The other week, AJ Kohn noticed that Google dropped the related searches search option from the options in the search tools. He was noticeably upset because it is a good way for marketers to get more keyword data from Google.
So I asked Google why and Google said searchers weren't using it. Google said:
We weren't seeing enough usage of this filter to maintain it in the toolbar, but we do display related searches at the bottom of the page when they seem relevant enough.
AJ Kohn thinks that is ridiculous. Adding in a Google+ thread:
Okay, so is Google then saying that Reading level and Verbatim are therefore used more than Related Searches was?If that's the case, I've got some swamp land in Florida you might be interesting in.
Well, verbatim is needed but reading level is just one of those cool things.
That being said, clearly Google is taking the approach of only showing the option when they think searchers will most likely use it.
Of course, most is not all.
Forum discussion at Threadwatch and Google+.
