Well, the news is out and it’s big this week—Google Instant Search is here and it’s now live. It’s a major change in the way Google presents search results to their visitors, and promises to cause at least some degree of change to how searchers actually search.
What is it, exactly? Basically, as a searcher types in their search phrase, Google instantly starts displaying search results based on what’s typed so far. The results continue to change as the user types in the full search query. The concept is definitely wise, in the fact that the search giant’s performance capabilities are much faster than users have experienced in the past. In fact, the bottleneck is really caused by how fast a searcher can type their search query. With this in mind, Google decided to change the way search works to speed things up and save time.
Like any change in the way Google does things, there’s always a lot of hub-bub and hoopla in the world of search engine optimization. Rightly so, I suppose—as even small changes in how a search leader like Google does search can have almost a butterfly effect across the web. But here’s the other truth of the matter…so often SEOs and webmasters panic with each new evolution.
But in the end, really not much happens other than visitors getting a better search experience overall. Widespread panic disappears just a fast as it takes place and the web world is back to normal in no time at all. At least, that’s how it usually works.
So, What’s Everybody Worried About?
Well, the doom and gloom crowd that is up in arms about this new search evolution says that SEO is practically dead because people will no longer search for long-tail keyword search phrases like they used to—instead they’ll settle on the first suggested that Google starts to present them with. In other words, they’re worried that Google is now going to influence searches and lead visitors to search in a way that will only benefit a select few sites.
Okay, so sure, that’s possible. But is the notion that SEO is dead really realistic? The answer is no.
Here’s The Flip Side Of The Controversy.
Let’s remember what Google wants—they want to their visitors, those that use their search engine, to have remarkably positive search experiences and come back again and again as loyal users of the service (they get to sell more advertising that way). And what does it take to keep visitors coming back?
The answer is dead simple: accurate, fulfilling search results.
Google wants their visitors to find great sites that provide exactly the kind of content the visitor is searching for. With this in mind, SEO is still very alive and well—because at its core, great content is what SEO is all about. SEO just strives to take that excellent content and organize & present it in a way that’s friendly and appealing to search engines and visitors alike.
With this all in mind, Google Instant Search will surely seek to ensure users find the great niche content they ultimately seek. If anything, Instant will actually help most website owners. Here at WSpider, it’s business as usual. Search is still alive and well!
