On Using Keyword Search Volume Offline

An interesting WSJ article, this morning, outlines the growth in using search engine databases in predicting consumer demand and buzz meter and perpetual focus group all in one.

The article talks about how marketers may use search based keyword research and apply it into offline in an attempt to predict potential product success based on perceived consumer demand.

There is evidence that data about consumer searches could prove valuable to businesses in other ways. As part of an experiment, Google analyzed search-query volumes related to movies released in 2005 and compared them with opening weekend box-office revenue for each movie. The company found that it could predict with 82% or higher accuracy based on consumer search activity as early as six weeks before the opening whether a film would top $25 million in receipts its first weekend.

This is a trend that will only get more and more popular as it can give one a current “state-of-demand” for a particular product prior to spending money on development.

[via SEL]