Dependence on External Search Engines for Customer Acquisition
First written in FY2023. 1 of 3 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2026.
Rebase moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2026, the same year as the typical company in this theme.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 10 of 27 companies on the "Worse" side.
10 other companies' latest entry also says "Worsened".
- FY2026WorsenedAnnual report
「If changes in the logic used to display search results by search-engine operators and the spread of generative-AI search functions, such as AI-generated overviews, increase users' tendency to obtain information directly on search-results pages, customer acquisition through search engines may decline structurally, affecting our business and results.」
Adds the possibility of a structural decline in customer acquisition due to generative-AI search, in addition to traditional search-algorithm risks. - FY2025RestatedAnnual report
「We are working to respond technically to the latest search logic used by external search engines, strengthen relationships with existing customers and expand usage independently of other platforms by increasing awareness.」
Recognizes dependence on external search engines and identifies technical responses, stronger customer relationships and greater awareness as countermeasures. - FY2023First statedAnnual report
「External search engines account for a substantial proportion of our customer-acquisition channels. If customer acquisition through search engines declines because search-engine operators change the logic used to display search results, our business and results may be affected.」
While pursuing customer acquisition through SEO and similar measures, identifies a decline in acquisition caused by changes to search algorithms as a risk.