Google Instant – What Does it Mean for Recruitment SEO

Back in September Google unveiled a new product called Google Instant, an AJAX-powered search result enhancement that basically predicts a users' search queries. Once Google Instant Search is activated, you'll see a range of possible search results as soon as you start typing.

The announcement of Google Instant, like any new search engine product launch or algorithm update has caused real buzz in the recruitment SEO community. Some, in fact, are worried it will make SEO irrelevant.

I personally am not impressed with Google instant, after a few days I shut it off as it got overly annoying. My prediction is Instant will die just like Google Buzz did

Search Prediction is not a new concept; Yahoo had instant search back in 2005. To avoid “risk” they launched in on a second property, known as AllTheWeb.

Does Google Instant SEO Irrelevant?

Nope – and those that feel differently, in my opinion, have a fundamental misunderstanding of what SEO is all about.

According to Google, the factors they use to determine search relevance have not changed. Despite what is suggested by Google Instant – the results are still controlled by the same algorithm. Meaning whether a searcher uses instant or not, it won’t affect the results that are displayed.

Sure, users might tweak their search queries slightly but they aren’t going to completely abandon what they were looking for in the first place. Example: If you were looking for IT jobs in Minnesota, you won’t suddenly be interested in IT Jobs in Montana just because it’s something Google suggests.

What Does This Mean for Your Career Website?

•  Keep an eye on your analytics – Campaign success is determined through data. That said; you should always be tracking how visitors are finding your career site as well as what they’re doing once they get there. Play close attention to new search terms people might be using to get to your career site or drops in traffic for other keywords.

•  Give your visitors what they want - SEO isn’t about creating landing pages for every keyword phrase you’d like visibility for. It’s about creating an engaging, content rich career site that addresses the needs of your candidates.

•  Keyword Research Never Ends – Keyword research is an ongoing process. Searchers’ behaviors are always evolving and the recruitment industry is always changing. The suggestion from Google instant gives marketers another tool to use when conducting keyword research. You don’t know estimated search traffic but one has to assume if Google’s suggesting it, it’s a good phrase to use.

Recruitment SEO is an ever evolving and exciting field. In order to stay competitive one must welcome change and adapt strategies accordingly.