Google Arrow Points The Way

If you've done a Google search in the last few weeks you may have noticed a small blue arrow that has appeared next to the top search result. Depending on which version of the Google results page you're viewing (rollouts can take a few weeks to complete) you may be scratching you head as to what it is.

It is all part of the Google Instant upgrade. Results are displayed immediately beneath the search box as you type. Obviously as this means your hands are on the keyboard there needs to be an easy way for you to choose the result that you want without having to reach for the mouse, saving time that could add up to minutes across an entire working day (!).

But seriously, using the up and down cursor keys is of course much more user friendly and indeed the blue arrow courteously jumps down the list of results as they are pressed. Give it a try and then press Enter to follow the link.

For those that having listings on Google - including paid listings - one has to ask the question on the effect all this will have on click-through rates (OK, Key-through-rates) on listings. Uses may indeed choose to follow the top listings through ease rather than seeking what they want.

Our advice is to keep a close eye on your tracking over the next few weeks to make sure, particularly with paid adverts, that you are not seeing a sharp increase in bounce rate or drop in conversion rate.