Google’s Universal Results for the Term “Health Insurance”
I got my first look at the inclusion of Google’s new Universal Search results today when I typed in the term “health insurance.” As you’ll notice from the picture below (click it to enlarge), the web results have been pushed down one spot by the Google News results, giving the web search results only 9 spots on the front page of Google.
I’d be curious to know how the addition of news results into the search engine results page (SERP) is affecting the amount of traffic that is making it to the #1 web search result (now #2 on the SERP). I have a feeling the news result, especially since it has to do with a new movie, will bring down the number of clicks the #1 web result (now number two on the page). My guess is that this type of integration will serve to be more distracting than helpful at this point.
Your thoughts?
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Comments
I don't agree there. I think it can be more helpful to the end user.
While news doesn't benefit folks who are trying to jockey for the top spots in the SERPs, if it's relevant, it is a good thing for the person conducting the search.
However, in your example, I think it is a waste to have entertainment news in such a query result.
But if there was a news story on legislation that would impact health insurance in some way, I think that would be helpful.
Posted by: Shawn Collins | May 22, 2007 06:57 AM
What I have found, since one of my insurance sites is the number one organic listing in Google, is that it does reduce the number of clicks - but I think it is caused by how close the number 1 organic result is to the bottom of the new block - There does not seem to be the same amount of "white space" as there is between normal organic results or when the paid results were listed at the top with a slightly different bg color... but that is just my $0.02
Posted by: Mark from Bloglyne.com | May 22, 2007 07:56 AM
Hey Shawn, thanks for the comment. Actually, I totally agree with you. When I say "this type of integration" I was referring to articles like the Michael Moore article showing up under "health insurance." If they are able to get the relevance of the news, video, image, etc. search up, I think the Google results will be more relevant than ever.
Mark - thanks for the insight. Is there any way you would be willing to share the search term you are drawing these observations from? Thanks!
Posted by: James Omdahl | May 22, 2007 04:36 PM