Pew Report: Yep, Search Engines are Still Important

This report by Pew Internet & American Life Project illustrates how important search engine marketing remains in today's online world. According to the report, released in January of this year, 89% of online Americans "use search engines."

In fact it is the 2nd most frequent online activity overall, behind only email (91%). The 3rd most frequent activity was "research product," which 81% of online Americans reported doing. 

For comparison purposes, 47% reported getting info about a job, 38% of all respondents reported using instant messaging and 35% reported using a social networking site. These numbers are from all responses combined. Once repsonses are separated by age group, the younger generations obviously had a much higher percentage of adoption on social networking and instant messaging.

Still though, using search engines was still the 2nd highest reported activity in each generation.

This report is a good reminder that even in the rapidly evolving online landscape, where communication is being redefined on a daily basis, effectively marketing online means incorporating a solid search engine marketing foundation. It also means understanding what people are finding when they search for your company.

One of the greatest things about search engine marketing is that it allows you to be at that exact place and time where prospects are searching for what you have to offer. 

Search engines are still the biggest portal through which internet users are finding information on the web. What are they finding when they search for your company? And, when they search for your product or service, are you there to greet them?