How People Search the Internet

Understanding how people search on the internet will help you and your marketing agency create a website that your current and prospective customers find easily. While most searches will be a combination of those described here, understanding how people search for your business or the products or services you sell will give you the information you need to optimize your website.  We are watching this carefully as we look at how people begin to use AI chat programs versus how they use traditional search engines.

Type of Internet Searches

Informational searches

Informational searches are perhaps the most common type of how people search the internet. They are searches where people look for information on a particular topic and are often performed when someone has a question or wants to learn more about it. For example, if someone wants to know how to bake a cake, they might search for “how to bake a cake” on a search engine like Google.

Most SEO optimization focuses on informational searches. Keywords are designed to match common search terms people use on Google and other similar sites. Yet keywords are just one part of SEO optimization. With the evergrowing volume of articles on the internet, using a popular keyword alone won’t win a website a high ranking. It is, however, one element to getting your website found.

Navigational searches

Navigational searches are searches where people are looking for a specific website or webpage. This type of search is often done when someone knows the website they want to visit but doesn’t remember the exact URL. For example, if someone wants to visit the Facebook website but doesn’t remember the URL, they might search for “Facebook” on a search engine like Google.

Businesses use a couple of common strategies to connect with people using this type of search. First, companies may advertise catchy website names, particularly if their full company name is lengthy. An excellent example is the advertising campaign for “Letusfightforyou,” a website for Shlesinger & deVilleneuve attorneys who make fun of the complexity of accurately saying and spelling their names. Second, companies can use multiple domains with redirects or a series of landing pages with alternative names that the company is sometimes referred to by.

Transactional searches

Transactional searches are searches where people want to make a purchase or engage in another type of transaction. This type of search is often done when someone wants to buy a product or service. For example, if someone wants to buy running shoes, they might search for “running shoes” on a search engine like Google.

Search engines are getting smarter by being able to read users’ intent. That means that when a user searches for “running shoes,” Google will guess why they are searching for running shoes. Likely, Google will respond with several places the user can buy running shoes rather than providing websites that might discuss the history of running shoes or explanations of how to pick out the most ideal style of running shoes for the users’ needs.

Local searches

Local searches are searches where people look for businesses or services in their local area. This type of search is often done when someone needs to find a business or service near their location. For example, if someone wants to find coffee shops near their current location, they might search for “coffee shops” on a search engine like Google. Similarly, if someone needs a plumber in Chicago, they might search for “plumbers in Chicago” on a search engine.

These searches are essential for a business because they are made by people ready to purchase (or nearly so) and are looking for a local business. Without even adding a location, Google will often understand the intent and then present the user with local suppliers of the goods or services. For this reason, it is critical for businesses with a local presence to have their websites optimized for local SEO by an experienced marketing agency like Paradux Media.

Image searches

Image searches are searches where people look for images related to a particular topic. This type of search is often done when someone wants to find a specific image or wants to see what images are available on a particular topic. Search for any subject matter and select the images tab to look at the visual options.

Google also offers an easy-to-use reverse image search. In this mode, the user uploads a picture from their smartphone or PC, and Google searches the internet to find the closest matches. For example, it’s simple to take a picture of an item at a second-hand store, run a reverse-image search, learn what the object is and who made it, and figure out the market value by looking for search results from online marketplaces.

Video searches

Video searches are searches where people look for videos on a particular topic. This type of search is often done when someone wants to watch a video on a specific topic. Today you can type just about any issue in the search bar and select the video tab to find a selection of relevant videos.

Video content is becoming increasingly popular with internet users, particularly for “how to” type questions. Want to know how to build a pizza oven in your backyard? You’ll find several videos with step-by-step visual directions.

Academic searches

Academic searches are searches where people are looking for scholarly articles or research papers on a particular topic. This type of search is often done by students, researchers, or academics. For example, if someone wants to find studies on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, they might search for “studies on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy” on a search engine like Google Scholar.

News searches

News searches are searches where people are looking for current events or news stories on a particular topic. This type of search is often done by people who want to stay informed about the latest developments in the world. With the decline in local newspapers and consolidation of television news media, many people are now seeking the internet for their news.

Paradux Media will optimize your website and online presence.

Paradux Media Group is ready to help you achieve your goals in organic search. Our team of marketing experts works with companies of all sizes to build budget-appropriate plans that deliver results. From developing your website to managing email campaigns, designing promotional materials, coordinating media advertising, and more, we can help your company expand its customer base and achieve the sales results you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more about joining our flock.