Posts Tagged ‘The Search Agency’
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
 Smartphones and tablets drove almost a quarter of total clicks in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to The Search Agency. But the gain in mobile clicks did not come at the expense of desktop search.
“With ongoing advancements and multiple lower priced tablet options being introduced into the market, it’s no surprise traffic on these devices continues to increase,” said Keith Wilson , vice president of agency products at The Search Agency.
“But, while our advertisers’ spend on mobile and tablets is increasing, it’s not at the expense of desktop. In fact, data shows that desktop searches remained level over the last two quarters, underscoring the trend that search is steadily growing overall.”
Tablets see record searches; surpass mobile ad spend
The introduction of a number of new tablet models and record sales growth spurred on huge growth in both tablet use and advertiser spend.
Tablet click share in Q4 more than doubled YoY and jumped 16 percent from Q3, and smartphones and tablets combined drove 23 percent of total clicks in Q4 2012, an 89 percent increase YoY. The last quarter of 2012 marked the first time in which share of spend on tablets exceeded spend on smartphones (8.5 versus 7.1 percent of total spend).
Google and Yahoo!-Bing Network continue to see growth; Google leads in mobile
 Search engine advertising continues to show healthy growth as impressions in Q4 2012 grew 11 percent YoY and total clicks grew 4 percent. Total clicks on Google increased 4 percent YoY and cost per click (CPC) rose 7 percent from $0.55 to $0.59.
Bing also showed a 4 percent growth in click traffic, with a 15 percent increase in average CPC YoY. Bing’s mobile impression share and click share increased, but is still substantially less than Google’s impression and click share overall.
Google continued to see more paid clicks coming from mobile devices with 25.9 percent of its total clicks coming from tablets and smartphones in Q4, compared to 12.6 percent for Bing.
Product Listings accounted for more than 14 percent of spend on Google
Product Listing Ads (PLAs) continued their strong growth in Q4 2012, accounting for 14 percent of retailers’ total spend on Google in Q4, a 236 percent increase from the previous quarter. Specifically, retailers spent more than 9 percent of their PLA budget on tablets and smartphones, an 80 percent increase from Q3.
Retail surged on mobile during the holidays, but click volume declined YoY
In the retail sector, mobile click share increased from 14.3 percent in Q4 2011 to 26.1 percent in Q4 2012. Retail volume was the driving factor for Q4 growth in comparison to Q3 2012, with a 20 percent increase in click traffic. However, YoY click volume declined 6 percent.
“The holidays brought on big numbers in mobile retail searches but we saw click volume decrease overall – possibly because of uncertainty from the presidential election and the natural disasters that affected the Northeast,” added Wilson.
Tags: Bing, clicks, desktop search, Google, Q4 2012, smartphones, tablets, The Search Agency
Posted in Digital Devices, Georgia, Internet/New Media, Microsoft, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports | No Comments »
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
 The use of “second screens,” whether tablet, computer or smartphone is prevalent among all age groups, but more so among the younger generation, and while single folks prefer smartphones, tablets are more popular with couples. So says the 2012 Online User Behavior and Engagement Study from The Search Agency.
Conducted online by Harris Interactive in August among 2,006 US adults, the study found distinct differences in online and offline behavior between various age groups, indicating multiple demographic trends that impact behavior.
“For many of the findings, percentages zigzagged between age groups, rather than plotting a consistent bell curve—indicating how factors such as generational differences, disposable income, and the influence of children on their parents impact results,” said Mike Solomon, vice president, marketing strategy at The Search Agency.
“Married people are often older, have more disposable income and can more easily justify superfluous pieces of technology, such as tablets. At the same time, baby boomers are often more tech-literate than their slightly younger counterparts—likely because their millennial children are pushing them to use new tools and devices.”
The study also found that situational factors such as time of day impact behavior.
Study findings include:
Singles Select Smartphones; Pairs Prefer the Tablet
The study found that more single people own a smartphone than married respondents, with 49% of single respondents owning smartphones vs. 43% for married respondents. But, more married people own tablets than single people, at 45% vs.36%, respectively.
Second Screens Seal the Deal
People are anxious to move beyond the TV screen, with 78% of overall respondents looking to their computer to get more information about products they are interested in on TV, and 66% of tablet owners turning to their tablets.
Age significantly impacts this finding, with 71% of tablet owners age 18-34 and 81% ages 35-44 picking up their tablets for more information (vs. 54% ages 45-54 and 56% ages 55+).
And, of respondents more married people own tablets, more single people (76%) are likely to use them to get further information for products seen on TV vs. their married counterparts (63%).
Must Have Mobile
While the ubiquity of mobile use has been widely accepted, it’s interesting to note that people are turning to their mobile devices even when their computer is within arm’s reach. 59% of smartphone owners have searched from their smartphone when they are in close proximity of their computers, with that number jumping to 74% of smartphone owners ages 18-34.
Shopping on the Job; Millennials Browse and Buy During the Day
Much has been said about those multi-tasking, hyper-connected Millennials, and the study underscores some of these tendencies.
In addition to their ability to do many things at once, Millennials do not separate work and play as much as their older counterparts, often playing at day, working at night, and vice versa. 53% among age 18-34 are more likely to purchase something online during the day than at night.
Only 42% of those at the other end of the age spectrum (55+) are more likely to purchase during the workday. 52% of respondents age 18-34 are more likely to browse social networks during the day than at night, vs. 41% of respondents age 35-44, 30% among age 45-54, and 30% among ages 55+.
For more information about The Search Agency or the 2012 Online User Behavior and Engagement Study, go to http://www.thesearchagency.com/classroom/research/.
Tags: 2012 Online User Behavior and Engagement Study, demographics, second screens, singles vs. married, The Search Agency, time of day, young vs. older
Posted in Analytics, Digital Devices, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | No Comments »
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
 Referral traffic is key for marketers of any industry, but which sharing buttons should you use and how should you use them?
The Search Agency has provided insights on how to develop a social sharing button strategy based on the target audience.
With an increasing volume of relevant content gaining widespread exposure through social sharing buttons each day, it’s important to stand out from your peers.
It’s not just about Facebook and Twitter anymore
Utilizing valuable, yet often less notable, social sharing sites like StumbleUpon and Reddit can really increase traffic to a marketer’s site.
Gaining an overwhelming user base this year, niche image sharing site Pinterest now drives more referral traffic than Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube combined.
“There are so many social sites to play with today, and by taking a closer look at the dominant audiences on popular platforms, we thought we could show a clearer vision of where businesses should focus their social media strategy on based on each site’s best-selling points,” said David Carrillo, social media manager, The Search Agency.
“As marketers, we understand the importance of sewing our efforts in the most effective places. This infographic illustrates that it’s impossible to have a successful reach on every social site, so be wise about where you place your approach.”
Here at the TechJournal, we’ve noticed that timing is also important. When you post matters. Retailers need to think seriously about being live on sites relevant to their audience on a Saturday, for instance. Late night posts work better on Sundays and some weekdays.
Men & women use social media very differently
Studies have shown that men and women use social media very differently, which is a crucial consideration to take when plotting your social sharing strategies.
If marketers are speaking to a predominantly female audience, focus on a plan pushing content through Pinterest or Facebook, whereas Google+ seems to be a hotspot for male activity. At the TechJournal, we’ve seen more interest in technology and social network marketing and SEO – topics we cover heavily – on Google+ and Twitter.
The study and corresponding infographic below also reveals additional information about Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Digg, Pinterest, and e-mail.
Each has a sliding scale of the audience – B2B vs. B2C – and shows that only a couple sites are strictly for business or pleasure.
Social Sharing Button Playground brought to you byThe Search Agency
Tags: Best Practices, Digg, email, Google, infographic, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, social media marketing, StumbleUpon, The Search Agency, twitter, YouTube
Posted in Analytics, Best Practices, Business advice, Facebook, Google, infographic, Internet/New Media, LinkedIn, social media, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture, Twitter | No Comments »
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
 Independent search vendor authority topseos.com has released its monthly list of the top 50 best SEO Companies for September, 2011. WebiMax, Customer Magnetism, and SEOP grabbed the top three spots.
The companies evaluated and featured on the list have been tested in a variety of verticals essential to organic optimization.
Customers of online marketing services hire an SEO agency to assist them with achieving higher organic results, which are the results that are achieved on major search engines. These companies were tested using an evaluation process based on five key criteria, customer references, and other various resources to evaluate eachSEO service.
The Managing Partner of topseos.com, Jeev Trika, has stated that the “evaluation process for both agencies and software tools is meticulous. We review strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages.”
The Top 50 SEO Companies for September 2011 are:
1. WebiMax
2. Customer Magnetism
3. SEOP
4. Intrapromote LLC.
5. ArteWorks SEO
6. SEOhaus
7. Wpromote, Inc.
8. SEO Image Inc.
9. OneIMS – Integrated Marketing Solutions
10. WebMetro
11. MediaWhiz
12. Mannix Marketing
13. Dot Com Infoway
14. 1st on the List Promotion Inc.
15. WebpageFX
16. HigherVisibility
17. Bruce Clay Inc.
18. Peak Positions, LLc
19. First Page SEO
20. Crexendo, Inc.
21. HighPoint Search Marketing
22. SEO Inc
23. Hudson Horizons
24. Pro Web Consulting
25. Web Talent Marketing
26. Submit Express
27. Outrider
28. PageTraffic
29. Micrositez LTD
30. BlueGlass Interactive, Inc.
31. Stone Interactive Group
32. eVisibility, Inc.
33. LeapFrog Interactive
34. Conductor
35. iProspect
36. The Search Agency
37. Spark Inbound Marketing
38. Qualified Impressions, LLC.
39. SEER Interactive
40. Exclusive Concepts, Inc.
41. ymarketing, LLC
42. Connelly Digital
43. WebRanking
44. Best Rank Inc.
45. SEO.com
46. ProspectMX
47. Position Research
48. ATAK Interactive Inc.
49. Sems
50. National Positions
The process for evaluating each SEO agency designed by topseos.com identifies which SEO companies are able to achieve results and meet the expectations of their clients based on their promises. The end result is a list of the top vendors in the industry who have a history of performance for their customers with each company providing a unique SEO service. For each company reviewed, at least three clients were contacted and actual performance and effectiveness of each SEO agency was determined. Different general and specific questions were asked of the SEO companies.
- What type of needs analysis was conducted before work initiated?
- What type of ROI were you anticipating, what was achieved and in what time frame?
- What would be three things you would change about your experience?
- What was your total investment?
- Rate your overall experience (one through ten; ten being the highest).
- What are the most competitive keywords you have been able to rank on the major search engines and how long did it take you to achieved those rankings?
- Did the agency modify the way they achieved higher rankings for you based on the Universal Search model introduced by Google? How?
- How comprehensive, specific, and useful are the reports that are offered to the client? What metrics do they cover?
- Do the reports inform you what the next set of steps should be to achieved higher rankings and when you can expect to achieve the next set of goals by?
- How many of your top industry keywords rank in the top 10? Which ones?
ABOUT topseos.com
topseos.com is a well-known independent authority on search vendors. Established in 2002, the goal of topseos.com is to recognize and rank those individuals or companies providing the best online marketing services all over the world. A specialized team of researchers examine thousands of applicants each month who are seeking to be ranked as a top internet marketing service provider by the independent authority. This website is being visited daily by thousands of visitors all over the world looking for the best services available. The website also provides various types of facilities other than the independent rankings which provide useful information to customers and providers of online marketing services.
Search Engine Optimization companies interested in applying for the evaluation and rankings service can visit:
www.topseos.com/rankings/search-engine-marketing-agencies/apply-for-ranking
Tags: 1st on the list promotio, ArteWorks SEO, Best Rank, Conductor, Connelly Digital, Customer Magnetism, Dot Com Infoway, Exclusive Concepts, HigherVisibility, Hudson Horizons, Intrapromote, iProspect, Mannix Marketing, MediaWhiz, Micrositez, Naitonal Positions, neIMS, Outrider, PageTraffic, Position Research, Pro Web Consulting, ProspectMX, SEER Interactive, Sems, SEO Image, SEO Inc., SEOhaus, SEOP, Spark Inbound Marketing, Submit Express, The Search Agency, Top SEO companies Sept. 2011, TopSEOs, Web Talent Marekting, WebiMax, WebMetro, WebpageFX, WebRanking, ymarketing
Posted in Internet/New Media, Marketing, Studies, surveys, reports | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
 The top 10 enterprise search engine optimization companies are ranked for August 2011. The independent authority on search vendors, topseos.com has named its top enterprise SEO companies. topseos.com recognizes and ranks the best internet marketing service providers in the industry.
To determine the list of the top enterprise search engine optimization companies topseos.com uses an in-depth vendor analysis process. Many enterprise SEO companies were faced with an extensive evaluation system to get top ranked. After showing a clear-cut understanding of the groundwork needed for success the enterprise SEO companies gained their position in the top list.
Jeev Trika, Managing Partner of topseos.com (.topseos.com) said that, “To identify the best among the rest, thousands of enterprise SEO agencies have gone through an effective evaluation system made by our team of experts. Companies able to put enterprise SEOs campaigns in place will certainly increase the quality of traffic for their website”
The Best Enterprise SEO for August 2011 are:
1. WebiMax
2. iCrossing
3. Wpromote, Inc.
4. Intrapromote LLC.
5. Bruce Clay Inc.
6. Reprise Media
7. iProspect
8. IMPAQT
9. 360i LLC.
10. The Search Agency
Being able to get a link to the top of a search engine’s results page requires a huge amount of strategy. Only enterprise SEO companies that are able to accomplish these complexities of search engine optimization will be able successfully achieve this.
The evaluation process behind these rankings has been designed specifically to identify enterprise search engine marketing agencies that excel in their performance and output. There is an in-depth assessment completed to check how the firm operates and their ability to achieve its objectives. Feedback from at least three (3) clients are compiled and considered to understand their performance better. Different general & project based questions were asked to the enterprise SEO companies. Such as-
- What is the internal process for search engine optimization?
- What is the overall effectiveness process for each project?
- Do internal processes cover various important aspects?
- Have they ever arranged any Search engine optimization campaign?
- If the company have their own proprietary tools and software?
- What they have latest to offer?
- What is core leadership process during evaluation?
- How does each leader bring their expertise to the table?
- What is the team training procedure?
- Do they accomplish each task completely?
- What types of philosophies and values are stressed internally?
- How quality of service is ensured?
topseos.com is a well known independent authority on search vendors. The goal of topseos.com is to recognize and rank those individuals or companies providing best internet marketing service all over the world. A specialized team of researchers examines thousands of applicants each month who are seeking to be ranked as a top internet marketing service provider by the independent authority.
Enterprise SEO providers that are interested to apply for ranking can visit:
topseos.com/rankings/search-engine-marketing-agencies/apply-for-ranking
Learn more about the Best Enterprise Search Engine Optimization Companies for August 2011 at:
topseos.com/rankings-of-best-enterprise-seo-companies
Tags: 360i, Bruce Clay, iCrossing, IMPAQT, Intrapromote, iProspect, Reprise Media, The Search Agency, top 10 enterprise SEO firms, TopSEOs, WebiMax, Wpromote
Posted in Internet/New Media, Marketing, Studies, surveys, reports | No Comments »
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