Keyword data encryption is on the way from Google, which means the search engine giant will no longer reveal the keywords that sent traffic to websites from search queries. By the end of 2013, Google intends to encrypt all organic keyword search activity, with the exception of clicks on Adwords PPC ads. What does this mean for website owners? Any keyword search done through Google will eventually come back with the wonderful (not found) message in your Google Analytics account.
Much of SEO reporting is based on Google keyword traffic data. Currently, Google has 68% of search engine market-share; in comparison, the other search engines (Bing, Yahoo, Ask, AOL, etc.) share a meager 32%. Hence, there is no alternative to the prolific Google keyword traffic data that used to be available from Google. This is why it’s so important to know what keywords to rank for, because everyone wants to be in the top 3 search results on page 1 of Google.
What to do Without Google Keyword Traffic Data
In the absence of Google keyword traffic data, SEO reports will employ other pertinent measurements, such as organic traffic over time, domain authority, root links and top entrances (number of pages that receive organic referrals), to demonstrate results. It will also be possible to use the other search engines to gain some keyword traffic information.
The changes from the rollout of Encrypted Search have nothing to do with the effectiveness of SEO campaigns. SEO is still an essential service for companies that want their websites to be found on Google search. The only difference is now some information will be harder to come by. Doing SEO will become a more creative process and who knows eventually Google might start charging for the keyword traffic data in the future.
In other Google news…two algorithm updates are out in full force. Read about Penguin 2.1 here and Hummingbird here. If you want any more information on this topic or any Internet marketing topic give Leap Clixx a call and one of our experts can help you.
