Ever wonder how to figure out if people are really paying attention to your brand? Here’s a fresh way to do it — it’s called Share of Search. It’s not just a marketing buzzword. It’s a powerful metric you can actually use to grow your brand.
What is Share of Search?
Imagine there are 100 people searching online for products in your category. If 25 of them look for your brand by name? Then your Share of Search is 25%. Easy, right?
Think of it as the digital version of word-of-mouth. When more people search for you, it usually means you’re top of mind.
Why Should You Care?
Share of Search tells you:
- If your brand is gaining attention
- How you stack up against competitors
- Whether your marketing is working
It’s like peeking into your audience’s brain, via Google.
How to Calculate Share of Search
You only need three things:
- A list of top brands in your category
- The monthly Google search volume for each brand
- A calculator (or a spreadsheet)
Step-by-step guide:
- Go to Google Trends or use a keyword tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
- Find the number of searches for your brand (e.g. “YourBrand”).
- Add the search numbers for all brands in your industry.
- Divide your brand’s searches by the total from step 3.
- Multiply by 100 to get the percentage. Done!
Example: If your brand is searched 3,000 times, and total category searches are 10,000? Your Share of Search is 30%.
How to Use Share of Search
This is the fun part. You can use this metric in so many ways:
- Track brand health: Is awareness growing or shrinking?
- Spot trends: Launch a campaign and watch the needle move.
- Benchmark against rivals: How do you compare to the competition?
- Forecast sales: Studies show Share of Search often predicts future market share.
Best of all, it updates in real-time. No waiting for expensive reports.
How to Improve Your Share of Search
You’ve checked your share. Now what? Let’s boost it!
1. Run Smart Campaigns
Think creative. Think big. The more people remember your brand, the more they’ll search for it.
2. Invest in SEO
Be the answer to people’s questions. Make sure your website shows up for the right terms. And don’t forget local SEO if you’re a physical business.
3. Work on Your PR Game
Get featured in news articles, podcasts, and interviews. Buzz = searches.
4. Stay Active on Social Media
Post content people love. Meme? Yes. Tips? Absolutely. Giveaways? Jackpot.
5. Collaborate with Influencers
If someone popular mentions your brand, people will Google you. Every time.
Watch It Over Time
Share of Search isn’t a one-and-done metric. Check it monthly. Compare with past data. You’ll see how seasons, product launches, and even competitor flops affect your brand’s presence.
Bonus Tips
- Use exact brand name searches. No generic terms!
- Be consistent – use the same brand list every month
- Remember, spikes don’t always mean growth – analyze smartly!
In Conclusion
Share of Search is simple. It’s free. And it’s shockingly powerful.
If people are Googling you, you’re in their minds. If not? Time to take action.
So go ahead — measure your Share of Search today. Then start turning those searches into real-life fans, customers, and sales!
