Life Gets More Difficult - Keyword Not Provided

In Autumn 2011 Google encrypted search using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) became the default setting for all users signed into their Google account. For SEO engineers & webmasters monitoring their analytics, this move has of course made life much more difficult.

We have already seen a significant increase in Keyword "Not Provided". It looks as if this figure may rise further because in December Google & Mozilla renewed their deal to keep Google as the default browser. If encrypted search were to be turned on by default from the Firefox search box the number of "Not Provided" keyword referrals in analytics would increase massively.

Given the privacy concerns surrounding many of Google's practices which have sparked concern throughout Europe and their stated commitment to provide the best search experience for their users, they could easily add this default setting to Chrome.

It would be interesting to know if users believe that tracking keywords is an invasion of their privacy?

Posted by Dan at 22/03/2012 19:54:00