Better click through rate in 2nd position?

[Thos003]

I'm digging through my Google Webmaster tools and found something really odd. On one particular keyword phrase Google is reporting a higher CTR on the 2nd position over the first. A lot higher. Per Google the 2nd position is getting a 31% CTR. Has anyone else seen this?

[IPROdigital]

Perhaps you have a better description or more compelling title based on the searches? Not impossible. That's why I tell clients that even if they don't rank above competitors but are on the visible part of Page 1 with a more compelling title and description that may be enough to get the visitor to click through.

[EGOL]

I like this question....

Yes, I have seen it.... you can create this condition by smart title tag writing.

• You are out-ranked by the publisher, who you will probably never beat, but you entice more clicks by shouting a kickass price in your title tag.

• Your title tag shouts some great value proposition such as FREE Shipping, FAST delivery.

• Your title tag is simply more sexy by use of the words... "Secret Method.....     Kickass Results.....   or..... Free BEER

[PageOnePowerGang]

I've seen this happen many times, we've had clients who have received the same if not higher traffic in positions 2-4 then they did once we got them into position #1. I think many users are drawn to a clever title and description of the page not necessarily the #1 position. Like IPROdigital said as long as you are visible on page #1, I'd say about the fold, and you have a compelling title and description you are going to get some traffic that is equivalent or sometimes even better then the site in position #1.

[Thos003]

Title & Description really get read?<sarcasm></sarcasm>

I appreciate the feedback. Very insightful. And it is reassuring to know that titles do help CTR.

So I did a little more digging. This is actually a branded term, and it appears that the maps listing is currently in the 2nd position. Which leads to the next potential discovery, ...Does google webmaster tools consider a map listing a rank 1-10? Further investigation of my keywords suggests "Yes". So the map listing is getting a higher CTR than the first position.