Google Instant: An SEO Game Changer?
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Today Google unveiled Google Instant, described as “search before you type,” which predicts what you are searching for and instantly shows results as you type.
Google claims that instant will make searching faster, as little as 2 to 3 seconds, smarter since Google’s predictions will help you even if you don’t quite know what it is you are searching for, and that the results will be instant since they show up as you type, there’s no need to hit the enter key.
Here is what happened when I typed in “gas gr.”
In the past Google has shown suggested search terms based on what you type, but the difference with Google Instant is that the search results of the first suggestion is displayed while you type. It seems to me that most keyword research strategies don’t take into account these suggestions, and most keyword research tools crunch the data from Google’s Keyword data which is based on actual queries.
Now that it isn’t even necessary to hit enter when a searching I want to know if Google will incorporate the suggested search terms into their keyword tool results. And it seems to me that from this point on any accurate keyword research will have to take the suggested keywords into account.
SEO’s across the web are debating whether this is a good or bad thing for SEO,
In case you missed it, here is Google’s video propaganda on the launch of Instant:
Great post. How do you think this will impact paid search? It appears to put more emphasis on the sponsored listings. Will increased impressions effect quality score?
I’m guessing search behavior is about to change significantly. Will anyone ever go to page two? How will organic positions below the fold fair? How will keyword search volume change?
It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the next few months.
Keep up the great posts!
IMO, it was necessary for Google to come up with something new and game changing as Google Instant. With Yahoo and Bing joining forces against Google, it was expected. Google Instant is their tactic to stay in the game. If it affects SEO, marketing, the way people search, then we just have to deal with it.