Internet Searching

current options and future developments


                   

  • USER PROFILES
    • categories of searcher
      • passive
        • infrequently online
        • use popular websites, generally a commercial portal
        • natural language, mother tongue
        • looking for direct information, simple interfaces
        • assume that if they do not find what they want, it is not on the Internet
      • selective
        • average Internet users
        • visit sites they already know to find information
        • use search engines
        • prefer direct and clear format
        • look for sites that seem authoritative
      • dynamic
        • experienced Internet searchers
        • use a wide variety of search strategies
        • select information according to
          • reliability
          • confidence
          • relevance
          • direct information
          • simple and clear format
          • reliability of content
        • achieve best results
        • based on personal experience rather than training
          • "a specific problem is the so-called "Production Paradox", which consists of users often not being willing to learn basics, if this learning process seems to hold them up in reaching their primary goal"

 

  • average American conducts 35 searches per month
  • typical online research interaction can involve 5 to 6 different queries and interactions with 15 to 20 different sites
  • 56.7% of Internet users use the same search engine/directory
  • 30% use a few specific engines regularly
  • 13% use different search engines for specific searches
  • 50% had installed at least one search toolbar

 

  • Enquiro survey of 24 Canadians
    • easily distinguish between sponsored results and organic ones
    • only 14 scrolled down to check all results before clicking
    • four categories
      • Scanners and Clickers
        • younger males
        • quick scan of top three or four listings then click
      • Two Step Scanners
        • all males with average age of 42
        • quick scan of top results for anything that "jumps out"
        • return for more deliberate scan of all organic results
      • Deliberate Researchers
        • 60% female, 40% male comprising 41.6% of group
        • read all organic titles/descriptions before clicking
        • thorough in assessments
        • most likely group to go to second page of results
      • 1-2-3- Searchers
        • predominantly female
        • clicks sequentially after reading titles/descriptions thoroughly
    • men
      • made quicker decisions
      • spent less time on sites
      • more likely to have favourite 'vendor' sites
      • less resistant to sponsored listings
    • women
      • read results more deliberately
      • spend more time on searches
      • spend more time on sites before making decisions

 

  • Search reports
    • KZN Law Society visitors
      • very specific terms
      • significant number still try Boolean terms
      • "hackers thesis" - Sunday 25 July
    • Wordtracker keywords
      • top 300 in previous 24 hours
        • #1 - cameron diaz
        • #7 - google
        • #29 and 37 - thong/s
        • #100 - harry potter
        • #203 - bang bus
        • #230 - [blank]
      • top 200 in last 60 days
        • #1 - google
        • #10 and 26 - thong/s
        • #41 - http:
        • #95 - recipes (results on Google = )
        • #164 - mortgage calculator

Mary Bruce 2004

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