I am not really a big fan of Search Marketing but since it is such a big phenomenon (and I have to confess — pretty effective too!) so I have keep track of what’s going on in the industry to not let my competitors have an edge over my websites / ventures.

Since I don’t really have the time or interest to dig through so much information at various forums and other venues, so what I do is that I read Barry’s SERoundTable.com and Aaron’s SEOBook.com and they do an awesome job reporting the pulse of the industry in a heartbeat.

Today while reading SERoundTable, I came across this post — 11-Year-Old Fails With Google And Switches To Yahoo!. Here’s the convo that took place between a dad and his daughter that was reported in that post :

Daughter says, “So dad I was working on my architecture project and presentation last night for social studies. I ended up using Yahoo to find my answers instead of Google.”

Dad says, “Oh? Why is that?”

Daughter says, “I tried Google first and all I was finding was amazon site trying to sell me books on architecture.”

Dad says, “So then you tried Yahoo?”

Daughter says, “Yes. I was able to find 2 sites on the first page of Yahoo last night that helped me a lot on my project!”

Dad says, “You couldn’t find anything on Google?”

Daughter says, “No. Not on the first page. I gave up.”

Dad says, “What words did you use in your search?”

Daughter says, “I don’t remember. I was trying to find different blue prints and general architecture information.”

Dad says, “Well that is why there is more then one search engine, good for you trying more then just one!”

Search is an extremely competitive industry with a clear leader Google. Every time Google sneezes, it makes the headline of every publication out there.

However, the statement “that is why there is more then one search engine” and the fact that Yahoo!, MSN and ASK.com are still there and thriving is extremely inspiring.

Now, I am not into general search business and neither have any intentions to get into it but the situation that I am into industries about as competitive (or perhaps more) is what makes it inspirational.

You can’t be everything to everyone. So you will always have a role to play, no matter how big are sthe harks.