Does Google use click-through rate as a ranking signal? If users are clicking and sticking on some results, and bouncing back to the search results on others, that could be a valuable quality signal for them to use in the ranking algorithm.
Some recent tests have shown interesting (and instant) ranking boosts from click activity. Not satisfied with the results of a handful of tests, Darren has set out to test the bejeesus out of: clicks on website links, clicks on Google+ page links, driving directions, and branded search. He’ll describe the tests, the results, and any new insights.
37. Test 3 – Click Burst
High competition market
Click website link 50 times per day
repeat for 3 days
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38. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
Search for “los angeles personal injury lawyers”
Click on “The Torkzadeh Law Firm”
Starting position on
October 3rd
C in the local pack
51. Test 5 – Clicks on Google+ Link
High competition market
Click “Google+ Page” 50 times per day
Repeat for 3 days
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52. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
Search for “miami personal injury lawyer”
Click on the Google+ link for “The Altman Law Firm”
Starting position on
October 3rd
G in the local pack
68. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
I asked them to complete the task on our website
so I could track their user agent and make sure
they were actually using mobile.
74. So far, no ranking changes
with the click-to-call test, but it has
only been running for 6 days.
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75. Pogo-sticking Test
Can we demote a listing through
automated pogo-sticking signals?
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76. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
This locksmith spammer has
created a fake listing with
the angieslist category page.
I wonder if we can take
him out with microworker
pogo-sticking…
77. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
Search for “cincinnati locksmiths”, click on that
spammy listing, click back, then click on the top
ranked listing.
78. So far, 166 people have done it, and
no ranking changes, but I sure as
hell hope this doesn’t work.
@DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
80. Why no driving directions test?
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81. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
Google has plenty of data to determine if you
actually drove to the location. Just searching for
directions isn’t a signal they need to use.
93. @DarrenShaw_ +DarrenShaw
Google has much more data on “los
angeles personal injury lawyer” than
“willmington nc accountants” so
they already know the preferred
choices, and there is less variation.