With Google Instant in place, we now have to rethink our SEO tactics. What keywords do we target now? In a time where long-tail keywords are becoming more profitable, Google Instant may change everything. With the implementation of this new search enhancement, we now can consider one letter optimization. What do I mean you ask? First, let’s look at what Google Instant actually is.
Google Instant allows you to see the top search results as soon as you begin typing your search phrase. The moment you type one letter, results appear. Google estimates that before this feature, users typically waited 10-30 seconds for their search results. Instant takes 2-5 seconds off each search for users. In a world that is becoming increasingly impatient, this adds to the “I want it now” mentality of web surfers.
As internet marketers and entrepreneurs, we should look at this very carefully. The reason being is that people searching for information now have results right at their fingertips. The possible concern with this is those websites ranking well for long-tailed keywords. Google Instant utilizes more generic words/phrases. For example, if a site is ranking well for “buy computers online,” they may see a decrease in traffic as “buy computers” will now produce the desired results. As bloggers/website owners concerned with optimizing our pages, we now have to revert back to short keywords, even one letter optimization techniques. Example you ask? If a user types in the letter “G,” google maps is the first result. In essence, I should harness that knowledge to optimize my post/page.
However, the downside here is that generic phrases are more expensive. I don’t know about you, but I can’t compete with Google in budget for that top spot. I could compete maybe with a longer phrase such as, “Google makes me pay.” Same goes for other more popular short keywords. This all makes sense in my head!! So, for self optimizers, we need to wait and see how this plays out. The trends and effects will be more visible in the coming months. For a more in depth look at the ramifications, you can read Google Instant and SEO by Dave Davies.
Until the effects are more widely known, I for one am going to figure out how to optimize with the shorter phrases, even attempting to capitalize on that one letter search results. I don’t know exactly how yet, but I’m going to keep a close eye and let you know the results. I could tell you to go to the Google search box and type in each letter of the alphabet so you can see what pops up, but I found a resource for you. Check out the Google Instant Alphabet and see if this will affect you in any way.
I don’t need to, but I want to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think SEO will be affected by the GI?? <—-ha ha, I came up with that all by myself. You love it, I know. Seriously, your thoughts?
