Apr 12 2006
Search Engine Usage
A recent study on Search Engine User Behavior “found that 62% of search engine users click on a search result within the first page of results, and a full 90% of users click on a result within the first three pages of search results.” The last study was done in 2002, when the statistics reflected 48% and 81%, respectively. As a search engine marketer this once again reveals the importance behind appearing on the first few pages of search results.My question would be are users learning to dig deeper for more personalized results and are the search engines providing the users with better results?
This study, supported by iProspect (a search engine marketing firm) along with Jupiter Research, also revealed that searchers are not only loyal to a specific search engine but they’re increasingly using lengthier queries. Most searchers, 82% stay with the same search engine after an unsuccessful search and try again with more or different keywords versus changing search engines. “Just 68% stayed with the same engine in 2002.” We are now seeing a new brand loyalty to search engines. It sounds like the search tool bars are working, I know it does for me.
This study also found that 36% of the searchers polled believe that companies whose websites are returned at the top of the search results are the top companies in their field. Slightly more (39%) felt neutral on this question. But then 25% said that top search engine rankings had nothing to do with market or brand leadership. Searchers are becoming more seasoned and doing more personalized research. Therefore getting your web site to be spidered deeper so that it will be found for these customized searches is even more important. The information also supports gaining a better understanding of who and how your clients are finding you.
For the entire article and more statistics you may read the article at:
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3598011
Click this link for a full copy of the Search Engine User Behavior Study .