NONE: Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Search Engine Optimization = Waste of Time
Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Search Engine Optimization = Waste of Time
richard_at_tenagra.com
Thu, 12 Nov 1998 18:25:33 -0600 (CST)
MARSHALL D. SIMMONDS <MDS_at_MMGCO.COM> WROTE:
>"80% of all user sessions start at a search engine." -Cyber
>Atlas/Search Engine Watch
>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It also came out in ICONOCAST today that 56% of people find
out about sites through search engines (Source: Jul. 1998
NetSmart IV).
But does this mean 56% of people doing keyword searches find
the sites? Or does it mean they saw a link within one of the
sections of a search engine, which are compiled by editors?
I have the same question about the statistic Marshall
offers. 80% of all user sessions start at a search engine.
Ok. How the heck do you define a session start?
My point is that there are lots of links within search
engines nowadays that the placement of which have absolutely
nothing to do with how the site ranks. These listings are
determined by editors, individual users (my yahoo, my
excite, etc.) and in some cases are ads made to
look like editorial. Thus search engine optimization
techniques have no impact.
Saying that 80% of all users start at a search engine, or
that 56% of people find sites through search engines, has
little meaning unless you have an understanding of HOW
people are using search engines. It ain't just typing in a
keyword anymore.
I offer that in the near future, prominent link placement
will be much more an media relations/advertising problem, rather
than a technical problem. In their rush to become "portals",
search engines are starting to look a heck of a lot like
online publications. In that world, it will be editoral
judgement and the drive for ad revenue that will determine
link placement.
richard
--------------------------------------------------------
richard hoy
moderator, online advertising discussion list
vice president, marketing and client promotions
the tenagra corporation
http://www.tenagra.com/
p: 281.480.6300 | f: 281.480.7715 | e: rhoy_at_tenagra.com
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