Top 3 in Google or nothing?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by MTBuckler, Jul 30, 2008.

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  1. #1
    I read an interesting article a while ago which listed the clickthru rates of the first page of search results. It stated that the first result will get a 42% CTR, with the 2nd result dropping to 12%. It inferred that positions 4-10 get virtually no traffic (unless it's a high traffic subject). Can this be true? I think their source was a leaked AOL document. If it is true, is it pointless settling for a 4-10 position, and would my time be better spent getting to #1 for a search term which perhaps doesn't get as much traffic?
     
    MTBuckler, Jul 30, 2008 IP
  2. loredan

    loredan Well-Known Member

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    #2
    loredan, Jul 30, 2008 IP
  3. RobPinnacle

    RobPinnacle Active Member

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    #3
    It really depends on the amount of volume that keyword gets. I know I'm not the only one that everytime I do a search I'll tab open the top 5 results, and browse through until I find what I'm looking for.

    Generally your best bet isn't to put all of your eggs in one basket and go for the biggest term on the block. I'd go for 4-5 smaller one's that your sure have OK volume, that you can easily rank first on.

    However, I am not an SEO consultant, I've just done linkbuilding :) and know NOTHING about on-page.

    Good Luck
     
    RobPinnacle, Jul 30, 2008 IP
  4. pingpong123

    pingpong123 Well-Known Member

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    #4
    I have heard that positions 7 through 10 and 1 through 3 get much better traffic then positions 4 through 6. Maybe its beause most viewers dont notice the middle of the page much? but you also have to get the rate of sales or click through rate of visitors to your site from each position.
     
    pingpong123, Jul 30, 2008 IP
  5. MattUK

    MattUK Notable Member

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    #5
    When I'm targeting client sites we always aim for the top three results. There is a marked dropoff on results further down the page.

    That's not true, position 10 gets marginally more traffic than position 9, but every other result is as you would expect.

    AOL released some Google click through data a few years ago by accident -
    http://www.jimboykin.com/click-rate-for-top-10-search-results/

    Click Rank1: 2,075,765
    Click Rank2: 586,100 = 3.5x less than ^
    Click Rank3: 418,643 = 1.4x less than ^
    Click Rank4: 298,532 = 1.4x less than ^
    Click Rank5: 242,169 = 1.2x less than ^
    Click Rank6: 199,541 = 1.2x less than ^
    Click Rank7: 168,080 = 1.2x less than ^
    Click Rank8: 148,489 = 1.1x less than ^
    Click Rank9: 140,356 = 1.05x less than ^
    Click Rank10: 147,551 = 1.05x more than ^
     
    MattUK, Jul 31, 2008 IP