10 Actionable Search Engine Marketing Stats

Search engine marketing is constantly evolving, and understanding the numbers behind user behaviour can help you refine your strategies. Here are ten powerful statistics—along with actionable tips—that you can put to use today.

1. Mobile Devices Drive 60–65% of Website Traffic

Mobile browsing has officially overtaken desktop, meaning that the majority of users interact with websites on their smartphones and tablets. If your site isn’t optimised for mobile, you could be losing more than half of your potential audience.

Action: Ensure your website is fully mobile-responsive, with fast-loading, easy-to-navigate pages. Test across devices regularly.

2. 40% of Users Leave Websites That Load Slowly

Speed is everything in digital marketing. A slow site doesn’t just frustrate users—it can also harm your search engine rankings.

Action: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to audit performance, and optimise images, hosting, and code to keep load times under 3 seconds.

3. Blogs Generate 67% More Leads Than Websites Without

Publishing consistent, valuable content builds trust, authority, and visibility in search engines, leading directly to more leads and conversions.

Action: Start or expand a blog with content focused on solving customer pain points and answering common search queries.

4. Case Studies Influence 73% of B2B Buyers

Case studies provide social proof and demonstrate real-world applications, making them incredibly persuasive in the decision-making process.

Action: Showcase detailed case studies on your site highlighting client challenges, solutions, and results. Repurpose them into different formats (videos, infographics, social posts) to extend their reach.

5. 47% of Global Purchases Happen Online

Nearly half of all buying activity happens digitally, showing just how critical a strong online presence is for sales growth.

Action: Invest in seamless e-commerce experiences, optimise checkout processes, and integrate secure payment methods to capture more of this growing digital market.

6. 72% of Marketing Budgets Go Towards Digital Channels

Marketers are prioritising digital because that’s where consumers spend their time. Traditional methods are being overshadowed by data-driven online campaigns.

Action: Reassess your budget allocation and consider shifting resources towards paid ads, SEO, and content marketing to stay competitive.

7. 93% of Shoppers Read Online Reviews Before Buying

Reviews are the new word-of-mouth. They influence decisions at every stage of the buyer journey.

Action: Actively request reviews from satisfied customers, respond promptly to feedback, and showcase positive testimonials prominently on your site.

8. Google Accounts for 92% of Search Engine Traffic

With Google dominating the search market, focusing your efforts on ranking there is essential.

Action: Prioritise Google SEO best practices—keyword optimisation, structured data, mobile-friendly web design, and high-quality backlinks—to maximise visibility.

9. 70% of Searches Use Three or More Words

Long-tail keywords dominate search queries, showing that users prefer specificity when searching online.

Action: Incorporate long-tail keywords into your SEO and paid campaigns to capture high-intent traffic and reduce competition.

10. 97% of Consumers Research Local Businesses Online First

From local service providers to retail shops, online research is the top method for finding and choosing nearby businesses.

Action: Optimise your Google Business Profile, keep your NAP (name, address, phone number) consistent across platforms, and create localised content.

Power Up Your Marketing With Sayu

These statistics prove that search engine marketing success is rooted in understanding user behaviour. By taking small but intentional actions, you can significantly boost visibility, engagement, and conversions. If you’d like expert guidance in applying these strategies, explore our tailored marketing services at sayu.co.uk.