Usability-wise, there are a couple simple facts about search engine usage that Viewstream uses as the basis of our search marketing and search engine optimization practice:

1. Over 50% of users don’t read past the first results page (btw, interesting fact: men tend to go past the first couple of pages more than women).
2. If you are not on the top of the results (paid or organic) there is limited value.

There are some changing search engine interfaces that reinforce these two facts. Space Time has a cool product and is developing alternative methods of reviewing and selecting your webpage, photo, and video search results. By presenting the pages in 3-D, results are stacked in an open space to be shuffled and organized visually.

The Economist had a good article about the changing trends in search engines.

What we see happening in the future is a new segment of search,  that is search as entertainment. We recommend our clients pay more and more attention to search optimization (with consideration for new search engines) as well as website design creative to truly stand out. Media-based design using video, vector and motion graphics has more and more value in this information as entertainment world.

As always, the surfing patterns of your customers is what counts, so each situation needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Viewstream can help with your search marketing and search engine optimization in the ever changing world of search. Give us a shout!