I remember searching online when I set up an internet connection for the first time. It was a dial-up and being in Greece meant I was behind the competition when it comes to technology and comparing my country to Europe. It was moving very slowly and it was very expensive too if you were downloading stuff. But…it was awesome….I was hooked by the beauty of the internet, I could make friends around the world and have the chance to discover places I did not even know existed. And like everybody else I was using search engines to find information and to purchase products.
Why It Has To Be On The 1st Page Of Google?
Now after all these years my “Search Habits” did not change at all. What do I mean by saying search habits? When I use a search engine, no matter what the engine is, I scan the first results, and if I am not satisfied I simply move on to the next page, repeating the process until I find what I am looking for. Sometimes I change the search term if necessary. And that is normal for me, that is how I used it and still do.
An Afternoon With Friends
We were sitting in my room, me and a couple of friends chatting about everything. Then I switched on my pc to check something my friend was looking for. We connected online and I typed the terms in the search line. I can’t remember exactly what we were researching but I remember scrolling down while my friends were watching the results with me. Nothing interesting came up and I pressed the next page button.
“Damn my friend said, it’s not there, hey Tasos, just check this term instead he continued”
“Why? I thought he was in a hurry or something but we were relaxed and I was sure he had nowhere to go any soon
“What are you doing?” the 3rd member of the company asked.
“I am searching, just a minute”. I responded. Then after a while on the 6th or so page “boom” I clicked the link and yes, there it was. My friend indeed found what he was looking for, he kept some notes and we continued normally with our chat.
At that time nothing seemed weird to me.
One Day I Was Desperate To Find A Music Book
I had returned from the local marketplace in my town. I could not find the book I was looking for. But I wanted it so much. I thought to check for it online although the salesman at the last store was negative. “No Way” he told me, this book is discontinued. I gave it a try. Indeed this book was nowhere. But good things come to those we “Search”. After a long sweaty marathon, I managed to find a title very similar to the one I was looking for in a second-hand book store. It was there, the cover was the same, and it was mistyped and used but I could not care less. I needed this book.
More Awesome Discoveries Found On The 9th or 20th or even on the 40th Page of Google
- Excellent hotels for vacations
- Games and toys for my kids
- Music cd’s
- Answers for pc and technical problems … just to name a few.
But Why Am I Saying That?
Now as a website owner I found out that people are only looking at the first page of google results. I believed that I was a normal guy who is searching the web like everybody else. But no, it seems that I may be crazy.
According to Marketing Land, on average 71,33% of searches resulted in a page one Google organic click. Pages 2 and 3 get only 5,59% of the clicks. On the first page alone, the first 5 results account for 67,6% of all clicks.
So that means people are always find what they are looking for immediately. Or is it not?
Are you searching for a new term in the line if you can’t find your answer on the first page? If you re-type a keyword phrase new results will come up. Are you repeating the same process here if you can’t target a decent answer?
More Questions
I would like to know why. Of course, I agree that on the first page of Google are placed authoritative websites that are trustworthy and popular. And I agree with that process, it is like a test to prove your level. I would not disagree with you on that. I am not saying that a new website should outrank old and highly respective sites. No, in no case, but I am curious why online visitors are in a hurry…Or is it something else I don’t understand?
Because sometimes the answers are there if we DIG a little more. And I believe by retyping keywords in the line might prove a time-consuming procedure and we may not find a relevant answer.
Possible Similarities Of This Behaviour:
Are all these humans behaving the same way they perform internet searches? I mean when you buy a newspaper, are you looking only at the front page? When you go to a nightclub, to have fun and let’s suppose when you enter it is crowded, will you sit just there close to the door without researching the rest of the room because you feel tired moving deeper? When you visit a coffee shop do you pick up the first free table closer to you? When you visit a marketplace looking for clothing are you entering the first store that comes in your way or are you expanding your search for stores according to your style?
Or is this happening because, we humans, expect machines to make our lives easier? Are we lazy to search a little deeper? Do we want to be served by machines?
This article has only one purpose, to feed the curiosity of the author and nothing else. Let’s say it is an experiment. As I already mentioned I do agree that authoritative websites should be appearing on the first page of the search results. I would not argue that, in no case. But I believe that people behave differently in their lives when they do not perform “Internet Searches”
What do you think? Would love to see your comments.
P.S. It was something that was bothering me for quite some time. Lately, I had another conversation with one of my friends that we were together that afternoon at my place. He continues to search in the same way as back then. Only on the first page. But he admitted (after a long spiritual debate) that he is not finding the best answers quite often and he quits searching at these cases.
Till next time.
Tasos Perte Tzortzis
Marketing Consultant, Creator of the "7 Ideals" Methodology
Although doing traditional business offline since 1992, I fell in love with online marketing in late 2014 and have helped hundreds of brands sell more of their products and services. Founder of WebMarketSupport, Muvimag, SummerDream.
I enjoy reading, arts, science, chess, coffee, tea, swimming, Audi, and playing with my kids.
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You are actually so correct…I never really thought about this! But I do that too – although I’ll admit when it comes to the internet I am pretty lazy. I do kind of expect Google to do all my work for me and know what it’s doing. So I very very rarely look beyond the first page. I would say rare cases are when I’m doing stuff for school and I’m looking for something very specific.
Hi there Martina, just like you I am searching deeper for very specific queries. It is a fact, Google has dominated searches by giving precise answers through all these years. I was just wondering why people stay on the 1st page only. We are in hurry I know, but sometimes the answer we are looking for is not pinned on that 1st page.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for your participation in the discussion. Good luck to whatever you do..!
71% are picking from the first page? That’s a real eye opener. Actually, it does make sense. We live in a fast food, quick mart, express lane society. Page 1 searching fits right in there with the rest.
Thanks for this thought provoking post. I’m seriously hunkering down now on those page 1 tactics.
Hi Roger , yes , you have a strong point here.Speed , is what this society is about.Let’s see , what the future brings.
Thank you for this interaction , all my best wishes.
Hi there !
As a new internet entrepreneur, i am sometimes targeting very specific keywords to rank better, but it is hard, because my site is very young.
It is always the same sites which show first, even for irrelevant informations, and they don’t let too much space for the others.
That’s why it is a long term business ! You need to gain trust before gain traffic ! 🙂
Absolutely Palanquator.A new site has to gain authority and trust.This is the normal.
You do very well in targeting specific keywords.The lower the competition you can get the better.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for your participation in the discussion.Good luck with your online projects.
Hi Tasos,
Personally, I do search through multiple pages of the results when I do a Google search. I have often found useful information on pages further back. However, I’ve also found that the results listed on the first, second, and third pages are usually more applicable to what I’m searching for. When I look at the results, I’m looking for which articles appear to match what I searched for the most, and I’ve found those are usually on the first page. Your thoughts are interesting though, I do think newer and smaller sites should be ranked as well as older and bigger sites…as long as their content is relevant to my search terms. Do you know any tactics that would help us with getting our pages to rank better?
Thanks,
~Kris
So great to hear that Kris , it seems I am not alone in this world.But indeed , the most relevant results appear on the first pages.But sometimes I find what I am looking for even on the 20th page.But generally , above the 3rd page only 1 out of 10 results are highly relevant.
I think the reason is that some bloggers or sites don’t know how to get ranked so they disappear in the back of Google.
I very glad you liked my way of thinking , you sound like me.
Small sites can rank really well as long as they apply some strategies.Like the low hanging fruit keywords.Other tactics that increase authority and therefore rankings , at least as well known bloggers and marketers say , are guest blogging in authoritative sites.Additionally you can let others blog to your site.
I am thinking very seriously to move into that direction but as a shy person I have to fight with my inner self , as always.
Generally the more content you publish and the more engagement you get , both on your site and on social networks , you will notice better rankings.Every factor contributes to a site’s authority.
Thank you for another visit and for sharing your experience.Good luck with whatever you do.
Hi Tasos, great article
I think Google algorithm cannot spot great articles in new websites. So, it gives preference for authoritative websites even though the article is of inferior quality. I think it is far that good articles rank no matter the level of their website.. but it is also fair that strong websites have a certain power over the rest. Because they deserve all the hard work and experience.. I webmaster with years writing articles is more trusted.
So I think Google tries to find a balance, but it is really difficult! everybody wants to be on the first page… so I think Google must give a little bit for every website that really deserves!
Thanks for sharing your great thoughts
All the best
Stefan
Welcome Stefan , very interesting thoughts.Indeed , Google’s work is more than difficult.There are millions of websites with so many web pages trying to get ranked in the first page.How can they provide a perfect service? .. it is impossible.
I believe it is a fair system after all and webmasters with experience get better rankings.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for sharing your insights to this subject.All my best to you too.
being on the first page of google feels awesome especially when you can ask google simple questions and you are the one that they recommend 🙂 I have noticed though that even being on the second or third page can help sometimes though too although it’s not the best
Matt TheDopestMatrix
It really feels great to watch your posts on the first page , Matt.This counts as a recognition of your work and trust from the search engines.But as you say , I can see through the webmaster tools dashboard that even articles on the second page do get some clicks.Of course not the best conversion rate but it is something.
Thank you for stepping by with your comment and I wish you grab as many 1st page positions as you can.
Hi Tasos,
I can just agree on your search habits as I’m also a guy who just screens the first or maximum second page in order to find what I’m looking for. It is very important to be ranked on Googles first page to get found by people out there.
You really should try to get ranked on the first page, but not with illegal techniques as Google will find out and punish you with a bad rank in the search results.
Cheers
Don
Welcome Don , of course we want to use ethical techniques and provide value as otherwise Google will punish our actions.It is not worth taking such high risks.You will be wasting your time , besides what ranks websites well is the consistency and frequent publishings.
Thank you for this visit and for supporting my work with your comment.
Hi Taso!
I’m from the US but I love Greece and the Greek people. My Greek name is Elias.
Meanwhile back at the subject of your post, “Why it Has to Be Only on the 1st Page of Google.” I sometimes get lost searching deep into the bowels of Google. Like you mentioned you can really find some interesting stuff there, but it takes time and patience. Most people don’t have time and they don’t have patience either.
That’s why I like your top rated product. It teaches you how to make money online and exactly how to get your website on the first page of Google where you can score traffic for free.
All the best
Gary (aka Elias)
Welcome back Gary or should I say Elias.It feels so great when I meet people from abroad loving my country.How come you have a Greek name?..The name Elias comes from the noun “Helios” which means “Sun”.
So , you think that people are impatient to search a little deeper and their time is running out.I guess you are right , but then why is this hurry all about?..May be humanity is moving too fast.
Sure , WA teaches how to get ranked in that top page , that is why I love their education system.
Thank you for this visit and for participating in the comments with your Greek name.
Hi, very interesting article and useful statistical numbers you are giving here. They are very convincing, if you are not on the first page then you are nowhere. As simple as that.
But I am not completely in agreement that ‘authoritative websites should be appearing in the first page of the search results’ as you write. Do not see the point of this. It is the matter of certain post and nothing more; if it is good rank is high and that it is. It does not matter if it comes from a tiny site or an authority one. Just my thinking, you asked for an opinion.
Welcome back Jovo , I am glad you find this article interesting.Yes , a tiny and new website can get ranked in the first page but only for “Specific” keywords that might not have competition or very low.And as a website gains authority more keywords will getting rankings in the first page.I am just saying that new websites should NOT dethrone the authoritative from the first page for keywords that the old websites are ranked at the moment.
My main point therefore is to understand the people , the visitors and why they insist on taking a look only on the first page.
Thank you for another visit and for sharing your thoughts.
I used to search through pages and pages on Google trying to find exactly what I was looking for. Actually, I will still do that if I’m having technical problems. Beats calling technical support because I don’t like talking on the phone! But now, I mostly just see what comes up on the first page, if I don’t find what I need, I re-word it or make it more specific. I’m not really sure why. Maybe I’m just lazy. But I will admit that half the time I don’t find what I’m looking for. This article really has me thinking. Maybe I’ll dig a little more next time I search for something!
Hello there Kendall , your message comes as relief to me.I am not that crazy after all.You used to search through all the pages in the past and you still do that in cases of technical problems.
So, may be , due to the latest technological improvements people believe that the search engines provide in their first pages the most appropriate answers.
But as you admit , sometimes you are not able to find what you look for.
Thank you for the visit and for taking the time to state your experience and your habits here.
You have a lot of great ideas and you sound like an expert in this field .So I would like to ask you how long will it take for my site to get to number 1 in google searches if I use one of your scheme and how much would it cost me to do this?
Hello there Jimmi , even new websites can be ranked in the first page of google.But not for competitive keyword phrases , at least in the beginning.I would suggest that you read my article on low competition keywords on that matter.This is not something you have to pay for.This is called organic traffic and is the result of your work , the posts you publish , helping people and engaging with your audience.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for participating in the comments.Good luck with your projects.