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Table of Contents
Executive Summary and Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Research Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Keyword Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Search Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Click Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Registration/Demand Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
About TechTarget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
About Google . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
In this 2009 study, we partnered with global research provider OTX to track IT buyer
behavior. Our goal here was to see if, when presented with actual SERP(search engine
rendered pages), the IT buyers specific search behavior, as indicated by what they
actually did on these pages, would deviate from the first study.
In effect we tracked the differences between what buyers said they would do versus
what they actually did when presented with simulated search environments.
Based on the behavioral study responses it becomes obvious that the users’ actual
behavior closely resembles findings from the first study. However there were some
notable differences, especially between the three roles; CIOs, directors and administrators.
• CIOs in this study used keyword queries around “solution” more in early stage as compared
to other titles and had the tendency to dig deeper with search results (more pages) than
their team counterparts.
• In general the respondents did associate the same keywords with the same stages as
indicated in our 2008 study. The only apparent difference had to do with the query word
“comparison” being searched on more in consideration stage than the last study indicated
where it came up predominantly in decision stage.
• Content types clearly influence search choices, second to title and topics.
• Click maps reveal significantly more users skim the entire search page for results
as compared to the last study.
• Analysis of what type of content listings appeal to users based on stage, reinforces that
awareness content is of most appeal in early stage and same with consideration type
content for mid stage, but deviation occurs in end stage where consideration and decision
type content are equally searched.
• Provide fresh insights to marketers for search, lead generation and branding
Methodology
• Online survey fielded September 2009
Demographics
• 750+ Respondents
• US (54%)
• UK (46%)
• CIO’s (17%)
• IT Directors (36%)
• IT Administrators (46%)
Cisco troubleshoot
Issue/
“Solution A” Brand CA optimize resolve
Opportunity
Microsoft upgrade
solution compare
tool review
2009
Issue/opportunity phrases were used more in the awareness phase, and were used less frequently
towards the later stages. Brand and comparison/review phrases were used more towards the
decision phase of the IT buying process. Whereas solution phrases were used more during the
consideration phase.
50%
issue/opportunity
40%
brand
30%
comparison/review
20%
solution
10%
0%
Early Mid Late
issue/opportunity
40%
brand
30%
comparison/review
20%
solution
10%
0%
Early Mid Late
• During the awareness stage, CIOs use more solution phrases than
directors or administrators
50%
40%
CIO
30% Director
Administrator
20%
10%
0%
ty
ty
ty
on
n
an
an
an
iso
tio
iso
tio
tio
ni
ni
ni
ris
tu
tu
tu
Br
Br
Br
lu
lu
lu
r
r
pa
pa
pa
or
or
or
So
So
So
m
m
pp
pp
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Co
Co
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O
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e/
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Searching for specific brands across all stages seems to be generally more prevalent in this study
Issue/Opportunity
Keywords Solution
Comparison
Brand
Online communities
Search engines
eBooks
Email newsletters
Editorial articles
White papers
Content Types Podcasts
Case studies
Online videos
Webcasts
Virtual trade shows
Product literature
Trial software
Online vendor demos
Title and Topic are the most critical to click-throughs in all phases of the buying cycle.
Content type is a clear 2nd in importance, which is a major change from 2008 study where
there was no content type preferences. A vendor preference is most notable during the decision
stage, but very limited during awareness.
69%
Title/Topic 67%
66%
56%
Content type 66%
49%
29%
Familiar with source/URL 34%
35%
18%
Proven industry expert 27%
34%
9%
Vendor preference 28%
40%
2008 Results
• >80% of users skim the results
page before clicking
• 38% click on search advertising
2009 Results
• Click maps show that >80%
of users skim entire search
results page
• 33% click on search advertising
Behavior indicates the vast majority of users click on Page 1 of search results. Clearly users
are finding valuable content on Page 1 and only exploring more search result pages as needed.
According to click-map observations, top organic rankings do not equate with the top click
rates. Titles and content summaries clearly influence which listings are clicked. Click distribution
is even more pronounced for consideration and decision stages searches.
>30%
21–30%
11–20%
1–10%
These 3 graphs validate that as logic would have it all titles are predominantly looking for
content that parallels the stage they are in (awareness and consideration) but in decision phase
there is more ambiguity as results reflect both consideration and decision stage listings.
Awareness Phase
79%
Awareness 80%
78%
68%
Consideration 64% CIO’s
58%
Directors
44%
Decision 48% Administrators
39%
Consideration Phase
40%
Awareness 30%
30%
86%
Consideration 88%
87%
53%
Decision 57%
51%
Decision Phase
45%
Awareness 35%
39%
61%
Consideration 66%
58%
71%
Decision 73%
66%
CIOs and directors are more willing to provide email addresses and phone numbers,
and CIOs are most willing to provide accurate information overall. UK CIOs and
directors are significantly more willing to provide phone numbers in comparison
to their US counterparts.
Almost 50% of users withhold accurate information because they are doing early
stage research and aren’t ready to be contacted. 84% are concerned about unwanted
phone calls.
2008 2009
• CIO’s were 37% more willing to provide phone numbers than administrators
• Directors were 16% more willing to provide phone numbers than administrators
• CIO’s were 17% more willing to provide email addresses than administrators
• Directors were 13% more willing to provide email addresses than administrators
About Google
Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and
useful. Google operates what is widely recognized as the world’s largest search engine, and also
provides a variety of useful business services. Google designed its AdWords™ service to help
businesses and organizations efficiently reach a qualified audience on Google and its network
of partner websites. Hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide use AdWords to acquire
customers, launch products, and achieve their brand goals using targeted text, image, and rich media
ads priced on a cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression (CPM) basis. With its controls, reporting,
and auction-based bidding system, AdWords is designed for marketers who value flexibility and
measurable, efficient results. More information about AdWords is available online at
http://adwords.google.com
Marilou Barsam
TechTarget
117 Kendrick Street
Needham, MA 02494
mbarsam@TechTarget.com
www.TechTarget.com
781•657•1525
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