One & two word searches still have value!

"Despite some evidence of more sophisticated consumer search habits, a vast majority of clicks in search results come from one- or two-word queries, according to a new study. "

We talk a lot in our clinic about the value of longer keyword phrases for optimizing your pages, but don't forget that there is still a lot of traffic out there on the simpler searches! It is harder to rank (in most cases), and it is true that the searchers are higher up in the "purchase funnel", but bringing people in on simpler phrases still generates traffic and adds to your recognition factor. If the searcher noticed you on the simple search, they will recognize you when they do the more complex search and are further into the funnel.

"The iProspect study found consumers are slowly gaining sophistication. One-word searches dropped from 51 percent of search referrals in 2002 to 39 percent in 2004. Two-word search referrals increased in the same period from 37 percent to 49 percent."