Very few of the unique queries that lead to clicks on the site mention the site or brand by name; almost all traffic comes from generic queries. Google's site quality score patent (US9031929B1) describes a site score based on the ratio of queries referring to the site to queries that lead to clicks on it. Google has not confirmed use, so this is a proxy for a patented method, not a confirmed signal.
Why does branded search demand is low relative to non-branded visibility (site quality score patent) matter for AI search?
Google's site quality score patent (US9031929B1) describes a site score based on the ratio of queries referring to the site to queries that lead to clicks on it. Google has not confirmed use, so this is a proxy for a patented method, not a confirmed signal.
How do you fix it?
Build reasons to seek the brand out by name: distinctive tools, research and named frameworks, consistent brand naming across pages, and presence where the audience already looks.
How do you find it on your site?
- Export 16 months of queries with clicks from the Search Console Performance report.
- Classify queries as branded if they contain the brand, domain or common misspellings.
- Compute branded unique queries divided by all unique queries with clicks, and the same ratio by month.
- Flag the site if the ratio is very low or falling while non-branded clicks rise.
Which ranking and citation factors does it touch?
Written for the Site quality score patent page (evidence: Patent only). Google has not documented this system in a way a site can test directly, so this check measures a proxy for it, not the system itself.
What is the impact?
Indirect. Estimate only: no public evidence quantifies the effect on rankings.
What is the evidence?
US9031929B1 (Site quality score) and US9767157B2 (Predicting site quality), both assigned to Google with Navneet Panda as an inventor.
Sources
Frequently asked questions about branded search demand is low relative to non-branded visibility (site quality score patent)
What does "Branded search demand is low relative to non-branded visibility (site quality score patent)" mean?
Very few of the unique queries that lead to clicks on the site mention the site or brand by name; almost all traffic comes from generic queries.
How do you fix branded search demand is low relative to non-branded visibility (site quality score patent)?
Build reasons to seek the brand out by name: distinctive tools, research and named frameworks, consistent brand naming across pages, and presence where the audience already looks.