Search Engines Theory/Possibility?

[JuniorOnline]

The majority of the sites that are ranking high, tend to the take the user deeper and deeper into their internal content.

Since no one understands or know how the Algo for search engines work - could there be the possibility that for natural search the engines actually base a % of their ranking on the clickthrough rate?

[ctabuk]

No, Ask Jeeves - Maybe - it certainly likes the busier sites -but as for click through, if that was the case then the PPC advertisers would stop advertising simply through spam hits.

[williamc]

If the engines were to use clikthru data at all it could only be from their own listings to the first page of the site ranking, and that has been tested rather well by several people and shown to not be used currently. The engines have no way of tracking clicks from the landing page to other pages in your site.

[JuniorOnline]

ahaa!! that makes sense william.. didnt think of that! do you think Google new metric tool will use that against us? ;)

[williamc]

They cant if we dont use it. :P

[JuniorOnline]

which really means - if we do? we are in big trouble ;)

[brian.mark]

You're saying that visitors don't like your site if you think you'll have trouble by using it. Is that really the case? Personally, I could only see a boost from using it, as our visitors actively engage our site and do a TON of browsing around. We get a low percentage of bouncing visitors.

So, do your visitors dislike your site or are you doing blackhat stuff? Those are the sites that should think twice about the analytics data being in Google's hands.

Brian.

[williamc]

Originally Posted by brian.mark

You're saying that visitors don't like your site if you think you'll have trouble by using it. Is that really the case? Personally, I could only see a boost from using it, as our visitors actively engage our site and do a TON of browsing around. We get a low percentage of bouncing visitors.

So, do your visitors dislike your site or are you doing blackhat stuff? Those are the sites that should think twice about the analytics data being in Google's hands.

Brian.

Brian please notice the :P smilie after my post. It was said in jest.

[JuniorOnline]

but - there is no law stopping google from using the data. And whats more? they are getting it for free with no consent!

I always wondered why would someone give away something free? and the answers always comes back to the fact (nothing is free). There is always something taken in return. It would be nice if they highlight what will be taken in return...

[cspelts]

Originally Posted by brian.mark

You're saying that visitors don't like your site if you think you'll have trouble by using it. Is that really the case? Personally, I could only see a boost from using it, as our visitors actively engage our site and do a TON of browsing around. We get a low percentage of bouncing visitors.

So, do your visitors dislike your site or are you doing blackhat stuff? Those are the sites that should think twice about the analytics data being in Google's hands.

You know, this brings up an interesting question for me. One of my sites has a high bounce rate. A large percentage of users visit twenty or more pages, but the next largest percentage clicks away after viewing only one page. I've never been at all concerned because overall the traffic is good, and the overall page views per user is good. I don't see it as users not liking my site - some find what they're looking for and others realize right away they're not in the right place!

I have a good stats program, so haven't jumped in with Google Analytics yet - but have been considering it. But if that bounce rate might hurt my rankings later on, I'd definitely reconsider.

What do you think brian.mark?

[brian.mark]

Wow... someone wants to know what I think? ;-)

According to Google, when asked directly in Chicago at SES, they have no plans to use the analytics data in conjunction with rankings. At some point in the future, if something looks odd (i.e. points out potential blackhat stuff), it may trigger a closer look, but it won't directly affect rankings.

WilliamC, sorry for not understanding the :P

Originally Posted by JuniorOnline

but - there is no law stopping google from using the data. And whats more? they are getting it for free with no consent!

They have consent. You have to add code to your pages and agree to their T&C, which includes giving consent.

Originally Posted by JuniorOnline

I always wondered why would someone give away something free? and the answers always comes back to the fact (nothing is free). There is always something taken in return. It would be nice if they highlight what will be taken in return...

They also spelled this out at SES in Chicago. I don't remember the name of the Google rep that said it, but here is his quote:

Originally Posted by Google Rep with forgotten name

AdWords spend is directly related to analytics adoption. We don't care which analytics tool you use, just get signed up for one.

Knowing that people with analytics spend more in ads, and knowing that ads are their primary income source, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why they're giving it for free.

Brian.

[williamc]

Originally Posted by brian.mark

Knowing that people with analytics spend more in ads, and knowing that ads are their primary income source, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why they're giving it for free.

Brian.

Especially if Google decides to add some extra features to the analytics such as adword keyword tracking and ROI features.

[brian.mark]

Originally Posted by williamc

Especially if Google decides to add some extra features to the analytics such as adword keyword tracking and ROI features.

That's integrated if you set up your eCommerce data. Very cool - at the keyword level and showing broad match terms as well as the standard keywords, all broken out and nicely displayed.

Brian.

[cspelts]

Originally Posted by brian.mark

Wow... someone wants to know what I think? ;-)

According to Google, when asked directly in Chicago at SES, they have no plans to use the analytics data in conjunction with rankings. At some point in the future, if something looks odd (i.e. points out potential blackhat stuff), it may trigger a closer look, but it won't directly affect rankings.

I almost always want to know what you think! You know what you're talking about, you always back it up by acknowledging your sources, and you don't get snippy. You're one of the best!

Thanks for the info - I'm a little more inclined to try it now.