1) Does Google take into account accents on letters in its search results. For example, if you're bidding on the keyword 'widget', would it show if someone entered 'widgét' and vice versa.
As accents aren't allowed in site URLs, it makes me wonder if they're getting searched as well. Also on some searches, accent-less words have been highlighted as well as accented ones.
2) Has any research been done into whether users are likely to search terms without accents (if they find it easier, don't have foreign keyboards etc)? Are the accent-less keywords (words that don't exist in the language) searched for as much as their accented versions?
Hope that makes some sense and any input appreciated.
Rachel
I'm afraid I don't know the answers, but I'll ask around and post later in the day.
In the meantime, though, I'm sure another member with personal experience will weigh in with the right answer!
AWA
Speaking in terms of AdWords (rather than the unpaid search results):
* If you're using expanded 'broad match', the AdWords system will most likely show your ad for either the accented or un-accented search - even if you've included only one variation in your keyword list.
* Even when using expanded 'broad match', to be assured that you'll show for either variation, it is best to use both forms in your keyword list.
* For 'phrase match' or 'exact match', use both forms in your keyword list.
Hope this helps.
AWA
On your second question. I have a Spanish campaign running and find that the unaccented variants seem to be more popular than the original and correct accented ones.
This of course depends on the term and even the language but make sure to use both and soon you will be able to see which one has more impressions and clicks and better yet, which one sells.
