This is my entry in the Blog Statistics – Search Terms project
Tibor Radványi at photonovice.net is running a new project, calling for photographers (professional, beginner, or enthusiast) who run blogs/websites to reveal the search terms that are being used to reach their websites. What weird, wonderful, or even [audible gasp] photography-related terms are being used to find your website? I can only imagine the types of search terms Tibor is receiving to have created this project!
The project does raise a few interesting questions about you guys: how do you search the web? what are you looking for? do you find what you are looking for? more specifically, do you find what you are looking for on my website? Viewing statistics can be incredibly addictive, especially when a site is new and slowly gaining traffic. But what do they really mean? I decided to dig a little deeper than usual to find out. I will, however, focus on only the search terms for the purpose of the project.
What are you looking for?
I was quite surprised to see that the search terms in my blog stats are very consistent. Most of my readers are searching for iPhoto tips and information about the vintage camera, Voigtlander Vito BL. This is a good sign because:
- a) I have a few posts on these topics;
- b) I am writing content that you are interested in;
- c) we share a common interest in photography.
I discovered many variations on the following terms (I have linked back to the relevant posts/categories):
- “vintage camera“;
- “voigtlander bl“
- “voigtlander vito manual;
- “resize image iPhoto“;
- “iPhoto editing“;
- “special effects on iPhoto“.
Over and over, variations on these themes.
Any oddities?
As I mentioned, the search terms are very consistent (can’t wait to see your results, Tibor!). Apart from the visitor who was looking for “homemade pergolas” (I did mention a pergola in one post) which is not all that photography related.
My favourite search term is in French. Again, looking for iPhoto tips: “resizer une image dans iphoto”.
Oh, there were a couple of searches on my name…no, it wasn’t me ego surfing!
How do you search?
One thing I found interesting, other than consistency of subject, is how search terms are phrased. The majority of search terms are prefaced with “how to…”, such as “how to lower resolution in iphotos for email”; “how to add colour in iPhoto”. I found this curious at first, but on reflection, I believe I search the same way. After all the usual reason we search is to find out how to do something, right?
What do these searches say about you?
Well, in regard to all the iPhoto search terms, I can see I am in the company of fellow Mac users who enjoy editing photos and sharing them. And some vintage camera hobbyists, as well. Very cool! My recent introduction to GIMP, however, doesn’t reveal what platform you use in the search terms (ie Windows or Mac) but we are interested in the same things. So, please let me know in the comments what other posts you’d like to see here at Lilahpops.
If you are interested in participating in the project the deadline is 21 March 2008.
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