Search Engine Optimization Blog and other cool stuff!

The fact that ”no one really knows” precisely how much market share Google actually has… is a bit like saying no one really knows exactly what the weather will be like in Los Cabos in January.   True true.   It might be in the mid 50’s, around 65, or it might be in the high 80s… either way I”ll bet you my winter boots that it will be much warmer in Los Cabos than in Chicago! 

The point is - Google is WAY out in front. 

We’ve all heard estimates as high as 85% but I’ve never seen data to back it up, though in some industries I’m sure there is evidence.   A cursory study of five of our clients (each with roughly equivalent natural placements on Google, Yahoo and MSN) revealed a range of Google market share between 51-66%.   Though this is a poor measure of total market share it is a relevant statistic and reveals the imporatance of optimizing for Yahoo, MSN / Live, Ask and Aol.

Hitwise (the most respected market research firm on the topic) recently published a press-release suggesting around 65% market share with Yahoo trailing around 21% (see release below or go to http://www.hitwise.com/press-center/hitwiseHS2004/searchengines200711us.php)

NEW YORK, NY - December 11, 2007 - Hitwise, the leading online competitive intelligence service, today announced that Google accounted for 65.10 percent of all U.S. searches in the four weeks ending December 1, 2007. Yahoo! Search, MSN Search and Ask.com each received 21.21, 7.09 and 4.63 percent respectively. The remaining 46 search engines in the Hitwise Search Engine Analysis Tool accounted for 1.96 percent of U.S. searches.