According to Hitwise–a web metrics firm–Google accounted for 65% of internet searches in November.  And all the Google employees chant, “We’re #1, we’re #1!”  Actually, I have this feeling that Google doesn’t pay attention to this stuff.  They’ve been #1 for so long that a new survey showing them as the top dog is just business as usual. 

Now, as our clients know (and are probably tired of me telling them), Google has long been the dominant player in the field of search.  These new Hitwise numbers serve only to show that the dominance continues. 

New marketing efforts from Ask (formerly AskJeeves), along with continued efforts by Yahoo and Microsoft to grab more of the search market share, have made virtually no dent whatsoever in Google’s armor. 

Yahoo is number 2, with 21%.  Microsoft follows in a distant 3rd, with 7%, and Ask is holding steady in the 4th position with 4% of the market. 

Some quick and complicated math tells me that these four companies account for 97% of all internet searches.

This might be a good time to remind you about the shady SEO scam firms, who often pitch their services (via email) by touting the fact that they’ll submit your site and secure you great rankings on “thousands of search engines.”  Yeah, there are a few problems with that kind of boast, namely that there simply aren’t “thousands of search engines.”  Also, as this new survey shows us, no matter how many engines there may be…only four matter.  And of those four, only one really matters. 

If you’re site isn’t being found on Google, you’ve got a problem, because you’re missing out on 65% of your possible customers. 

If you have questions about your website’s search engine rankings, or are interested in seeing how Keystone might help you improve your search presence, check out our Search Engine Services page on our official site.  Chances are, you’re not doing all you can to let the engines know what you’re really about, and we’d love to help you out.