In our blogosphere recap we examine four blog posts from last week that discussed the Google Panda 2.5 update, the relevance of QR codes, Google+’s announcement of 40 million users, and the rise of Google clicks. Below are some of the highlights from these articles:
- Google did not in fact favor a particular site over another and that the panic around the Google Panda 2.5 wasn’t necessarily warranted
- While 72% say they have seen a code, almost three of every 10 say they don’t know what a 2D code even is
- Google announced that Google+ reached 40 million users, compared to Twitter’s 100 million or Facebook’s 800 million active users
- Paid-search clicks jumped 28% in Q3 2011, compared with the year-ago quarter and 13% sequentially
Was the Google Panda 2.5 Panic Warranted?
Search Engine Watch | Simon Heseltine | 10-11-11
When the Panda 2.5 update ran last Wednesday some sites noticed their traffic dropping dramatically. Data collected by multiple sources seemed to show that Google was now favoring their own brands, because those were the ones that had seen the biggest jump in this “SEO visibility” metric that was being used to identify Panda impact.
Key Takeaways:
- FoxNews.com was highlighted by SearchMetrics as a winner on their Panda 2.5 blog post based on their increase in SEO visibility between the week before and the week after Panda 2.5 ran.
- Andriod.com was listed with a 10% gain in website traffic, right after the update, but since has decreased, which shows that it wasn’t necessarily Google favoritism.
- After fully analyzing the data, it shows that Google did not in fact favor a particular site over another and that the panic around the Google Panda 2.5 wasn’t necessarily warranted.
Is QR Worth the Trip? Consumers Still Unsure
MediaPost | Steve Smith | 10-11-11
Only 28% of mobile users who have used QR codes more than once say they usually get something in return that made the effort worthwhile. Another 3% say they always get something good from the 2D digital symbols. The use of these mobile codes in media and ad material is always a debate among marketers. Some argue that they effectively extend physical assets into a digital interaction and engagement. Others wonder if the multiple steps involved in activating a QR code tag or other scannable item might pay off for the consumer consistently.
Key Takeaways:
- 52% of repeat code snappers said the process only sometimes produces a fair exchange of value. However, for 15% of QR users, the platform rarely delivers value.
- While 72% say they have seen a code, almost three of every 10 say they don’t know what a 2D code even is.
- While close to 80% of 18-24 year olds recognize them, closer to 60% of the 45 and older segment do. Arguably for a phenomenon that is relatively new in the US, those rates of recognition are not too bad.
Why You Can’t Compare Google+ User Figures to Facebook & Twitter
Search Engine Land | Danny Sullivan | 10-13-11
Last Thursday, Google announced that Google+ reached 40 million users. However, this still can’t be compared to Twitter’s 100 million or Facebook’s 800 million active users. When Facebook and Twitter use the term “active”, this means that these are people who have logged into Facebook at least once a month. Facebook has many more users who have signed-up for Facebook at some point, but who don’t actively use the service.
Key Takeaways:
- Counting active users can help filter out people who might create dummy accounts for spamming social networks, secure vanity URLS (more an issue with Twitter) or those who signed up, but might not have ever gone back.
- More accurately, Google’s user number would be called a sign-up figure, as it doesn’t reflect the number of actual active users.
- Google+’s growth looks incredibly impressive compared to other social networks, but it’s important to keep in mind that the environment of the internet is also much different. There were more people online when Google+ launched than when Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace did.
Google Clicks Rise 28% on $9.7 Billion in Revenue
MediaPost | Laurie Sullivan|10-14-11
Google launched AdWords Express in the U.S. during the quarter, allowing advertisers to provide basic information, while the platform automates keywords and bids. The move supports the increase of aggregate paid-search clicks from ads served on Google sites and the sites of AdSense partners that Google announced during its Q3 earnings call Thursday.
Key Takeaways:
- Paid-search clicks jumped 28% in Q3 2011, compared with the year-ago quarter and 13% sequentially. The average cost per click (CPC) rose 5% compared with year-ago quarter, but declined 5% sequentially.
- Overall, US online ad spending grew 19.1% to $7.7 billion in Q3 2011, compared with the year-ago quarter, according to eMarketer. For the full year, online ad spending will grow 20.2% to $31.3 billion, up from $26 billion in 2010.
- U.S. display ad spending should grow 24.5% to $12.33 billion in 2011, up from $9.91 billion in 2010 — compared with growth in U.S. search ad spending by 19.8%. to $14.4 billion this year.
