Brand names are the most popular search terms for the first time ever according to the latest Hitwise report. This is great news for companies already including their product and brand names in their search engine optimisation and a wake up call for businesses not integrating SEO with their marketing mix. More about SEO and Branding report

Search volume for branded search terms has increased by a bullish 23% in the last three years – up from 65% in 2005 to 88% this year.

Rebecca Appleton, operations director of SEO agency Top Position says, “These stats show that UK internet user behaviour is changing. Sustained growth in the kinds of keywords we are using to track down desired products and services means that companies advertising online must also adapt. In practical terms, this data shows that search engine users are no longer just searching for generic terms like ‘cheap flights’ or ‘mobile phones’ but looking for brands most readily associated with these products.

With 9 in 10 of all UK internet searches being driven by brand names, the surprising findings highlight just how important a branded SEO campaign is shaping up to be. Including optimisation activity and particularly social media activity (which also fared well in the report) earlier in the planning and marketing process looks set to be critical to company search share volume and traffic figures.

To find out more about using SEO as part of your marketing mix, call Top Position today on 0800 094 9001