Google is NOT the Evil Empire stealing content from real estate blogs

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I recently read a bunch of SEO conspiracy articles floating around the real estate blogosphere about how Google is "stealing" content, traffic, listings, clicks, leads, your first born child, etc. I even read one conspiracy theorist that actually suggested you forget about Google altogether because the Top Realtors in the country can't be found on the first page therefore, neither should YOU. I suppose it never occurred to this Realtor that the Top Realtors in the country have far more robust networks and far more dollars to throw at marketing than the average Realtor and therefore may not need the boost Google would give them. Now, for those of you that have thought about drinking this crazy Cool-Aid, let's consider what Google's role is and what it does for you, your website and your business and why you need to cater to Google to benefit from its services.

1. Google is a global directory of websites, categorized by keywords to facilitate user searches on the Internet. The process is: Google sends a robot out to scour your website, the robot reports back to a datacenter all the pages it crawled on your site, the services at the datacenter organize those pages by keywords and relevancy into Google's primary and secondary indexes, so when a user performs a search the system pulls back the most relevant indexed results (your pages) for the user to peruse.

2. Without Google or other search engines, it would be near impossible to find the content you are looking for on the web unless you already knew the web address of the site you want to visit. (Think about all those great websites that don't have the dinero to spend on national television, radio or newsprint campaigns that you would miss out on if search engines did not exist.)

3. Google is now widely recognized as the world's largest search engine with 49.2% of all searches being performed on it according to Nielsen NetRatings (2006 July Ratings Data). Seems like if you ignore Google's ability to drive traffic to your site, you ignore almost 50% of all Internet search users. Doesn't seem like a wise gamble to me.

Real Estate Blog Search Engine Traffic

More recent data from ComScore for Setember 2007 puts Google's search engine traffic share at 57%

U.S. Core Search Engines by Search Share, September 2007

Google sites 57%

Yahoo sites 23.7

Microsoft sites 10.3

Ask Network 4.7

Time Warner Network 4.3

Notes:

Data are based on the five major search engines, including partner searches and cross-channel searches. Searches for mapping, local directory, and user-generated video sites that are not on the core domain of the five search engines are not included in the core search numbers. Source: comScore, 20074. It is important that you provide relevant keyword rich content on your real estate blog so your site can be indexed and categorized properly by Google so your site can appear on the first or second page of Google's results for your prime keywords. Why is it essential that you appear on page 1 or 2 of Google?

A recent study provides some interesting numbers on the subject of ranking vs. percentage of clicks for that position. This study tracked the number of times people clicked on a listing on Google for a given search query:

First Page:

1^st position: 30%

2^nd position: 15%

3^rd position: 7%

4^th position: 5%

5^th position: 4%

6^th position: 4%

7^th position: 2%

8^th position: 2%

9^th position: 3%

10^th position: 5%

Second Page:

1^st position: 6%

2^nd position: 4%

3^rd position 2%

4^th position and beyond < 1%

As you can see, if your real estate blog isn't on the first two pages of Google for your prime keywords, you may as well forget getting clicked.

5. Getting indexed by Google and placed on the first or second page in the search results through quality SEO strategies is FREE! So, instead of paying for search placement with AdWords or Overture, or placing print media ads or sending out mailers, you can actually garner new prospects through your real estate blog at no additional cost to you. Basically, placement of your real estate blog in Google is FREE advertising for your business.

So, Google is NOT the Evil Empire some would have you believe. Not to say I agree with all their practices, but I can firmly say Google is NOT stealing your content, traffic, leads, pens at the bottom of your purse, white socks from the dryer, etc. Don't you know aliens do that!

Conspiracy Theorists Beware:Go back to your X-files and come up with another hairbrained argument, but be sure to wear your tin foil hat so those pesky extra terrestrials won't read your brain waves.

SEO Autopsy: see your site like Google does
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Posted on December 17, 2007 10:39:03 by Blog Author

Mary.McKnight - View Profile

Posted in SEO

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

Fortuno,

As 2007 is not yet over, Nielson hasn't released its 2007 numbers, so the 2006 numbers are the most recent stats available. However I did update the post to include the ComScore stats which are from this past September.

Permalink December 16, 2007 10:15:00

Comment from: Laurie.Manny [Member]

· http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com

I have been told by a reliable source that those missing socks are in fact in sock heaven! LOL.....very funny...........

Permalink December 16, 2007 18:49:29

Comment from: Fortuno Rex [Visitor]

Nice post but don't you think this stat is a bit dated...

"Google is now widely recognized as the world's largest search engine with 49.2% of all searches being performed on it according to Nielsen NetRatings (2006 July Ratings Data). "

Permalink December 16, 2007 20:41:37

Comment from: Marc Blasi [Visitor]

· http://www.PalmBeachRealEstateAndLoans.com

Just like so many conspiracy theories, wortht of a laugh - and not much else.

Permalink December 16, 2007 20:53:22

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

Marc,

I feel the same way, however- when I read that crazy post- I saw a bunch of commenters jumping on board that crazy train and felt soemone had to derail it.

Permalink December 16, 2007 21:14:06

Comment from: Todd Carpenter [Visitor]

· http://blogfiesta.mariah.com

I'd love to read the post you're talking about. Anyone want to email me a link?

I most certainly do not thing Google is an Evil Empire of RE.net. That's Realtor.com's role!

Permalink December 17, 2007 00:06:33

Comment from: Ann.Cummings [Member]

· http://www.newhampshiremainerealestate.com

How interesting that the top position on page 2 has a higher number than the lower positions on page 1.....that seems odd to me.

I guess I'll continue 'googling' my way around google, gigglying too!

I've been wondering where all those pens in my purse disappeared to. Maybe I should go find some of those aliens in foli pointy hats....

Permalink December 17, 2007 08:05:16

Comment from: Ann.Cummings [Member]

· http://www.newhampshiremainerealestate.com

Very cute and funny!

Mary -

You continue to do a lot to quell my inner fears of Google!

Bear

Permalink December 17, 2007 08:26:52

Comment from: Brian Block [Visitor]

· http://blog.brianblock.com

I read that post saying that top agents were not coming up on Google. Well, who knows how much business they're missing out on because of this. Internet marketing and placing high on Google has been an integral part of my success in real estate. Thanks for blowing apart the SEO conspiracy theorists.

Permalink December 17, 2007 08:54:19

Comment from: Cyndee Haydon [Visitor]

· http://www.sandbarstosunsets.com

Great info - thanks for the stats - like Ann it's interesting to see Page 2 click through versus lower numbers on page 1 - also that #10 on Page 1 sees a bump.

I was reading Comscore yesterday checking out the different search engine's marketshare - as always - great SEO info now I can go back to searching for my missing socks!

Permalink December 17, 2007 09:34:31

Comment from: Jay Thompson [Visitor]

· http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com

Forgetting about Google would just be silly. It won't be long until Google owns half the planet.

How one could suggest ignoring the most used search engine in the known universe is beyond me.

Permalink December 17, 2007 09:48:17

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

Jay,

I agree! Pretty stupid to ignore Google. But, alas, a small contigency of Realtors seem to be considering it. Or perhaps these Realtors just want to weed out the ocmpetition by providing disinformation. Either way, it is pretty pathetic. Getting quality placement in Google is the most cost effective way for a Realtor to prospect and ignoring it could do a great disservice to those on a reduced marketing budget.

Permalink December 17, 2007 10:21:54

Comment from: Pam Graham [Visitor]

· http://www.pamgraham.com

I read the post about the top agents not being found on Google as well. The top agent's company is on page one when I checked.

I think they choose a different business model and it works for them. There are other agent's on that list (top 50 or 100 agents), I found their websites on page one.

I don't think Google is evil, we just have to play by their rules.

Permalink December 17, 2007 10:24:10

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

Pam,

I relaized that our myself. The agent that wrote that post clearly didn't even know how to perform a search in Google for those top agents. And yes, playing by Google's rules in the way to go. It's not hard to rank for your keywords, it just takes knowing the rules and consistancy in providing Google with what it is looking for.

Permalink December 17, 2007 13:30:36

Comment from: Erik Hansen [Visitor]

· http://www.OrlandoAreaDreamHomes.com

Without Google, we wouldn't have the global exposure we "internet marketers" depend on for business. Google provides the traffic necessary to run a successful real estate business here in Orlando and across the globe! Once again, setting the record straight! Thanks!

Permalink December 17, 2007 21:13:21

Comment from: kermit johnson [Visitor]

· http://www.realestatetwincities.net

Yeah, Google has been good to me, I suppose. Their search results are better than many engines, too. If you try to look somthing up on yahoo, all you get are useless directories.

If Google dominates the search engine scene, I suppose we have no choice but to court its favor.

However, they are not all good, either.

Google has contracted with the Chinese government to help censor internet acitvity. Thanks to Google, I realize that Google is not the only search engine that is doing this. Gates was involved this kind of project years ago.

Also, Google never, never deletes GMail, even if you think you deleted it. If the law wants you, they don't need a warrant to come and get you. All they need is a subpoena to get your GMail.

Permalink December 17, 2007 23:38:53

Comment from: Brian Brady [Visitor]

· http://www.MortgageRatesReport.com

At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I'll quote Greg Swann, last January; Google is god (at least on the internet).

His hypothesis:

1- God in omnipotent, ominscient, and omnipresent.

2- If the internet is the universe, certainly Google is god.

3- We must please Google.

Again, not to sound blasphemous but the hypothesis makes sense. Why, then, wouldn't we want to please Google?

Understand I have no desire to break the First Commandment but the analogy certainly disproves any "false prophets"

Permalink December 18, 2007 00:02:33

Comment from: James Bridges [Visitor]

· http://www.onlinerealestatesuccess.com

Nice post, but I wouldn't say "instead of paying for search placement with AdWords or Overture" that you should concentrate on high organic placement. By using effective SEO strategies and cost effective pay per click you can increase your CTR of your organic results. One study said you were over 60% more likely to be clicked on if you showed up organically and in pay per click.

I look at it as the fact that if you have a pay per click ad and an organic placement (hopefully even more than 1 in the top 10) as a sheer matter of places to click on the screen you are increasing the likelyhood that a user clicks on your link.

Permalink December 18, 2007 01:25:10

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

Brian,

I hazzard that Greg actually got that theory from www.churchofgoogle.org.

James,

I agree that placing in both the organic and the pay per click areas are best, however most Realtors cannot afford pay per click in this market so organic works within their markeitng budgets better. Hopefully when the market turns they will be able to once again afford the pay for placement as well.

Permalink December 18, 2007 07:50:00

Comment from: James Bridges [Visitor]

· http://www.onlinerealestatesuccess.com

Thanks for the feedback, it's awesome that you keep up with all of the comments.

I certainly understand watching the budget as we operate a real estate team here in Long Beach (along with Laurie Manny :) ). We have been able to stream line our PPC campaigns. In fact, if Realtors just started with $50 a month they could get some great target traffic to some powerful landing pages and that $50 just might get a $6,000 commission. Just food for thought.

Permalink December 19, 2007 00:38:51

Comment from: Chris Dowell [Visitor]

· http://www.DowellTaggart.com

Great post! It is interesting to see the precentages. When I went from 7th position on the 1st page to 3rd I noticed much more traffic from Google.

Permalink December 19, 2007 08:21:42

Comment from: Mary.McKnight [Member]

· http://www.rsspieces.com

James,

I try to keep up with as many of the questions and cmments that come through here as possible. I think it is important to appreciate the time of the people kind enough to agree, disagree or just keep up with my blog. Pay per click is a great tool for those that place and don't place in natural results, but I am also aware that not all Realtors have the cash to support it, so I try to give as much info on how to place naturally as I can.

Chris,

Thanks for visiting and glad to hear you are placing ont he first palge of the big G. Ain't it nice to see the traffic and leads roll in after all that hard work on your blog and sites? Congrats again.

Permalink December 19, 2007 09:03:11

Comment from: P in CO [Visitor]

· http://www.denver-lender.com

Google is INDEED EVIL. Much like Microsoft WAS evil. Much like IBM WAS evil. Much like.....anything that grows without boundaries. I first used google in 1999 and the results were usually "on target", today, searches need to be long tailed to get anything of value.

Then again I'm now expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn.

Permalink December 21, 2007 17:30:51

Comment from: Brian Brady [Visitor]

· http://www.MortgageRatesReport.com

Thanks for the Church of Google link. Greg's paraphrase was much less arrogant than the Googlists theorems.

It was, indeed, a paraphrase and not an attributable quote.

Permalink December 28, 2007 00:37:35

Comment from: John Duncan [Visitor]

· http://www.SearchFriendswood.com

I am getting sooo much great information here on this blog. You all are awesome!

Before yesterday, I'd never heard of "dynacats," "black hat" or "white hat" for that matter. While I still don't completely understand it, I am willing to learn.

I've been successfully using pay per click for 7 years now. It's been a huge portion of my business and I am quite happy with it. My intent in hanging out here and ultimately doing business with the shining knights in armor (the MCKnights), my goal is simply to add volume. Oh, having fun doesn't hurt either.

One thing I've learned with Online Marketing and especially when it comes to real estate, this is a relationship business. Period. The very reason I've been successful with my online marketing is because of my ability to draw them into an offline relationship at some point.

I've learned:

(a) it takes time- sometimes LOTS of it. My longest closing to date (meaning from the time the person entered my site, until they closed was...42 months) The average person that goes to closing comes into my site 6 and one half months prior to closing. Yes, I'm a tracking freak.

(b) I had to invest both time and money (oops, there's that ugly word) for some period of time BEFORE I made a nickel. If you're out for a quick sale, go do some more floor time and hope for the best.

Here's my guess. And I'll bet you I am right on. These same 3 principals apply to blogging.

Thank you to all who contribute here and help educate a person who knows that blogging is a good thing, but doesn't yet have a clue how to go about it.

John in Friendswood, Texas...

PS That closing mentioned above provided an $18,000 dollar check. Now, down here in Houston where prices are much lower, that's just cool...

Permalink March 01, 2008 14:35:24

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