Omaha SEO Companies understand the dynamics driving vertical positioning on Google SERPs for organic listings, but Big Red SEO doesn’t expect you to understand how vertical positioning ties into traffic, and ultimately conversions, so we’ve provided some insight below that will help.
Vertical positioning of organic results will vary. Almost every SEO firm and webmaster forum in the world touts getting a #1 organic ranking on Google as the ultimate goal. Why?Studies have shown that a viewer’s eye spans the top few left positions on search queries more prominently than those below the fold, or the sponsored ads to the right of the page.It just makes sense that if you’re on page two, traffic will suffer and consequently, so will your website conversions.
As advertising and locals became more prevalent, vertical results became increasingly complex. Today, Google is de-emphasizing social search in favor of its Knowledge Graph, while Bing is going the opposite direction. Google appears to be shifting to personal/semantic search. However, both still offer a mix of the two. Consequently, a #1 ranking isn’t what it used to be in terms of vertical positioning, with some organic top listings now showing BELOW the fold.
For True SERPs Turn Off Personalization!
As an Omaha SEO Company, we often get the question, “Why are my results showing different than what you state?” When checking for vertical positioning, be sure to turn personalization OFF. The Search Engines such as Google listened to end users when they asked for personalization to their browser. Now Google and a few others capture your shopping habits and interests as you are browsing the web. To accurately check vertical positioning for the #1 position across thousands of keywords, you need to turn off personalization, allowing results to be rendered automatically in a Chrome browser. Omaha SEO Companies use varying methods to spot check their client’s organic vertical SERPs position. Screenshots are sometimes used, and while somewhat crude, these are effective. Others detect #1 organic ranks programmatically and inject code to update their databases.
What are some variables that can factor into vertical positioning of organic search results?
• Search bars like the Google Plus Bar can push vertical positioning down
• SERPS with zero, one, two, or three ads. It’s notable that 55% of SERPS contain ads.
• Rich SERPS features that take up a good portion of SERPS real estate above the fold.
For organic listings, video results are currently integrated by Google, as well as blended or pack local results. The blended and park results mean that local business will show along with their address and phone number. Usually marked as A, B, C and so forth.
How Important is it to be #1 on Google Organically?
It’s becoming increasingly important to be #1 on Google organically because more and more real estate is being consumed by ads and rich SERPS features. Beyond that, users are beginning to find what they’re looking for more frequently on page one, so much so that visits to page two have diminished to less than 7 percent. It’s become critically important to factor in other SEO metrics like organic traffic rather than simply shooting for #1. The bottom line really should be, increased (relevant) traffic that results in conversions.
Contact Big Red SEO at (402) 522-6468 Today!
Need help maximizing (organic) vertical positioning on Google queries for your products or services? Contact Big Red SEO, an Omaha Search Engine Optimization Company. Our mission is to help businesses be found where their customers are looking. More than ever, potential customers are searching for services in their local area. We help you get the results you deserve.