Comments on: New Generation Search : My Thoughts

By: Jodi Suguitan

Jodi Suguitan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:35:51 +0000

The amount of data that google is collecting is amazing. It would make sense for google to increase the sophistication of their search engine by apply many of the metrics they are already recording. Just the other day, as proof of google’s god like power, I read in the news that they were taking searches for flu symptoms and using them to identify areas where break outs were happening. They were more accurate than the CDC.

By: Eric Blackwell

Eric Blackwell — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:47:08 +0000

@ Eric Bramlett- Thanks for dropping by! Yep. I was not able to attend PubCon, but I would agree with Greg’s assesment of Universal Search. I would also subscribe to the notion that stickier sites (read: lower bounce rates) will get better love from search engines.

It is pretty obviously not coming directly from Google Analytics’ version of bounce rate, but I am convinced they are measuring it and that it matters.

By: Eric Bramlett

Eric Bramlett — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:01:38 +0000

Hey Eric –

As usual, I agree with you. There’s been a lot of talk about Bruce Clay’s presentation (which I did not attend,) and I would go so far as to say there’s been too much talk about it. I did attend a session where Greg Boser spoke about universal search – his presentation said, “Here’s what universal search is. Don’t worry about it. Crank your traditional SEO.” I completely agree with that. In the service industry, it’s important to be cognizant of local search, but you’re going to see your biggest ROI from traditional, old school, link building.

Remember, as well, that universal search is NOTHING new. SEO speakers have been yelling that the universal search sky is falling for a couple of years now.

Now, one aspect of search that was quietly talked about at Pubcon was user behavior affecting search results. It’s now generally accepted among SEO’s that I respect that Google is using bounce rate to affect SERPs. Bottom line? Make sure you have a sticky site, and you’ll rank. I really don’t understand why no one is discussing that bombshell.