Browser Window Keyword Type-ins

Do people actually type keywords or phrases in the browser window?

[defanjos]

Do people actually type keywords or phrases in the browser window?

I am asking because there are those companies always trying to sell you keywords that people type in. Also, if you type in a keyword or phrase on IE, it takes you to MSN.com

My feeling is that a very small percentage of people do that, but you never know.

Opinions and comments please

[chameleon]

I used to, but two things have stopped me from doing it anymore:

1. Micro$oft made the deal to sell the keywords instead of just dumping you to a decent search engine (no longer an issue).

2. I installed the Google toolbar.

As for the general public, I really doubt many people search this way. It's not very well documented, and the "average" user probably doesn't even know that will work.

[Sinner_G]

I have never done it myself and as chameleon said, it is not well documented and no one knows about it.

Is there a was to see the difference between these and regular msn searches in your logs?

[WebGuerrilla]

Over the years, I've played with those services a few times, but I have never found them to be worth the cost.

[pageoneresults]

> Do people actually type keywords or phrases in the browser window?

All the time! That is how RealNames established its business model which is no longer in existence. I watch customers type their search queries in the address window all the time. I'll bet a percentage of your MSN visitors come in this way.

Do a test with some of your less web savvy clients. Anyone who is not web savvy and uses IE may type in search queries directly into the address window. The search resolves to msn.com and presents the user with MSN SERP's.

P.S. Go to the realnames website for more information on the closure and its future plans. I wouldn't recommend purchasing keywords this way as there is no solid business model in place to route them. Although, certain countries like Japan have this functionality if I'm not mistaken.

P.S.S. I did an internal poll with our 80+ employees. Out of the 80+, 23 of them typed their search queries directly into the IE address bar. This is mainly due to not knowing how to perform searches. Although, those 23 people felt that they could find what they were looking for with the MSN SERP's that are presented from the search query.

We've educated those 23 people on searching the Internet since that poll was done. Now, only 8 of them type search terms directly into the address window. Those 8 are old cronies who just don't want to change! ;)

[Weblamer]

I made a post in another forum here about how my boss types in the phrases into the search window. He think's everybody does. I think the answere to your question is: the less computer literate a person is, the more likely they are going to type a search term into the browser window.

[Sinner_G]

>>the less computer literate a person is, the more likely they are going to type a search term into the browser window.

But how do they know to do it? I mean I would never have thought of doing that, in my point of view it is the place I type full URLs but not search phrases.

[Weblamer]

Because, it is the first place on the screen they see that they can type something into.

[rcjordan]

>first place on the screen they see that they can type something into.

Absolutely. Watch the less-savvy navigate and search sometime (however, I suggest clinching a thick leather strap firmly between your teeth first), they scan the page for a text box --any text box will do, it seems.

[pageoneresults]

> (however, I suggest clinching a thick leather strap firmly between your teeth first)

Hehehe! Actually, I would suggest clenching a thick leather strap firmly in your right or left hand and smacking their hands when they attempt to do it! ;)