39 replies to this topic

[integramed]

I use the Overture Keyword Suggestion Tool as a useful resource for keyword research. But, can anyone explain why is shows massive search volumes for such keywords as: google, google.com, yahoo, yahoo.com - People are using a search engine to locate a search engine? What's really being counted here?

[qwerty]

My first assumption was that people were using Google as a keyword in Overture ads (which would put them at risk for infringeing on the trademark), but that doesn't seem to be the case. A search for google only brings up one ad.

What seems more likely to me is that people still do something I've been seeing for years. Tell somebody to go to www.yahoo.com, and they'll open their browser, which takes them to MSN. There, they will enter "yahoo.com" in the search bar, MSN search will give them a link to Yahoo in the SERP, and they'll click on that. Seems crazy, but I think it's a pretty common practice.

[Vertster]

I have actually watched people do this! It confirmed one of the great mysteries for me. Some of my clients are not the most computer savvy people, and watching them browse the net, I have suggested they try looking on google, so they go into the AOL search window and search for google.com

[SearchRank]

My daughter does this, goes to Google and searches for "yahoo.com" so she can get her mail :upsidedown:

I guess lots of people do it. Go figure.

[Jill]

Yep, that's exactly it, many people don't know they can type an address directly into their browser.

Kinda funny, but true!

Jill

[integramed]

Thanks qwerty - I strongly suspect that is indeed the case. And in fact, it works with the MSN search box AND the IE address bar. Poeple could type Yahoo into either and get search results which allows them to navigate to the Yahoo site. But, this brings up a few interesting points:

1) volume is VERY high, so this is not something that's going away. In fact people seem to be doing more of it. A lot of "search" is just basic navigation?
2) why is Overture counting MSN and IE address bar searches in its Keyword Suggestion Tool stats?
3) Clearly, these are not real searches, they are simply "alternative navigation techniques".. what others might fall into this category?

[qwerty]

why is Overture counting MSN and IE address bar searches in its Keyword Suggestion Tool stats?

Search results at MSN are a mix of data from Inktomi, Looksmart, and Overture, so Overture counts that, along with searches on their other partner sites.

[Ron Carnell]

According to my logs, my domain name is my fifth highest ranking keyword. And I ain't complaining.

[compar]

3) Clearly, these are not real searches, they are simply "alternative navigation techniques".. what others might fall into this category?

I can't agree with that. IE has a "search" icon on it's tools bar. If someone clicks on this and types Google into the search line why isn't this a real search?

[DanThies]

Bob:

Maybe we need a "semantics" forum, and you can be the moderator.

[Scottie]

I guess it is time I told you guys- Bob (compar) isn't real.

He's an artificial intelligence Chatterbot I designed to find slight errors in matching intent to wording and exploit them. I think I did a pretty good job with him... may have to tone him down just a little.

[darciusrex]

scottie- are yoiu fer real?!?

I'm tired enough and gullible enought to believe almost anythig you tell me right now. Is compar really a chatterbot? Did you just kill Santa Claus?

[Jill]

LOL...of course it's true!

Jill

[DanThies]

Careful, y'all, I've still got all the source code for Mark V. Chaney. Don't make me turn him loose in the pub.

[integramed]

This whole thing is due to people searching on domain names as a navigation method. So, this means you could use the search frequency of your domain name (as reported by the Overture Suggestion Tool) as some kind of "visibility" measure - or at least a measure of the extent to which you've branded your domain name. I tried it on highrankings.com and got 147. We could call this DBM (Domain Branding Measure).. what's your DBM?