Would you instinctively mistrust a company that has the top 5 or more search listings?

[AMSVansSEOTeam]

I have seen a few "lucky"(?) companies dominate spots 1-5 of search results. When I see that, I generally go to #6, 7, or even 10 before clicking. My gut reaction is that the company with 1-5 has manipulated content just to pull me in - much like the guys on the streets of NYC or Vegas shoving handbills at you.

Is there any evidence/research/poll about the consumer/user reaction when this occurs?

[littlesthobo]

One of mine does that for a particular search term...I haven't manipulated anything just followed the best practises of SEO across each piece of content.  If I had done any sort of dodgy manipulation, I would have been picked up by panda and penguin.

I hope they are not mistrusted because of it. If it were me experiencing it, I'd definitely remember them and probably look.

Let's face it, all SEO is manipulation of search results!  Anybody who follows the best practises is hoping that their competitor is not and will therefore rank below them.

[TomRayner]

As an SEO professional? Yes, absolutely.

As a general searcher or consumer? Well, it's been a long time, but I think you could make a case in saying the opposite is true. "These guys have the top 5 results, they must be legit".

Might be a CS case on this, will see what I can find.

[littlesthobo]

I hope you're right Tom!  I'd hate to have to go and start de-optimising

[EGOL]

I tend to have serious trust issues in general.

However, I don't normally suspect any problems with sites that the top of the SERPs.

I might have trust issues in the SERPs if I was looking for something like  "cheap airline tickets" or "escort services" but I am not looking for either of those.

[TomRayner]

Oh erm..me neither

cough