Possible Insight into Buying Search Terms for Search Marketing
February 27th, 2009
Recently saw a new stat released by Hitwise regarding habit patterns of people entering search terms. It appears from the data that people’s search techniques and practices are getting more sophisticated.
Here’s how: Search terms are getting longer. Notice in the chart below the 22% increase in search terms of 8 words or longer.
This may shed new light on effective search engine marketing strategies as it relates to keywords.
Are any of you seeing this trend or playing to this trend in your search marketing efforts?
February 27th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Rich -
Interesting post and statistics. We’re seeing a similar trend in franchising. 5+ years ago, most people were using 1 - 3 word keyword searches like “franchise,” “pizza franchise,” etc. Now both interested investors and the companies marketing their franchise opportunity are getting more sophisticated. “Organic pizza franchise charlotte nc” for example. Our clients are seeing better click through ratios and end users and getting the information they need much more efficiently.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
To add to this post I recently read about Google has a SearchWiki that enables the end user to have a say in what should be ranked. If the user decides that the number one entry was not relative to there search they can either remove an unwanted link, reorder the rankings or request for a new link that the user thinks is more relevant to the search.
This is user specific and is really targeting individuals and there search habits. Pretty nifty.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
To answer the question, yes we realize how much the landscape is changing from a day to day basis and how our SEM plans for our clients need to be adjusted. It is key though to be consistent with your efforts and to be conservative when it comes to change. The internet is still very young and it changes to quickly to try every new trend.
Look at mobile phones for example, 2 years ago they barely had a presence on the web. Now they are starting to make marketing executives think about how a company can target the mobile users with location based advertising. Any GPS phone that uses google maps can easily find the nearest ATM, pizza parlor, and the list goes on and on. If you don’t have a way to get yourself recognized on that service then you are losing out on some customers.
Blogs were nothing amazing back in the 90’s. Now they make up a good chunk of how your website needs to me marketed. Video is another prime example, as well as social networks.(facebook, myspace, youtube)
What is going to be the big hit this year?
Who knows, only time will tell. In the mean time hold on to your hats because its going to be a very exciting year for the web and for mobile phones.