The most recent analysis of the way search engines are used show that search queries, averaging five to eight words or more, increased by 3% month-to-month.  Shorter searches (one to three words) are down.

The figures below show that while most searches are still one to three words, people are getting more and more used to longer searches.  This means that the results they get tend to be more specific.  (The detailed figures below are from the US but there is no reason to think UK figures are any different).

Such results aid those companies that have posted the most, because whereas there will be millions of results for ”choosing coffee” there will be fewer that meet all the criteria of “choosing coffee for the office”.   Anyone who has written a web page or blog on “choosing coffee for the office” is likely to find themselves nearer the top of the list of hits.

Naturally the writing of such articles doesn’t in any way reduce your chances of getting near the top of an enquiry even if the reader is searching for one or two words – it is just that the more you put up, the more you are likely to be found by exactly the right person.

If you don’t have a blog and would like to put one up, we can help – there is information on http://www.hamilton-house.com/blogs – or call 01536 399 000.

Meanwhile here’s the full analysis of the current findings.

Hitwise search data

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Tony Attwood

Hamilton House Mailings Ltd reg number 2444392 VAT 354907535GB.  Phone 01536 399 000.