Search Engine Optimisation Web Log (BLOG)
Editor: Matt Paines

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Government spends millions on SEO

New figures have shown that almost £6 million was spent on search engine optimisation by four government departments over the past two years.

The BBC has reported that the Department of Health was the biggest spender, running up a bill of £4.4m in paid search fees.

The Department said the money was spent supporting campaigns on smoking and the flu pandemic, whilst the Department for Communities and Local Government spent over £750,000 promoting campaign websites including those for Home Information Packs, Eco Towns and Energy Performance Certificates.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy and Climate Change spent more than £309,000 last year and the Department of the environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) spent almost £500,000.

The government has since announced a review of existing marketing projects and a freeze on new expenditure.

Conservative MP Damian Hinds, who uncovered the figures in a series of Parliamentary questions, told the BBC that there are times and subjects when getting the information out there is an absolute imperative.

But in general he didn't see why government departments should spend large sums improving their showing on search engines, and the search engines themselves should ensure official information is easy to find.

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