A recent study conducted by search marketing firms Enquiro and Did-it, using eye tracking firm Eyetools focused on examining the eye movement of readers performing search on Google.
What were the conclusions?
- People look/scan the result pages in a "F" form reading across the top of the page, loosing interests as they scroll down.
- In organic search results the top 3 had the best chance, this decreasing to 50% at position 6, 7 and a mediocre 20% at Rank 10.
- Sponsored links stats where even worst with 50% for the top position decreasing quickly to 20% by listing number 4.
Keep in mind the study was conducted on only 50 test-users.
An article covering more details on the results can be viewed on Search Engine Watch or even better, you can go straight to the source on Enquiro's website.
Like Darren Barefoot, I am of the opinion that organic search engine positioning can still be achieve and I also have faith in Google's algorithms. It will continue to challenge SEO specialists for years to come.
Pay per click campaigns to me are the same as playing poker
[A lyric quotation from Kenny Rogers' song "The Gambler" is omitted here.]
Sorry, I've been looking for a way to let my Kenny days out...
But seriously, sometimes it is worth to spend a few dollars ($30) per month to attract traffic. Sadly, your $30 could be all spent by "empty click" and probably better spent on a great meal of Pho with fiends. (my "poker" analogy...)
I leave you with Chris Sherman's conclusion from the SEW article:
"A well-balanced search marketing campaign should incorporate both well-crafted search engine optimization efforts as well as paid listings"
I couln't have said it better. But, isn't that what we've been saying all along?