Is Google applying some customized search results, even when Private Browsing?

[danatanseo]

I am including a screenshot of a very interesting search result I received while InPrivate Browsing in Google using IE9.  I was spot-checking some keywords while private browsing and the first one I searched was "presonus studiolive." Then, I searched a completely unrelated term "communion supplies." I am attaching a screenshot of the search results page I then received from Google.

Interesting, no?

I can't even begin to wrap my head around the implications of a search results page that mixes results from two completel unrelated terms.

Thoughts?

7QNxPHM.jpg

[TakeshiYoung]

Google will still personalize your results based on geography, browser history, and other factors, even if you are browsing in private mode and signed out of your Google account.

[danatanseo]

Yes, I was aware of the geography "personalization"  I just hadn't ever seen a mashed up search result based on my browser history before. I know language is definitely a factor.

What is the value to the end-user in seeing a search results page mixing two unrelated terms? [That's a purely rhetorical question]

Thoughts?

I think this is another indication that we as SEOs [and our clients] can't get bogged down by the rankings of specific keywords. That measurement of SEO success can no longer be tied to the performance of a handful of specific ["vanity"] keywords.

[TakeshiYoung]

Well, if you look at it from Google's perspective, their goal is to present the most relevant results for the user. If Google only returns results on a query by query basis, they have only a limited set of data (your location + the words you typed in) to figure out what would be most relevant to you. But if they look at your search history, they might be able to better determine the intent of your search.

In this case, it looks like Goolge saw that you searched for "presonus studiolive", then on your next search for "communion supplies" it returned a result for a merchant that sells both communion supplies and presonus products, thinking it might be more relevant to you.

[EGOL]

I can sometimes search for something like "georgia" and then search for "guitars" and the first SERP will include a couple music stores in Georgia.

And, if I look at the URL in the address window I can see that both "georgia" and "guitars" are present.  Google sometimes remembers prior queries and uses them to skew your next search.