So, courtesy of our resident Wizard and his apprentice, a query was postulated today.

Why doesn't Google provide numbers beside rankings?

If you look at Yahoo, you'll notice the numbered listings that appear beside each result. 1…. 2… 3…. blah, blah, blah.

The premise put forward today was that Google doesn't do this because it may inflate clickthroughs of the first position. Interesting thought, that the number "1" would be more motivation to click than the listing itself.

I'm not sure I agree entirely but it's an interesting thought.

Usability shows that the first listing is always the most clicked on but you do have to wonder if the ratio differs from that of Yahoo, MSN or Ask.com.

Have a good one.

~The (SEP) Guy

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One smart comment

This is an interesting thought. I have never really looked at things this way, but it would be certainly interesting to see the stats of Google results with a numbered list.

My immediate thoughts are perhaps they are right. If the #1 organic listing has a big fat #1 beside it, perhaps people will skip past the AdWords, as it may flag them as more obvious advertisements reducing Googles Bottom line…

Scott  ^#