The Top 5 Reasons Google Dominates The Market

Why is Google so popular? The fact it exists in the Oxford Dictionary, as a verb, suggests it’s held in a pretty high regard. Although, grrl, gaydar and muggle are also in, so that might discredit Google's social relevance somewhat. But the figures below cannot be denied. It dominates the opposition. Here are the top 5 reasons why:

1. Simplicity - Google is easily the most user friendly search engine available. It allows new users to adapt instantly and converts them into loyal customers. The simple interface is attractive and familiar, and the rare changes they make to the word 'google' for a special occasion are almost always buzz-worthy.

2. Safety and Security - Naturally, there are different type of safety, but in terms its susceptibility to hackers or stolen personal information, it is incredibly safe. It  has a 'safe-search' filter which intends to weed out inappropriate content for kids. It isn't always successful, but neither are Bing and Yahoo's safe searches either. It's an area where search engines could clearly improve, but filtering the millions of hits they'd receive each second isn't an easy task and some are probably bound to slip through the cracks. Nevertheless, Google's brand value is so strong, it lends itself to being a website of security and safety anyway.

3. Accuracy and Relevance - Google are currently upgrading their search engine to provide more accurate results. It's an improvement to an already elite and highly critical element of the Google operations. Its algorithm is ever-evolving to give its searchers the most up-to-date, relevant results, and its one area which it possesses an advantage over its rivals 

4. Additional features - Google's quick-links to things like Maps, Gmail, Blogger and YouTube help draw interest to the homepage and create customer loyalty. On their own, these features are highly appealing and popular, but tied in with Google's search engine and reach, they create a powerful, integrated brand. Its analytics program is arguably the best of its kind - simple and easy to install. And because anybody can create code for Google Analytics, and there are some fantastic scripts and add-ons out there to improve results. The fact its free makes it that much more appealing.

5. Advertising - Google's advertising reach makes it an attractive proposition for many businesses, particularly given its advantages in control, personalisation and specificity. The fact you can only actually be charged when someone clicks through to your page often attracts new business into trying it, and having experienced some success at a relatively minor cost, they continue to purchase the advertising. 

I'm aware many other search engines possess similar qualities, but Google simply does it better. And from a personal point of view, I'm so accustomed to using it, I don't even think twice when I want to search something - I'm already 'googling' before I realise it. Searching habits are often so ingrained within users, a rival has to present a key point of difference to attract different customers, and currently there isn't one, hence Google's dominance. But that's my take on things, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. What can other search engines like Bing and Yahoo do to attract your interest? Have you found one to be better than another? Comment below and let me know!