Google tracking SERPs performance?

[ChrisM]

Have google always tracked clickthru's on their site (ie organic listings) - I'm sure they didnt used to - but just spotted they are doing.

Unless I'm mistaken (which is not incredibly unlikely) is this something to do with the new algorithm??

C

[cat]

Yes, they track the mousedown event, they have been doing this for at least 18 months.
They did change the parameters about 6 months ago.

[ChrisM]

Cant believe i'd not noticed that before - have to admit i was wondring why they wouldn't

[cat]

The don't "seem" to use the information.
Adjusting the SERPS based on which result was clicked on and how long and how many pages viewed, should be some indication of quality.

[ChrisM]

Hmmm this is weird - the listings are now direct to the page (i.e. no redirect)

[cat]

I've never seen redirects on SERPS only tracking via mousedown event.
Even this tracking varies on different datacenters.

But I don't look that often... well not anymore. (I've gone AWOL in google SERPS :-()

[ChrisM]

I might be using the wrong terminology - what happened when I started this thread was the organic listings were pointing to something like www.google.co.uk?position=[rank]&url=[url]

I can't remember the exact format but you get the idea.

[morleymouse]

ive noticed that sort of tracking before, seems to come and go

no idea about it though

[ChrisM]

I'm actually wondering if I'd got javascript turned off or something - been playing with settings but can't replicate it. Would they be able to detect javascript being disabled?

[morleymouse]

they would

edit: I think

but i do think its just like some random every now and again thing, might just do it for terms with a certain keyword on saturdays between certain times or something