The other end of the internet.

[Uncle Dog]

From now on I think I'm going to start my searches from the other end of the internet.

If a site's not got unbelievable numbers of backlinks, doesn't do blogging or forum posts, has no room for adverts, doesn't own a hat of any description, would be confused by many of the ideas on WPW, for example, then... I'd like to see it. I suspect all the owner's time and effort will have been spent on being original and informative.

Do you really want to see, or be, #1 or #2 on any particular search engine. I'm rarely satisfied with what I'm spoon fed from those positions. OK, it's not a 'sponsored link', which I studiously ignore, but to me it's invariably the next worst thing.

Don't show me the money!

[deepsand]

For Google, that has increasingly been the case for several years now.

As I've previously and elsewhere noted, the masses are neither equipped for nor desirous of vetting that which is presented to them, are in a hurry for something, anything, and are most impressed by large quantities of listings.

Thus, for Google's purposes, quantity reigns over quality. Their true motto is "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit."

[weegillis]

I hate to say it, but most of the clicks from SERPs in logs across several sites are in 1-10 ro 11-20 position. Only about 5% are in lower positions. This tells me that the visitors to these sites aren't diggers.

On a history site that is no more, the search clicks were from much deeper, on average, with some even being in the 301-310 and higher range. People, it would appear, are searching with a much larger palette when they search for history or family, or other dialed in specific information. @Tubby probably likes this, since he specializes in 'out of print cars.'

For my own part being a hobbyist, I am also a Fabian, and tend to wait things out.

[deepsand]

I hate to say it, but most of the clicks from SERPs in logs across several sites ...
Whose SERPs?

Whose logs?

[weegillis]

Oh, yes, should have specified logs that I can study across several sites. SERP clicks from GYM, etc.

[Tubby]

I receive messages and emails all day long from my users (I should, as I have submit form by the hundreds on my sites)

I get excellent results from users that simply cannot find what they are looking for. This is quite often because they do not understand multiple word searches. .

A good proportion of these users are looking for scarce items. . The moment they see see my "list the parts you need" I can almost feel the sigh of relief as they hand the problem over to me.

It is not hard to pick them the first form submitted might say 'fender wanted' ten seconds later another form with the 'year and make' a twenty second break and their 'email address and phone number' arrive. . then another minute and I get the completed form with the NFP email tick box. I merely delete the failed attempts.

Google makes it hard to search sometimes - Webmaster should take advantage of users frustrations whenever possible.

My aim is to get them off the google roundabout - and arrive directly via their "favourites" box.

I get some silly search engine referrals - today for my 'California section' I snared these (all search sources)

1940 plymouth rocker panels
1973 chevy malibu for sale
www 1939 dodge 4 dor for sale in san fer
southern californiaclassiccars
1948 ford for sale classic car
www 1939 chevy master delux for sale in
california classic cars for sale
1953 chevy truck for sale in california

I do not really mind if google is unable to locate exactly what searchers are looking for. As long as they point users to my site - because I will locate them. If they ask!

Webmaster I think are making a mistake if they only pander to what google and other search engines are good at . . What search engines are bad at - creates opportunities for all webmasters.

[mjtaylor]

Love this thread. What a concept. I am going to try snooping around on page 3 or 4 ...

[deepsand]

On Big G, I frequently find that what I seek is buried, particularly for multi-word queries which allow of so many permutations that doing a double-quoted exact match search is impractical.

[cw1865]

Particularly when its comtext challenge, did a search today for 'prescription' (legal concept) and had to do some researcj just so that imcould search it better. Prescription/accretion/sovereignty did the trick, but overall i find google useful....helluva lot easier than the dewey decimal system?