Recently, User Centric, a consulting firm that focuses on improving users’ experience, conducted an eye tracking study to compare the amount and distribution of attention spent on Bing and Google search results pages.
Participants in the study included 24 “experienced users” of both Google and Bing, all between 18 and 54 years old. Each performed eight searches; four on Google and four on Bing.
Regardless of whether the users were using Google or Bing search engine, all 24 participants looked at the organic search results for their queries. However, nearly 80% ignored the paid ads on the right side of the page. Participants spent more time looking on the left on Bing (2.9 seconds) than on Google (1.2 seconds). That means, ad placement among the top sponsored results on Google attracted 22% more attention than on Bing.
User Centric’s resources include the largest dedicated usability testing studio and most portable labs of any North American consulting firm.
Source and more details about this study: Eye Tracking Bing vs. Google: A Second Look
Image source: usercentric.com
