A survey from Page One Power shines a new light on the importance of brand recognition and consumer trust in organic search results. This Google Search Results survey analyzed thousands of data points to analyze consumer behavior, and you’ll want to know the results.
The Rundown
The most important statistics from this search engine survey are:
- 59% of searchers click on known brands in search results
- More than 2/3rds of searchers click on results that aren’t ranked first
- 49% of US searchers trust organic results more than paid results
- Google is still the most trusted source of information for searchers in the US
Table of Contents
Decoding The Survey
Let’s dive right into the biggest stats of the survey.
Consumer Trust
- 59% of searchers click on brands they recognize, even if they’re not ranked first on the results page. This highlights the importance of brand SEO for growing your business, especially in a crowded niche.
- More than 2/3rds of searchers will click on results that aren’t ranked first on the results page.
- Over 50% of Gen Z and millennials click due to great reviews and star ratings, while most baby boomers and Gen X searchers are drawn to compelling headlines.
Gunning for the first spot on SERPs isn’t everything, and you don’t have to spend more to get the top spot if you want to grow. A great SEO strategy can boost your traffic by targeting the right audience at a fraction of the cost. Erewhon doesn’t rank first for ‘smoothie LA,’ but they’re still the market leader in their segment–don’t underestimate brand SEO.
Trust in Search
- According to the Google Search Results survey, 49% of American searchers say organic search results are more trustworthy than paid results. 54% of men trust organic results more, while 50% of women trust organic and paid results equally.
- Despite the trust deficit, over 50% of Americans still click on paid search results.
- Google is still the most trusted source of information for 52% of Americans.
If you’re not leveraging PPC to grow, you could miss out on potentially half your audience. A holistic SEM strategy that combines SEO and PPC is still the best way to scale in 2025.
Search Engine Alternatives: Looking Beyond Google
- 60% of Americans believe there should be more Google alternatives. Brand SEO aside, businesses must build their presence on platforms like Bing and LLMs.
- 36% of millennials and Gen Z searchers say Google is not their first choice.
Build Your Brand With a Top Agency
Brand recognition in today’s dynamic environment needs a combination of PPC, SEO, and web design. Coalition Technologies is an award-winning digital marketing agency that delivers on all three fronts. Get started with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is brand SEO?
This form of optimization uses SEO strategies to strengthen brand recognition. For example, Nike would focus on brand-specific keywords like “Nike shoes” to build their search engine presence.
Why do Google Search Results surveys matter?
These surveys give us unique insights into consumer behavior and industry trends, which we can use to tweak our strategies for the best results.
Can I perform brand SEO by myself?
You can, but a successful SEO strategy requires extensive, time-consuming keyword research, competitor analysis, and content optimization. The best way to guarantee results is to contact a professional marketing agency like Coalition Technologies.
