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How are people using Google?

by Techie Turtle
9 replies
  • SEO
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I've kind of been thinking this over and can't really make up my mind. Part of my thinking says that when people are looking for something local, like a dog trainer or mechanic, they will type "dog training [zip code]" or "mechanic [city]". The other part of me thinks that since Google knows where you are based on your IP then people just type "dog training" or "mechanic" because they know the results will be local.

Of course, I'm not talking about searches for things like home remedies, information about medications, new car prices, etc. I'm talking about local searches.

You are here are a smart group and I keep learning so much from all of you. Anyone care to settle the debate in my head?
#google #people
  • Profile picture of the author bigcat1967
    Yes - Google does give you a lot of local search if you type in "Dog Pound" - but mostly their "7 pack" google maps. However, you will find on the general searches that it doesn't really go to local unless you put like "Dog Pound Columbus Oh". So to answer your question - the seven packs will always be local, but not the rest of the entries unless you do specifiy a city or zip code.
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  • Profile picture of the author C0DeZeR0
    I Read About This In Abook ...

    But For Me If I Want To Know How People Use Google I Will Try My Self And

    Have Alook Around To See How We Are Searching In G
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  • Profile picture of the author Y2E
    I'm still learning too, Techie Turtle. I'm not sure if the zip code search is a widely used American phenomenon outside of the technophile circuit, because what I do myself and what I have observed others do for local searches is "dog kennel Hamilton" and if that brings up several Hamiltons like Ontario and Bermuda, then that gets narrowed down to "dog kennels Hamilton Ontario". I think people tend to use basic spoken language. They type in the same word or phrase they would have used in a live conversation. So, if Becky was going to ask Aunt Millie on the phone "Aunt Millie, do you know of any good dog kennels in Hamilton", then that's exactly what Becky would type into Google search: "dog kennels in Hamilton", or "best dog kennels in Hamilton", or simply "dog kennels Hamilton". At least that's how I see it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Techie Turtle
      Originally Posted by Y2E View Post

      I'm still learning too, Techie Turtle. I'm not sure if the zip code search is a widely used American phenomenon outside of the technophile circuit, because what I do myself and what I have observed others do for local searches is "dog kennel Hamilton" and if that brings up several Hamiltons like Ontario and Bermuda, then that gets narrowed down to "dog kennels Hamilton Ontario". I think people tend to use basic spoken language. They type in the same word or phrase they would have used in a live conversation. So, if Becky was going to ask Aunt Millie on the phone "Aunt Millie, do you know of any good dog kennels in Hamilton", then that's exactly what Becky would type into Google search: "dog kennels in Hamilton", or "best dog kennels in Hamilton", or simply "dog kennels Hamilton". At least that's how I see it.
      Awesome reply! Thanks for that insight. For most of us here we're a little more "advanced" than the average computer user. We know how to manipulate the search box (like you said) to get exactly what we're looking for. But I think you're absolutely correct, people in general use basic spoken words in their search. I think Google is also smart enough to filter words the "the, in, around, near." For example, someone searching for a dog kennel in Chicago might search for "the best dog kennel in Chicago" and Google does their hocus-pocus and searches for dog kennel chicago. That makes some kind of sense!

      Of course I can't prove any of that but it sure does sound right!
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      • Profile picture of the author Y2E
        Originally Posted by Techie Turtle View Post

        I think Google is also smart enough to filter words the "the, in, around, near." For example, someone searching for a dog kennel in Chicago might search for "the best dog kennel in Chicago" and Google does their hocus-pocus and searches for dog kennel chicago. That makes some kind of sense!

        Of course I can't prove any of that but it sure does sound right!
        Thank you, Techie Turtle. I believe you are right in the above. If the vBulletin here and other forum software out there exclude common words like "the, in, of" in their search as too common, why not Google and other search engines do the same? I just ran a Google test search for "the best dog kennels in Hamilton" as an exercise and "the" and "best" were not excluded, whereas "in" was, according to what was highlighted in bold on the results page. Interesting and forever mysterious algorithm, that Google search.
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        • Profile picture of the author Techie Turtle
          Thanks for that quick test. About the only thing I'm really sure of is that there are a lot of really smart people working at Google.

          And just for the record, when I'm searching for something local I 1st try [keyword] [zip code] (mechanic 90210). That usually gets me what I want but if it doesn't then I use [keyword] [city].
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          • Profile picture of the author Groovystar
            Google knows more about you than the government does. Seriously.

            They do know where you are based on IP, which lets you do searches for both remote and local things, depending more on subject than anything.

            I'd just try and think objectively on how you yourself use google to find stuff, it's pretty much how anyone uses it. You want something, you key it in, and there it is

            Sorry if you didn't want a newbie posting in here. Just thought I'd help.
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            • Profile picture of the author Techie Turtle
              Originally Posted by Groovystar View Post

              Sorry if you didn't want a newbie posting in here. Just thought I'd help.
              Makes no difference to me if you're a noob or veteran IM'er. My little kids teach me more than adults!!
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              • Profile picture of the author Groovystar
                Thanks. I also hope people don't mind that I actually came here mainly for SEO tips for gaining more google exposure for my site which is Non profit. It's not for money but they need marketing too.

                If I can learn how to start up an internet business while here, though, that'd be priceless as I'm currently really struggling to get my finances together.

                ....As for Google use I think you just have to keep it simple, Google is a site designed for the simplest of usage methods--you want something you key it in. How to optimise your site from there depends, I think, on what type of keywords people will key in to look for what your site offers. Some things have a more general area and remote area appeal while others are going to be things that people look for locally, like a local spa, or store or movie theatre.
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