19 replies to this topic

[Alan Perkins]

BUT teoma is not giving them such a dominating presence and their are other websites up there mixed in with them

That matches my experience too.

Interesting that the word clustering (or anti-clustering) has always described this feature in the SERPs, yet they've never yet taken it to its logical conclusion.

Thanks for the welcomes, Mark and SEO Guy.

[excell]

And it's the little guys that have fuelled them all by paying their fees to list instead of realising the value of investing in their own unique web presence and making it the best it can be. It's a real shame in many ways.

[robwatts]

And it's the little guys that have fuelled them all by paying their fees to list instead of realising the value of investing in their own unique web presence and making it the best it can be. It's a real shame in many ways.

Yes, I think what has been a real master stroke for some of the big content providers is that they are now in a position to say to the little guys " Hey, we can distribute your hotel to x number of websites and fill your rooms for you very quickly" This is very attractive to little guy.

Little guy couldnt do this no matter how much time he invested, besides even if he could get his website to say, numero uno for his kw location, ultimately he could be more of a hindrance than an asset to the search engine user, simply because he can only offer a finite number of rooms/availabilty, the smaller he is the bigger this problem. The big provider on the other hand, by displaying 2 or 3 hundred properties for each kw search condenses that availability under a single SERP postion.

Part of the problem is that an increasing number of affiliates displaying more or less the same hotel content, are filling up the uppermost serps, which as has already been pointed out, is reducing the actual choice for the SE user.

That said, I think there are some quality affiliate sites out there who offer an interesting mix. IMO it is the affilaites who take the time to improve what they offer by way of options that add value, who will ultimately succeed.

Hi Alan

Edited by robwatts, 28 July 2003 - 09:35 AM.

[Jill]

Welcome, Alan! Great to see you here.

Great discussion guys. Wonder what Google is actually trying to do about all this...

Jill

[excell]

There are two types of accommodation seekers IMO (well there are many types in reality, but for the sake of argument)

1) want a bed for the night at the best rate
2) want an experience and don't care about the cost

type 1) are well catered for on the large/last minute/discount sites
type 2) are now beginning to suffer as they cannot find what they really want

ok ok.. we can go to the 4-5 or more key phrases but heck I think most people will just give up and go get the phone book or fall back on other off-line media.