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Tracking Encrypted Yahoo Search with Google Analytics

February 26, 2014
by Gradiva Couzin

By now you have heard, and may have seen, that Yahoo is now starting to encrypt its search data. Many of the more popular news outlets have already discussed Yahoo’s transition to the new age of encrypted search, and you can read up about it in more detail via this link: Yahoo Makes Secure Search The Default

As with Google, Yahoo is no longer passing the search query from the user, but on top of that, it is no longer coming into Google Analytics as Organic traffic. This is a bit of a pain when you’d like to keep your marketing channels in their respective corners. What does the new encrypted Yahoo come in as? We heard early reports that Yahoo would not send any referrer data, and you’d see an increase in Direct traffic. However, from what we have seen reviewing Yahoo search and our Analytics data, this does not appear to be the case.

At this time, Yahoo appears to be sending referrer data that can still be identified within Google Analytics under the domain: r.search.yahoo.com. So, Yahoo is being categorized as a Referral source as seen in the image below:

Given that Yahoo is sending still sending a referral source, we can grab hold of that and categorize it as Organic traffic within Google Analytics.

The first method you may try is to set it up as a new Organic Search Source which is easily done with Universal Analytics. Unfortunately, this method is not possible as a required component for this setup is a query parameter which is not present in Yahoo’s referring URL.

The next option to try (and the one that worked for us) is to use Google Tag Manager to specify the traditional UTM tracking fields based on the referral source. This setup is pretty simple if you are currently using Google Tag Manager to manage your Google Analytics code. If you don’t know what Google Tag Manager is, check out the site for more details: https://www.google.com/tagmanager/

Steps to Track Yahoo Search in Google Analytics with Google Tag Manager

1. Create a new Rule based on Yahoo’s referrer information: r.search.yahoo.com

2. Create a new Tag for Google Analytics and set it up as a Page View. We are using Universal Analytics, but this should be applicable to Classic Google Analytics as well. Below are the following details you will want to specify:

Under “Fields to Set”

campaignKeyword : (not provided)
campaignMedium : organic
campaignSource : yahoo (encrypted)

Set the Firing Rule to the Yahoo Search rule you previously created. Below are the full details of our tag:

3. To avoid firing the Analytics code twice on the page, you will want to add a Blocking Rule to the main Tag that executes your Google Analytics code. The Blocking Rule you will add is the same rule you created in the first step for the Yahoo referrer.

4. When the new and updated tags and rules are saved, create and publish the new version.

5. Verify! Easiest method is to visit Yahoo, search for your site and view Real-Time tracking within Google Analytics. If all went according to plan, you should see something like this:

If all stays the same on Yahoo’s end, you’ll now start seeing this Yahoo traffic appear under the Organic channels in Google Analytics reporting.

If Yahoo changes the way it processes the encrypted search, this method may no longer work. As you may have heard as well, Bing is starting to encrypt its data; as of now, it is currently optional and still evolving. Unfortunately, the method Bing is using at this moment does not pass any referrer data to most sites, causing their search traffic to come in as Direct traffic. The only work-around is to place your entire site on HTTPS in order to identify Bing’s referring properties. The reason for this is due to browsers not passing information when a site goes from HTTPS to HTTP. In Bing’s instance, unlike Google and Yahoo, they are directing their traffic directly from the HTTPS source.

We hope this helps you start tracking Yahoo as Organic traffic again. And, let us know if you are seeing different behavior from Yahoo than we are seeing.

seo resources

Local Business Listings on Google, Yahoo!, and Bing [Updated]

February 19, 2014
by Gradiva Couzin

Local listings are more important than ever. Here’s how to get your business listed in the major local search engines.

Google

Google’s local search results can be seen in Google Maps and as localized results in universal search. You can create a free local business listing on Google+ by logging in and navigating to Create a Google+ Page, but first you’ll need a Google Account.

To claim an existing local business listing, navigate to your business page and click on “Manage this page.”

Yahoo!

Yahoo!’s local search results are available at http://local.yahoo.com. Local listings are free, but listing enhancements can be purchased for $9.95/month or $29.99/month. You can submit your local listing here. (You’ll need a Yahoo account).

Bing

Add a new listing at Bing Places for Business (click on “Get Started”).

To claim your business if it already has a Bing Places listing, navigate to your business listing on Bing.com and click “report a problem.” On the next page, click the “claim this listing” button. Alternatively, you may search for and claim your business on the Bing Places dashboard.

Also note that Bing (as of February 2014) gathers and verifies data from Yelp, so it is a good idea to update Yelp in conjunction with Bing Places.

Ask

Ask’s local listings (available at http://www.ask.com/local) are partnered with Citysearch.com. See below for information on how to add your business to Citysearch.

Citysearch

If your business already has a page on Citysearch, navigate to your business’s page and click on the “Own this business? Unlock this page” link. You’ll be prompted to claim your listing via a free Citygrid account.

Citysearch does not currently feature the option to add local listings on site. Citysearch obtains local business data from InfoUSA. Please read on to learn how to add your business to InfoUSA. After doing so, your business should appear on Citysearch within 1-2 months.

Yelp

Yelp is an online city guide made up of user-generated reviews. Bing has begun to incorporate Yelp data into its local listings; additionally, iOS 6 and iOS 7 integrate Yelp features into its Map application, making Yelp more important than before. To add or update a Yelp listing, follow the outline below:

To add a listing, first perform a search for your business name & location. If no results come up, click the large, red “Add A Business” button on the page. You will need to sign up for a free Yelp account.

To claim an existing business listing, navigate to your business page and click on “Edit Business Info.”

Learn more at the Yelp support center for business owners.

YellowPages.com

Yellowpages.com offers a free listing. Follow the instructions to add your listing here: http://listings.yellowpages.com/.

Infogroup/InfoUSA

Infogroup/InfoUSA has a database with millions of local businesses, and is used by many other search engines to fill out their listings. You can submit your business at http://www.expressupdate.com/search.

Search for your business by entering your business name, phone number or address. If you see your business listed, click the blue “claim now” button. You will receive a phone call at your business phone number to verify that you are the owner. If you do not see your business, click the “add it now” text link.

Localeze

Similar to Infogroup/InfoUSA, Localeze lists local businesses in an extensive database. Add or claim your business listing at www.localeze.com.

If you have an existing listing, you may make updates once per year at no cost. If you do not have an existing listing, or wish to make updates more frequently, you may purchase an annual enhanced listing for $297.

Acxiom

Acxiom’s feeds go to Yellowpages.com, Superpages.com and Google+ Local. To manage your listing via Acxiom, visit this link. Acxiom allows small business owners to list five locations for free. If you have more than 5 locations, the cost is $50 per location annually.