Top Search Queries Update

Somewhat in a shroud in mystery, Google has unveiled new functionality in their webmaster tools which is an update to the Top Search Queries section.

Without any fanfare or media blast, they have overnight seemingly revolutionized the way we can view and sort data in their Google Webmaster Tools application.

Some believe this is a fluke that Google would do this as its almost inconceivable that something so useful and transparent has been made readily available.

Admittedly, its somewhat like having the teacher’s test book at school.

Some of the changes and initial impressions are as follows:

First, the new Top Search Queries report is seemingly just a Google Analytics looking graph at first glance.

However, this graph plots your impressions and click throughs over a given period of time, and while this is not really a big improvement, what is under the graph starts to show the difference.

Under the graph is a much more detailed report that reflects impressions, click throughs, click through rate by query,  query’s position in the search results and also the click through landing page of a given search result.

You can change the date range of the report and filter the search report by keyword phrase now as well.

In addition, Google is also now showing more than the top 100 queries, and paginating the results.

A simple keyword ranking report this is not; in fact it solidifies how important being in the top three positions on Google.com really is. Also, the ability to find significant impressions in un-targeted long-tail traffic is key to helping grow a websites overall search clicks.

The importance of optimizing your titles and meta descriptions suddenly becomes crystal clear.

One of the other abilities you now have is the ability to see site wide instant penalties in action where the site either gains, stagnates or loses traffic from one day to the next.

The dropdowns also allow filtering by about 15 countries as well as by search type: All, Image, Mobile, Mobile (smartphone), and Web.

What does this mean to our industry?

Well the biggest benefit will be more accurate and faster changes to our client’s search engine initiatives.

Modifying and experimenting with the settings will allow virtual real time analysis and get the Google search rankings to rise in a shorter, more predictable period of time.

In addition, the reporting is much more detailed and provides a clearer picture of what historically changes have been an asset and what changes have not made much of a difference.

Is this top search queries update the “Holy Grail” or “magic bullet” we have been looking for?

Probably not, but it is definitely a significant leap in reporting and analysis from the mouth of Google itself.

Important to keep in mind is that the competition has these tools at their disposal as well; it may get to a point where mere usage is not enough and it becomes a question of experience and expertise.

Metamend has industry professionals with both the experience and expertise to properly get your online initiatives met.