Without being logged into any of the websites visited, we decided to test what websites would alter their front page content depending on a search term.  The terms we used were “mens tungsten rings”, “maytag washer”, and “blu-ray player”.

We made sure to leave the site after the search was made.  We did not close the browser.

Only two of the fifteen sites visited dynamically changed their homepage content based on our searches.

Below are the altered web pages.  Both pages responded to searches for the term “mens tungsten rings”.

Amazon Homepage

Amazon included content for the searched term above the fold right below their primary offer. The content included three products and the verbiage “Customers with Similar Searches Purchased”.

EBay Homepage

Ebay also featured dynamic content on the left hand side above the fold. The content included three product examples, the search term “mens tungsten rings”, and the title “Cool Stuff for You”.

I was surprised more retailers didn’t offer personalization of content on their homepage. I know a few offer dynamic content based on if the consumer is logged in or based on past purchases. Expect to see more dynamic content in the future.