In NYC the SES (Search Engine Strategies) exhibit was all about Google Universal!

comScore announced the first stats around Universal Search.

“during one week in January 2008. During this period we observed over 220 million Google searches containing a universal result, out of 1.2 billion searches overall:

1. 17% of the queries had a universal result
2. 16% of total Google clicks were sourced from a page where a universal result was present
3. 14% of paid clicks were sourced from result pages where a universal result was present”

comScore also declared:
“This is not an insignificant number and shows that universal / mash-up / blended search results are clearly now in play. It will be interesting to track how this grows (or not) over time.”
“the shift from 17% total universal search results to 14% paid clicks is a vital stat. In other research situations, a move of 3 percentile points is hardly worth mentioning. In the world of search – where decimal points of change move tens of millions in commerce – it’s a big deal. It means that the presence of a universal results yield fewer clicks and will create more competition among search marketers”

AND SOMETHING BIG FOR US:

“It will be incumbent upon the marketers to quickly adapt and create videos and images that are relevant to the consumer and make them available to the search engines”

So if you’re marketer and you’re around just give us a call…We can definitely help you!