Thought it was imperative to get first page listings in Google? Think if you make the top 10 you’ve got it made? Think again oh clueless one. 
According to search engine user eyetracking research conducted by Eyetools, Enquiro, and Did-it, you’re chances of getting noticed drop from 100% for the first three organic (non-paid) listings to only 60% for the 5th position. Positions 6-10 drop range from 50% to 20% visibility. As far as paid listings, your chances start out at 50% for top position and drop from there to a low of 10% visibility for positions 5-8. The heat map on the right shows the scan and click behavior of Google search users and illustrates why the study sponsors are calling this the Golden Triangle of Search. (Click the link above for a synopsis of the research and info on how to buy the report.)
What’s it mean for you? If a high organic search position is important to you then you need to realize it’s a long term committment to strong content, consistent link building strategies and doing the right things as far as site-setup from the search engines’ perspective goes. If you choose to go the paid search route then realize that the only positions that matter at all are the top 4 so bid accordingly.
