You guys are hilarious! LOL Along those same lines... my mother is a webtv user (very limited). She uses the internet to talk to my sister and I via email, and to frequent a gardening forum - no business. Anyway, she mentioned to me one time that she does a search, and then goes to the top of page 2 to start looking at the results - "because the first page is all paid listings" she said to me. Not true, but an interesting assumption from a 'basic home user'! I cant deny that I've had some great success with #8-#10 listings on the main page of the results - and even better at #11 (which is #1 on page 2). Of course, nothing beats results from listings above the fold My sister on the other hand (another basic home user) is the most specific Googler I have ever met in my life. Her search results generally contain ONE listing (LOL) - that's how obscure and specific her searches are. She was telling me about something one day and she said "Just Google it. Type in something PLUS something PLUS something PLUS something and it'll pop right up!" haha I find it interesting to hear how basic home pc users approach the search engines... and what their thoughts are about "us"
I think I have to disagree with this thread. Google has been giving me the best and most relevant results of all the SEs. However I havn't tried Ice Rocket yet.
I have also always had the best (i.e., most on target/relevant) results with Google. I think Lynn Terry's point about many people not knowing HOW to search is an important one. Even with Google, while I can usually find what I want first time out or on the 2nd attempt with a slight modification of the search string, other people I know (including family members) seem to sturggle with not knowing what to type in that search box or how to modify a search term if the first attempt doesn't yield what they want.
You talking about bolean expressions right? Using quotes or plus and minus signs. I doubt a lot of people use those.
No, not Boolean expressions... just a good combination of words. I don't fully understand it because I think the way I search is intuitive -- I don't understand what it is that others do differently or why I can almost always find the information on the first attempt while others struggle.
So your saying you just use more specific searches like cross cut paper shredder instead of just paper shredder for example. I think the more specific you can be with your search phrase then the more relevant results ou will get.
Basically, yes, I guess. I do type in two to four word phrases as a matter of course. And often with a location - like hotels ottawa instead of hotels.
Speaking of which, (from the other end of the scenario) I find that obscure 3-5 word phrases convert better too...
I can relate. And here's a good example: I got up this morning and couldnt find my teaspoon measurer to put together a dose of medicine for my daughter, so I went straight to Google and asked: http://www.google.com/search?&q=how+many+teaspoons+are+in+a+tablespoon What I got back was exactly what I needed. Nothing more, nothing less!
Since it seems like a lot of people's girlfriends are the ones having trouble with the whole SERPs I decided that I would teach a google for girlfriends class. These one on one sessions will take place in my home with soft music playing to help relax the mood of searching and soft lighting to keep stress levels down. Also, no actual time will be spent in front of the pc because true searching comes from within. If anyone is interested in these classes just send me a PM with a pic of your girlfriend.
My girlfriend or should I say my wife, knows how to search the internet fairly well and also happens to think that Yahoo sucks. Her mom is the one that needs help with the whole SERPs.
It definitely is the best way to search by going to page 5 first (Us marketers not going to have to work as hard now )