Comments on: US Desktop Search Volume Declines

By: Bob Green

Bob Green — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 04:40:51 +0000

Some eye opening stats here. I’m already using my mobile devices more hours per day than my notebook. I still do my research work and web dev on the notebook but, most of my reading and local search is on mobile.

By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 03:18:13 +0000

Made me wonder how much of the tablet (read: iPad) visits are replacing Mac desktop visits vs. PC desktop visits.

By: AJ Kohn

AJ Kohn — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:41:07 +0000

Ellie,

Thanks for the kind words. I was in a grumpy mood that day and threw a bit of a hissy fit. I’m glad others are tracking the changes in search behavior.

I’m actually not surprised that smartphone search has made inroads on desktop search. One of the issues here is what you define as search. There is a lot of non-traditional search (voice, map etc.) that is being done on smartphones that would reduce the volume on desktops.

But you’re right, the larger screen formats of tablets are clearly where we’ll see more incursion. The question is whether those searches are materially different from desktop. Phones are certainly different, but tablets may be more similar to desktop than to phone.

By: Ellie Kesselman

Ellie Kesselman — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:59:06 +0000

I just found my way here from Owen’s post about search, where you left a comment.

Business Insider should consider using your work (to be charitable). What you posted here compares rather favorably with Owen’s entry of about a week ago.

I find it difficult to believe that search on smartphones is at the point where it is making serious incursions into search on laptop or desktop. Regarding other mobile devices, with larger screens, well… there is much more potential there! I think there will always be a role for search, find it unlikely that general search will be replaced in total, or nearly so, by specialized apps. Not in the near term…

By: David Chevalier

David Chevalier — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:45:34 +0000

While sites should be optimized for mobile, I think the size of the screen limits the amount of searching that will be done on smart phones.

Therefore, as Micah Fisher-Kirshner mentioned, tablets seem particularly important to watch. Do you think there is an optimal screen size where searches can happen on a mobile device comfortably enough to cannibalize most of remaining desktop search?

By: responsiv Design oder Mobile First

responsiv Design oder Mobile First — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:45:02 +0000

[...] US Desktopsuche nimmt das erste Mal seit 7 Jahren ab,die Suchanfragen wandern in den mobilen Markt.US search declines. Golem Mobiler Markt in DE. Surfen mit mobilen Endgeräten – so reagieren Nutzer, wenn die [...]

By: Christopher West

Christopher West — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 04:32:59 +0000

Not surprising – mobile phones are more common, laptops are smaller, tablets are almost everywhere… (even at my kids Kidnergarten!)

By: AJ Kohn

AJ Kohn — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:38:36 +0000

Exactly Lewis! I’m surprised by how many in the search community seem resistant to change when it’s really part of the industry’s DNA.

By: Lewis LaLanne

Lewis LaLanne — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:41:48 +0000

I love the last sentence of this post . . . “Search, it’s never boring.”

Search is the wrong game for someone who can’t embrace change. The people who whine about an ever evolving, shape-shifting platform like the web are going to lose BIG TIME . . . if they haven’t already and are crying from the stands about being busted out of the game.

But for those of us who like riding on the cutting edge or get crushed and get back up again swinging, this ride feels like home.

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 05:52:33 +0000

Hello AJ, I found you from an article on thestreet.com. Nice work, I’ll be back, on my phone next time just to help you feel better;)