http://dreamwebservices.net/serps/ is all about explaining how the Search Engine Result Pages - SERPS work and how the algorithm of big search engines like Google affect the ability to get pages indexed and ranked on the 1st page of the search results.

1. SERPS javascript:parent.pf.iframeContent()
SERPS
http://dreamwebservices.net/serps/ February 01, 2011
The Acronym SERPS, also known as SERP is derived from the phrase “Search
Engine Results Page(S)” This is the term that describe what a user on the
internet will retrieve whenever they input a specific search query into any Search
Engine such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. Google is the largest of all the Search
Engines, In fact, more than 60% of all Searches done on the internet happen on
Google.
Since Google is the King of the SERPS, it would then be a logical next step to
focus SEO efforts with Google. Bing Would be the 2nd choice and finally Yahoo.
However, it is arguable these days if Yahoo is even worth putting much time into
since they currently have a 10 year contract with Bing to get the SERP data from
Bing. Yahoo puts it’s own filters and spin on Bing’s data and delivers what a user
sees in Yahoo SERPS. Therefore, without question, more than 90% of all internet driven search goes through Google and Bing.
Let’s focus on Google’s SERP so we can get an idea of what the page feel like, at least at this point in time. One thing for certain is
the ever changing algorithm which the search engines have, most of which are all under the hood and not very visible. The search
engines do not disclose the rules of how the changes they made affect search query results. This makes it a difficult task for the
average company to know how to achieve high page rankings due to the game constantly modifying.
Google currently had its last major algorithm transformation June of 2010 and called it Caffeine. Interestingly enough, even a great
number of SEO pros were stumped for a few weeks to a few months on how to get their clients in the first page of the SERP
consistently. The Search Engine Optimization experts who were really up on their skills, figured out the algorithm quickly and were able
to get their clients to the primary results page for their niche key words. Thus, they took an advantage and got a real nice head start
on those who could not figure out the rules of the new game that this algorithm change brought.
Then in early September of 2010, Google launched a very visible change to the interface of their search engine experience. Google
called this new feature “Google Instant”. As those who use Google Search understand, Google Instant will auto populate the search
bar as the user is typing out their intended Search Query. This is powerful for the user as it can help remind them of something they
can’t exactly remember how to spell as they are attempting to type it out. Of course, the negative of this is that it injects too much
prejudice for certain companies that have more authority, thus squashing out the little guy in the process of injection this automation
feature.
Regardless of the good and bad of this new feature, “Google Instant” is here to stay for now. So if you look at the Search Engine
Results Page picture below, you will notice I have highlighted the Search Query box Green, the PPC (Pay Per Click) sections Red and
the Organic Results Blue. The Red Boxes are where a business would show up if they were paying for advertising through Google’s
Adwords program. It is a cost per action structure. This means that you will pay by each click people have on your ad, not by the
number of page impressions it gets shown on.
Users may click on the PPC ads, but where the real action is in the Blue Box. Organic Results are where it is at if you want to
maximize exposure and profit. Realize that PPC is costing you money to be on the pages you show up on. It is a good strategy to
develop a niche, but not where you want to be for that niche long term. That is just plain foolish and very costly. Keep in mind that
statistics shows a 73% click-through rate for the top 5 Organic Results combined.Click-through is when a user actually clicks away
from the Search Engine Results Page and “Clicks Through” to a different Domain which is shown in the results.
Organic Results #6 through #10 have about a 16% combined click-through rate. Think about that for a moment. This means that the
combined PPC ads, no matter how many are on the page must share in roughly 11% of the pages click-through traffic. That is crazy
when you realize you are paying at an increasing sliding scale to compete with up to 10 other businesses for the same Niche Traffic.
Now many of your reading this just had the Epiphany “Aha!” experience a moment ago. You now can clearly see why SEO is a must in
all businesses who wish to maximize their profits online.
1 of 2 2/1/2011 4:49 AM

2. SERPS javascript:parent.pf.iframeContent()
2 of 2 2/1/2011 4:49 AM