Google search bar is unproductive for smaller websites.

Discussion in 'AdSense' started by checksum, Aug 8, 2006.

  1. #1
    I've seen a lot of small websites that utilize the google search bar. I don't really get why they do this. Assuming you want to make money with adsense, the search bar will hurt you more than anything else. To make money with adsense you need people to click your placements, with a small website and a search bar you are almost suggesting they search for something else and leave the website. If anything you should replace the search bar with a referral for Firefox, if you aren't going to make a click with your adsense placements you might get lucky and find someone who wants Firefox.
     
    checksum, Aug 8, 2006 IP
  2. Rosking

    Rosking Peon

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    #2
    Hmm.. that's certainly something to think about. I get a fair few hits with the searchbar, but hardly any money. I guess it would be indeed better to remove them.
     
    Rosking, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  3. qwestcommunications

    qwestcommunications Notable Member

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    #3
    You do get a lot of low single digit search clicks.
     
    qwestcommunications, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  4. Yazari

    Yazari Peon

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    #4
    that's right .. google search is nothing for small websites :(
     
    Yazari, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  5. YokoOno

    YokoOno Guest

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    #5
    waste of time and efforts
     
    YokoOno, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  6. db4t

    db4t Peon

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    #6
    I have found one website using GG search to make profit. The site is a directory site.
     
    db4t, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  7. NewToAllThis

    NewToAllThis Peon

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    #7
    On a good day I get over 300 queries but the most I've made is about $2 from the search bar. :confused:
     
    NewToAllThis, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  8. oninuva

    oninuva Peon

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    #8
    I made zip with the search bar. All the clicks from it are worth zip.
     
    oninuva, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  9. UncleD

    UncleD Peon

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    #9
    I haven't heard of anyone making much with it.
     
    UncleD, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  10. jmman

    jmman Peon

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    #10
    I used to consider google search bar a waste of space, but lately I've started getting some clicks from it and each of them is >$1.
     
    jmman, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  11. Ganceann

    Ganceann Peon

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    #11
    It really depends on your site content and the ads that are served from the resulting search query... it also helps when your site is fully indexed in the main site so your users may actually benefit from it and return!!!.

    The main advantage of the search is not the monetary value it gives (or doesn't give in most cases), but the *information* that you can then use.

    How is search beneficial?

    Simple answer, it tells you what your visitors are looking or expecting to find - consequently you can then add to your site and deliver a better, more informative and overall more useful customer experience that will bring you higher levels of repeat traffic.
     
    Ganceann, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  12. checksum

    checksum Notable Member

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    #12
    This is true. I was talking more about small content websites that are not likely to update much.
     
    checksum, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  13. abcdefGARY

    abcdefGARY Well-Known Member

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    #13
    well, it certainly is a nice feature to have... I know I always search on sites, so...
     
    abcdefGARY, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  14. chachacallis

    chachacallis Well-Known Member

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    #14
    yes the search bar encourage user to leave your site when the do a search but i still leave it on mys site as you can get lucky and get a click.
     
    chachacallis, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  15. Kitarist

    Kitarist Peon

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    #15
    yep thats true ehe :D :D
     
    Kitarist, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  16. scopeweb

    scopeweb Guest

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    #16
    Nice thread...

    I was considering thr pros and cons of putting a google search onto my site. After reading this thread I will give it a miss!

    Thanks guys!
     
    scopeweb, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  17. Ganceann

    Ganceann Peon

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    #17
    The main consideration people have as to whether they should put the google search on their website, is whether their website is fully indexed in the main results.

    If a website is only in the supplmental index, then it will make for a poor visitor experience when they use the site search option... and may result in that visitor blanking the site completely in future. After all, would you visit a site that returned no results in a site search for a common word?
     
    Ganceann, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  18. tykouk

    tykouk Peon

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    #18
    I sometimes get much higher paying clicks from the search queries since many advertisers don't run adwords directly on sites, only searches.
     
    tykouk, Aug 11, 2006 IP
  19. Crusader

    Crusader Peon

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    #19
    Well, with the new "show search results on my page" option in Adsense for search, this isn't such a big problem, depending of course on how your visitors react.

    From my experience people will be much more likely to open sites linked in the search results in new windows/tabs. That means they still remain on your page. If your site offers something better than the rest they'll visit for a longer period.

    Also, my main reason for using the search feature is to allow people to search my own site for content, making it easier for them to find what they are looking for.
     
    Crusader, Aug 27, 2006 IP