The Rise of Private Search Engines: How They Impact PPC & SEO
Internet users have become focused on security threats, looking to keep their online activity private and their data from being collected. As a result, private browsing has grown exponentially with surveys showing that one in every three people use private browsing.
As privacy concerns continue to remain a major focus as technology intertwines with our daily lives. But what does private search engines mean for PPC and SEO?
Private searching, also known as incognito mode, is Google's version to private browsing. Internet uses confuse the function of private search engines and VPNs. Private search engines can't make you anonymous, but it does hide your browsing history, preventing websites from tracking you and storing your details. Even with private search engines, the search engine still has access to your login history, location, and IP address.
Private search engines start a temporary session and when terminated, it clears your file downloads, browsing history, and cookies.
Most browsers today offer private browsing features, such as DuckDuckGo, that automatically protects user data without manually switching to private browsing. Many people use private search engines to shop online or when using a public computer.
Even though users are switching to private search engines, their activity can still be tracked through cookies, which are small files that a website stores, recognising the device in the future to provide a personalised experience. This means understanding data privacy laws, knowing what you can and cannot do.
There was a time where you could track your audiences every move on the internet, but unfortunately that was in the past. Data collection is becoming more complex by the data with more restrictions on data usage, meaning website owners are having to look at different ways to target their audience without relying on analytics.
It could potentially result in adopting older marketing methods where you cast a wide net and market to a wider audience.
In a world where data privacy is a major concern, we recommend making transparency the heart of your collection process. Provide a clear privacy policy, obtain consent before using the data, and give your visitors the option to opt in or out.
Over the past ten years, digital marketers have focused on small and specific audiences, but with private search engines, you are going to have to target larger groups, creating high quality content and running multiple PPC adverts from different angles to identify which adverts best resonate with your audience.
In a world of private search engines, you are going to need to focus on brand recognition and awareness, perfecting your brand message and connecting with your audience regularly. You need your business to be visible to the world, ensuring people recognise it through repeat exposure.
Data-driven digital marketing is still very much alive, but the future impact of private search engines is still relatively unknown. For now, we recommend focusing on data privacy, making adjustments to ensure you comply with regulations, providing high quality content, and targeting a wider audience. Genie Crawl is an experienced and reputable digital marketing agency, backed by years of experience in all areas of digital marketing, including marketing for private search engines. Contact our team now to see how we can help you grow your business online.
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