I think your prediction is way off the mark. Search in its current form isn't going anywhere. A simple solution to a problem (finding information) is often the best approach, and I can guarantee you that as far as conversions are concerned - organic search traffic will outperform social traffic. Most people on FB are there to kill boredom and socialize, not to buy stuff. Yeah a lot of people use FB. But that in and of itself doesn't make Google irrelevant for search.
I truly hope you are correct. Why Google lost marketplace to Amazon it bothers me. Everything was in Google's hands.
Now people go directly to Amazon to search for products, not Google. It was Google dominating before Amazon.
People are not just searching for products online. And no, Amazon is not the only online retailer, but like you say, due to their brand power, people think of them when buying books, etc.
Maybe his target market is a webmaster though? In which case their abandoning Google is important. For my two main projects the target market is the non-tech-savvy consumer and with them, Google is still king. Americans might, but not everyone is targetting the American consumer.
Exactly, that's what I wanted to say. When it comes to "how-to's" questions nobody goes to Amazon. Or even Bing. I know there are staunch supporters of Bing and Yahoo out there, but I prefer Google over them hands down. And the notion that Google is a dying brand is ridiculous. It'll outlive all of us.
Qw you might think that way, but the way it's going.... Google optimization is no longer my priority as a business. I focus on the product side on Amazon review groups, which are more social than anything. Google is gone for me. People go to Google to get information and not pay, I am not after that waste. Why would I optimize for that, I am not a charity organization. I see your site... You want to be optimistic about Google... Amazon took over, that's unavoidable and companies like yours have no survival chance. Nobody goes to Google for "buy" - it's taken over by Amazon. How to's don't pull out their credit card to pay... Amazon is by far bigger than "buying books"... Books on Amazon used to be many years ago. Now it's everything... Google is done in "buy" place. Not only in US, Amazon is taken over worldwide. Google lost big time on that one. Another thing, encrypting keywords was a sneaky way of preventing the world to know real volume of searches declining. Good job. Brilliant idea. Keeps the stock price going well I guess... Sure you can still be in denial about Googe, but I am selling my Google stock and probably drop it on Amazon, Facebook and Tesla. Certainly Google is on the risk side for me now.
Yep, we've never had a customer say they used Amazon to search for us before having to resort to Google. Google is always their first choice. But that's our niche. Your niche will be different and thats why you have to do business planning to ensure you know just how your target market behaves.
People use Google to do research before buying stuff, especially expensive items. Most people in Australia only use Amazon to buy books. It is never used in normal conversation like Google/Facebook, Amazon is pretty much irrelevant here.
It seems the op is sour.... He lives in a competitive world, and seems to be blaming everyone else because he cant make it. He blames google for not warning him about security of his site that he is 100% responsible for...You are in google's house, and they simply owe you zero explanation; You are just a guest... If you have a problem with terms of google, then block them... however, I bet that you dont have them blocked, do you? Even though you claim you can get by without them... If that is the case, then good for you; Id rather get traffic from any method that can bring traffic, including google... He complains about investing money as if starting or running a business venture is "free" sure in the 90s-2000 or so, you could get away with all sorts of free spammy methods.... The only thing I have not seen so far is: "Why hasnt google made my dinner yet..." One thing you are not wrong. The world is getting more, and more competitive. In five years, those long tails available now, may not be, and five years after that, even less long tails will be available, and companies are starting to think about long tails also, why just just go after "apple" when we can focus on long tail keywords; They will figure it out, then they will start to close the gap on long tails simply because they are profitable, and as the years go by, then you will see more, and more big companies soaking up more, and more of the long tail keywords, and the gap will narrow.... long tail keywords available now, may not be in the next 10 years.... I know of a site right now that you would never beat, no matter what long tail keyword you use, you will run across this site, and he is not big business... however, he is a big affiliate site that has been around for 10+ years.... In order to even compete with him, you may have to try a sub-niche.... (sure if you have been putting content out for the last 10 years, hahah..) It is what it is... so your complaints are pointless.... Maybe you would be more happier if you got offline, and found yourself a job, being online isnt for everyone... Op, you want an idea how competitive it can be? I saw a video not to long back on the success of an affiliate. He claimed he got into the health niche, and he invested $1000/mo for 2 years before he started making money.... and this is just to give you an idea; It could take you years to become profitable... but hey, its google's fault, right?
You are so right, there are so many self entitled people online. It is all about making easy money without doing the hard work. And then reality slaps them in the face.
Seems like so many experts here who assume they know it all. How do you know that I have not been around. I can tell you I made over $3M in the past 5 years online. Will that make you re-think what you just told me? Why people always assume they are better... That's weakness....
I see posts like yours all time... you are mad at the world... you are upset people are making it... you are upset that you are not.... then get defensive by making "wild" claims. ie: I made $3m...(ROFL...) however, you are here complaining about how its googles fault.... You not the first, you wont be the last, people come here all the time complaining about how they setup their site, and wondering how come it is not paying dividends... People think by just setting up a site, then they are done, however, truth be told, your nightmare has just started, break out the wallet, work your site, and if you are lucky, then maybe your site will start paying out in a few years.... (and still, there are no guarantees your site will make it...) I already have your number... 1-800-I-Blame-Google-For-My-Failure If that line is busy, try our 2nd number.... 1-800-I-Blame-Everyone-Else-For-My-Failure I know it is a little long... for you, very easy to remember... ps. I am not an expert. I recently spent $1000 on my site, and I am not even online yet, and I am under no illusions that my site will make money anytime soon, in fact, it could take many months to a few years.... (and that is if my site succeeds at all....) My best advice for you is: Log off, never come back, and go find a job.... In my opinion, you are nothing more then a troll blaming the world.
@dscurlock - wow you write a lot... LOL... Tell me what you are smoking and I will smoke it 2.... Thanks for the advise.... If you are serious about what you just typed up - WOW dude you need some help.... Peace out...
If you are making $3 Million in past 5 years than Why you blame Google and Others? instead of sharing your experience and Knowledge. You are just chanting that everything is worse in online world and you are a victim of it. Come on Man be practical and share something valuable. people hates to heard and listen hate speeches.
I could have made more if Google people would not ban my site for no reason. I am nothing but angry because of that.... They allowed other, spammers, to take my spot and doing absolutely nothing to them... I would love to share and teach others, but I get trolled away for some reason.
Thing is, it's not like there's a limited number of long tail phrases in the universe. Every time a new product is released or there's some new event or phenomenon, it will bring a new set of search phrases with it.