Hitwise: Google’s Lead Growing, Searches Getting Longer


Google’s share of the U.S. search market continues to grow according to Hitwise data released today. (PDF download)

Google’s market share rose from 72.11% in February to 72.39% in March, while both Yahoo and Live Search saw declines. Year-over-year numbers are also in Google’s favor: It’s up 8% over March 2008, while Yahoo and Live Search are down 19% and 17%, respectively.

hitwise chart

For what it’s worth, Ask.com shows an 8% increase between February and March.

Meanwhile, search queries continue to get longer. As we reported a couple months ago with data for January, searches of four words and up are on the rise, while 1- to 3-word searches are declining.

Hitwise says that trend has continued in February and March, and compared to March 2008, 7- and 8-word queries both saw double digit percent increases.

hitwise chart

It’ll be interesting to see if Google’s recent rollout of local results on non-local queries will impact this trend. The change affects shorter queries the most, and many searchers are now likely to find what they want with short queries like “florists,” “restaurants,” and “lawyers.”



Matt McGee is the Search Engine Land Assignment Editor, and offers search marketing consulting and training to businesses of all sizes. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and HyperlocalBlogger.com.

See more articles by Matt McGee >


Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:


Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter


See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: Web Search, Microsoft: Bing, Stats: Hitwise, Stats: Popularity, Stats: Search Behavior, Yahoo: Search sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

ONE COMMENT ON Hitwise: Google’s Lead Growing, Searches Getting Longer

cweave,

The recent bounce in number for Ask.com is something I’ve noted on my blog. Their partnership with NASCAR, combined with their tuned NASCAR results seems to be affecting their traffic (the sponsorship begin in January) even more so than searches…




RECENT COMMENTS

  • Shari Thurow said " Hi all- Information architects, at least the most knowledgeable ones, understand the main finding be"
  • nuttakorn said " I think 2010 is about Real-time and personalize search algorithms that Google will pay attention to "
  • nuttakorn said " I just heard many sources that Google.cn will shut down tomorrow. You can see this source of news fr"

See All »


FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

SearchCap is a once-per-day newsletter update:

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Our feed & social options update you as news happens.


Advertise With Us »

Search Marketing Expo

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

FOLLOW US SOCIALLY
Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!

Become a premium member today and receive:

  • Express commenting privileges & photo.
  • Exclusive videos & newsletters.
  • Discounts to our SMX conferences.
  • Access to "How To" & Other Archives.

Learn More

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live