Google search was the first to introduce Universal search on the web. It is considered the next big step in search engine evolution. If you are a Google user, you most likely have noticed when you are in the search results you will see images next to links.

Sometimes you will see YouTube videos or any other forms of media. While other search engines have adapted the idea and now have it on their sites, some have made announcements that they are going to feature universal search. Since there has been a change in search engines, this warrants that SEO companies pay close attention.

Many search engines along with Google realize that there is information available more than just text on the web. Videos, pictures and any type of media can be of use to the searcher. Google has tools that are available for the users but they are spread out into tabs on the website. Universal search is mainly to bring relevant information to the searcher from any source or medium.

The only fall back to universal search is that like Google, they have had multiple lawsuits against them from content distributors because Google often caches copyrighted material. Mainly all the lawsuits were from newspapers. Some critics have voiced their opinion that universal search is unappealing to users. It breaks up the results from the search leaving users somewhat confused.

Many SEO’s have been worried about how it will effect and change the way people view Google. Right now SEO deals entirely with keyword optimization, Meta data, linking and page structure. However Universal search opens up variable options opening up along with the traffic. The search expands more and more results related to the topic but SEOs want users to find the results that are easily accessible and easy to find. Also, being for the SEO’s that it becomes necessary to optimize pages, videos and documents that are associated with the website.