Search Engine Trends
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Aaron has released the brand-new SEO Toolbar.It's free, packed with features, and highly addictive. [Link] dfggfgfgfgfg [Link] This blog is gathering dust, eh.For those interested, I'm working for SEOBook.com. Here's some stuff I've been publishing lately:Holiday SEO - strategies for the holiday season.Charity SEO - a non-profts guide to search marketing.Baking SEO Into The Company Workflow & Culture - a look at the trial and tribulations of inhouse SEO.SEO Sales Process: Overcoming Common SEO Objections - how to get [Link] I got sent a copy of "Website Optimization Secrets", a book by Andrew King.My two cents:I do wonder about books on SEO. They're often dated the minute they are published, and there is a wealth of information about SEO available online. So why bother publishing a book?Pros: If it's precise, technical detail you're after, you'll enjoy this book. Ajax Optimization? Covered. Optimizing CSS? Covered. [Link] For those who might be interested, I'm currently working for SEOBook.com, so this blog will remain dormant for the forseable future. A few of my recent posts:Link Building - The Future Of RelationshipsIs Your Search Result Sexy? How To Craft Kick Ass Title Tags & HeadlinesTested Advertising Strategies Respun For SEOBrand Building Tips On A BudgetPredictably Irrational Web Marketing StrategiesThe [Link] I've received a review copy of Aaron's new e-book, entitled "50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies". You can pick up a copy from Wordtracker for $39.00Aaron needs little introduction. His SEOBook.com site is one of the most authoriative SEO resources on the net. If you're not reading his blog already, you should.In his new e-book, Aaron shares a lot of clever keyword ideas, observations and insider [Link] I often receive emails telling me about a new search engine. Unfortunately, most don't make any improvement on the established options.This one is actually useful.It's called NewsFlashr. It's a meta news engine - with a sense of humour. [Link] Many web publishers deal with content theft. It can be frustrating tohave your work scraped and republished - and worse - have that content plstered with ads and outranking you!So how does Google deal with the problem?Interesting article:"When encountering such duplicate content on different sites, we look at various signals to determine which site is the original one, which usually works very [Link] A warm welcome to new advertiser Submit2Please.com. Please support them, if you can.They offer a full-service submission and link building service, which includes directories, social bookmarking, press release distribution service, and more. Submit2Please have been established since 1999. [Link] Heh. [Link] A few of these services have been popping up of late. The business model described here. These services aim to provide high end advice that wouldn't be possible under a free publication model.I've been handed the keys to two such offerings, SEOBook and MarketMotive.Knowing the guys behind these sites, I was expecting a high standard of advice. I'm pleased to say, that's exactly what's on offer. I [Link] I was asked to contribute to this project. There's some great tips in here.Top devious linking strategy award goes to:"In many cases it's hard to build links to commercial pages where you are selling something, so some people create an informational page build links and then 301 it to commercial page later on. Why not avoid the middle step, instead of 301-ing the page later on put the commercial [Link] I missed this one a month or so back. Just in case you did too, here's a great report on the effect of PR of the SERPS by HTML4SEO. [Link] I've been invited by Google to test drive the Business Edition of their Custom Search Engine.I had a chat with Nitin Mangtani, Lead Product Manager for Enterprise Search at Google, who talked my through the service and gave me an account to test drive. For those who haven't heard of Google Custom Search, check this out.I've reviewed the Google's Business Custom Search on the Rubberstamped [Link] Wiep.net has released a comprehensive q&a session on the relative value of linking.He's got "17 well respected" internet gurus on linking…..oh, and me. I think I'm there to keep up the numbers.Anyway, there's some great commentary in there, and if you're wondering about how to value links, this is the study for you."The idea behind this research was to determine which factors professionals [Link] That would be rather big news.Here's the rumour:"Recent news that Sprint is not going to work with Clearwire to build out a WiMAX network only added to the rumors I have been hearing about Google acquiring Sprint Nextel. On the surface it seems like this would be a bad move for Google but in reality the world’s leading search engine has become so much more than just a website to go to when you [Link] Thanks to Lola Directory for their ongoing support. Lola is a directory that holds the websites under specific keywords, and not just in categories.Also to WebCEO, who produce a SEO software package including tools such as search engine submission, link popularity analyzer, partner finder, and more.Support them if you can… [Link] Debra has a good post on directories, reminding us that there are many quality directories out there that do stick to Google's guidelines, and are a sound part of any link building strategy."Does paying to be listed somehow negate their purpose and objectivity? I don’t think so. And apparently neither does Google representative Matt Cutts: I’ll try to give a few rules of thumb to think about [Link] But is it a Google killer?Loren has a good over-view of the changes. In summary, they've made it easier for users to form search queries (with Search Assist), you can use media, like video, within the search results, and shortcuts integration."The most important change, besides the launch of Search Assist, is the continued integration of the social media experience into Yahoo Search, something [Link] Thanks to Web CEO, our new site sponsor. Web CEO produce a software suite for web site promotion.Thanks also to our ongoing sponsors, AllBuziness, Lola, and V7N. [Link] Oilman reports from Searchification, the near unpronounceable name (well, after a few beers) of Microsoft's demo for improvements to their search engine. Lots of interesting stuff in here, but this bit caught my eye:"Webmaster Tools account will support up to 150 sites and will use validation the same as Google or Yahoo. If you put in real contact info MSN will email you notifications of problems [Link] Gmail, Google's mail app that was first released on April 1, 2004, is in need of an update.And that update may be along soon.ZDnet is carrying rumors of an imminent upgrade, including Google Gears intergration and account activity: "View account activity Have you ever had the suspicion that someone has been logging into your email account? Or do you just want peace of mind knowing that you are [Link] I interviewed Aaron from SEOBook over at LinkJuicy.com.Aaron talks about paid links, Google, and shares a few ideas on how you can get more links."The other thing I think people will get better at is buying links indirectly, using a wide array of techniques including social interaction, industry gathering sponsorships, awards and contests, buying established sites, hiring people who already have [Link] I've always wondered how Danny manages to stay so cool and mild mannered under pressure and provocation. Sometimes you just know he wants to let rip.That's why I was pleased to read this:"Want to be like Robert — and Jason Calacanis — and keep equating SEO with spam? Then fuck off".Yay! [Link] Rich Skrenta has a few things to say about Mahalo, including this gem:"at first glance making this spruce goose fly looks like it would need David Copperfield plus a reduction in the universe's gravitational constant."Now, contrary to what many SEOs think, I'm of the opinion Mahalo will make money. I'm guessing it isn't going to be the huge thing Calacanis thinks it will be, but then again, I [Link] This 'aint safe for work. Very amusing.Especially love the drive by spammer getting their just deserts. [Link] Bob Massa has started blogging. Great! Bob is an insightful commentator on the search space, and is usually way, way ahead of the crowd. "It is not about reciprocal links or how many is too many. It is about making more money from less visitors with less expense and more profit". I've also added a post on my new site, Linkjuicy.com: Is It Possible To Get Listed In Dmoz These Days? "Unless [Link] I've put part two of my interview with Ralph up on LinkJuicy.com. I think he's going to make some people reflect on some long-held held beliefs about PR, in particular. Part one is here. Enjoy. [Link] The local search market is a hard nut to crack. It seems you need to go door to door to extract information. That's what Google are doing. Well, they're paying people to do so. They've launched a program called Google Local Business Referrals. "(Google) paying independent contractors, called business referral representatives, to visit local businesses to collect information about them — [Link] I've launched a new site called LinkJuicy.com. Needless to say, the site is about links Gabe Rivera from TechMeme makes an interesting comment (via TechCrunch): "One thing that bugs me: they’re now hosting original news content, yet they prohibit other aggregators from crawling it (per robots.txt restrictions and TOS). Of course Google News relies on the openness of other organizations with original news content."That could be considered reasonably evil. The interesting thing [Link] According to CNN, Google are "very interested" in participating in the upcoming radio spectrum auction. "Last month Google pledged $4.6 billion to the auction if the FCC would amend the rules applying to "C Block", a part of the spectrum set aside for smaller companies to use. Google wants to keep these airwaves open, so none of the winning bidders can lock them up with proprietary services." [Link] A study by the university of Texas estimates that the top 50 blogs earn approximately $500M per year in advertising revenues. The methodology used a sample from the Chitika advertising network. The top 15% of blogs (according to Technorati rankings) account for 90% of the revenue, meaning most blogs make next to nothing. The study concludes: "We speculate that Blogging is a generation ahead [Link] Interesting point regarding the acquisition of Proxicom, a web development agency, by iCrossing, one of the worlds biggest SEO firms: "So why would a company on such a hot streak decide to part with its money and invest in a web development company? The answer: The SEM market is shrinking". How many large scale companies can you think of that aren't already participating in SEM? [Link] Tired of Digg's attitude to all things SEO? Danny Sullivan has launched a social media site called Sphinn. Or Sp(h)in(n). "Sphinn is a social site for search and interactive marketers. It's designed to allow you to share and discover news stories, read and take part in discussions, discover events of interest and network with others" Looks good. Curiously, it comes hot on the heels [Link] We interrupt this search program…to conduct a little experiment The AdCenter blog has announced the addition of click quality reports. Microsoft reason that because all clicks do not necessarily carry the same value, adCenter now categorizes them as either standard quality or low quality. Standard-quality clicks are the clicks that ordinarily result in conversions, and that you are billed for. "Low-quality clicks are clicks that adCenter classifies as [Link] Susan Wojcicki at her old home in Menlo Park, Calif, the house where Google started. Susan took a job at Google less than a year after purchasing the home. Today, she's one of its top-ranked executives, overseeing the online advertising business as VP of product management. Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt: "She's historic, in terms of our company's founding. She's also one of those people who [Link] Feedburner, recently purchased by Google, have made their previously paid-for statistics service - Feedburner Pro, free. Features include access to the number of people who have viewed or clicked individual content items in your feed, and Reach, which estimates the daily number of subscribers who interacted with your feed content. They've also made MyBrand Free. "MyBrand lets you maintain [Link] Google search market share. Still rising. If trends hold, Googles share will pass the two thirds mark by August. In the same period, Yahoo, Microsoft, and Ask all lost share. MySpace annoy millions of users by banning Photobucket. Not a good move, really. A very good business analysis about why Google is the ultimate money making machine. "The Algorithm should find a new ad Agency". More odd [Link] Danny says it's time for old media to start linking out. I'm applauding - so loud you'll probably be able to hear it where you are sitting. Linking out is just plain good manners. Failing to link out is just plain rude. Zoom.info is a business search engine. They claim they have launched the "first market ready semantic search engine" I'm calling April 1st on this from Yahoo!. Since when is Gay [Link] Woman sues, of all places, the Internet Archive for spidering. Raises the whole opt-in, opt-out debate again. "Twitter is dumb, but will work, because we are nosy". It would also help if they got their technical problems sorted out. Kevin Ferderline starts his own search engine. Search for advertising with Kevin? Oh, for christ's sake… Social networks are dating sites. They just look different [Link] You thought you had spam problems. TechCrunch receives 15,000 spam comments. Per day. That no-follow plan really worked well, didn't it, Digerati? Store 100% - a nice analysis of the pros and cons of giving Google your data. Trendspotting Blog. Using Google data to map trends. The dirt on SEOs. Well, not much dirt yet, but I'm sure there will be. Interview with Matt Cutts about the next generation of search. The word "personalization" is mentioned often. Topix.net buys Topix.com for $1 Million. Worries about loss of Google traffic. Fight! [Link] What is Diggs true growth rate? All may not be what it seems. Such a great quote: "The problem with the global village is all the global village idiots". Reddit gets swamped. Ask denounce paid inclusion. No surprises how Yahoo will respond, if they respond at all. Are dating sites in decline? Interesting snapshot by PlentyOfFish. Are Google showing actual search numbers in Adwords now? Would be [Link] Wikipedia senior editor turns out to be a domestic house cat. Maybe. Here's how Google really views Meta Tag information. Useful to check if you're having problems getting your site crawled. Where has Google Trends data gone? No updates, of late. Search Engine Land introduce new column covering kitchen sinks. Sorry, that should read a new column entitled "Strictly Business". That [Link] Microsoft calls foul against Google over copyright. Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of this case, many feel it is a bit rich coming from Microsoft. Why personalized search will be great. SEOBlackhat makes some good points. Relevance is defined by the searcher, and - privacy issues aside - the more relevance, the better. Microsoft hands out too much money. Surely a first. Ex-Google Answers [Link] Google's Adam Lasnick reportedly doesn't like nofollow, although he clarifies further in the comments. He wishes it wasn't necessary. Which, of course, it isn't. The bury brigade at Digg. Danny Sullivan looks at the problem, and, of course, gets buried. The lesson in all this is that good editors matter. No amount of Web 2.0 hyperbole, ideological cuteness or VC funding will change that fact. [Link] Top stories search bloggers reported this week: Google Security Hole Allows Account Hijacking Yahoo using dirty tactics: switching default homepage Google testing new Adsense formats for some publishers Google offers real-time stock quotes fro free Google releases Google Earth v4 Top Ten gaining queries on Google SEO is easy, hard, worthless, essential 25 Tips To Optimize Your Blog Page [Link] You don't hear the word "free" much in the enterprise space. It's all license per seat, support contracts, etc. However, IBM (remember them?) and Yahoo have teamed up to provide free enterprise search software. You can download your own copy here. IBM have, of course, been a major player in the enterprise space for a very long time. This hook up with Yahoo makes a great deal of sense, for [Link] Finding it difficult to get clicks? Are your bid prices sky-high and you’re still not getting on the first page of results? Now the paid-click search marketing is maturing, much of the low hanging fruit has been gobbled up. Prices are rising and many keyword areas are now highly competitive. One way to increase your chances of getting clicks, without bidding over your budget, is to go wide in [Link] If you're interested, I post over at v7N SEO Blog on a daily basis. That's my paid gig at the moment. Posts at Searchengineblog.com are sporadic at the mo' while I try finding time - and fail "Welcome to Google Checkout — a new service that makes online shopping faster, more convenient and more secure" proclaims Googles' new payment system. But what else will Google checkout do? It will drive up the cost of Adwords, for one thing. Not necessarily for sellers using Google Checkout, because they will get a discount in the form of lower transaction costs, meaning, in theory, they [Link] If you have your own business, then you know that sometimes business can be slow. This isn't one of those times for me. Been a bit of a madhouse lately, so I haven't had the time to do a lot of the things I've wanted to do. Not complaining, mind. Apologies if you've come to read here and I haven't written anything. Topics posted over the past week at my v7n gig: here I thought this stuff was [Link] Tons of New Google Stuff: this is cool - Adwords estimates without having to sign in. This is even cooler - Google Trends. Interesting to see the seasonal changes in search demand. Google had a Press Day yesterday, here's the big overview from Danny Sullivan. SEO Certification: What is the point? Heated discussion at Threadwatch. Keyword Research Tool: Cool free keyword tool from Mr Aaron Wall [Link] MSN rolls out their PPC service, AdCenter, to all. Reactions are mixed. Influential SEO blogs - I have two of 'em listed in a middle-ish kind of way! I guess that means I'm moderately influential. Would someone please tell my wife, and cat, as neither listen to me. Beginners guide to sub domain spam-fest - Bob Massa makes interesting notes for SEO algo watchers. Google wants you to be healthy, [Link] It's nice to have a new PC! It's a pain shifting data and settings across. That's what I've spent most of the week doing, so I've been neglecting this blog. No one noticed? Thought not I have a saying I just made up: "all open apps will eventually turn into DMOZ" Ok, that's a bit rubbish, but it's happening to Digg. And Wikipedia. The lunatics invade, the system breaks, authoritarianism replaces democracy. Eventually, your founding mission statement becomes rather comic. Sad, but inevitable, unless the system adapts and grows stronger. [Link] Cool debate between Mekler and Calacanis: "Aggregating blogs…such a model requires at least one or two anchor blogs that will be attractive to advertisers". It's not so much the blog you have, it's the network you're part of. [Link] My inbox tells me that there's a bit of confusion out there surrounding me contributing to the v7n marketing blog. To clarify: Searchengineblog will continue, same as always. I am being paid to write at v7n. I am always open to paid writing gigs on search and marketing, although finding any more time might be a challenge. I have not sold my soul to the devil, any more so than anyone who works [Link] There's a PubCon happening in Boston. Shoemoney and Threadwatch provide running reports and insights. Anyone else covering it? Let me know and I'll link up. Snippet: Turns out that placing 13,000 characters in a 60 x 60 box is pushing it, unsurprisingly. [Link] My friend Bill Slawski will be writing for Search Engine Watch Blog on the topic of search engine patents and research. Bill is well qualified in this area as he a) blogs on search and b) has a legal background. He provides unique analysis in this area, and is a must read. Well done Bill! [Link] I have a new paid gig blogging for v7n. More of the same, only longer. Nicholas Carr laments that in one year of blogging, he's got a good audience, but has racked up a loss. While this blog makes a profit, it's not my main income stream - that comes from being down in the trenches, doing search marketing, day in, day out. Blogging is a labour of love, a means of networking, and a chance to [Link] A legend in the world of search - before blogs, before the search revolution, hell - before 1997, even. And still going strong. Well done, Danny Sullivan. Top cat in the search world, if ever there was. [Link] Batelle discovers the "art" of news/pr optimization. Not such a recent development, of course. Also known, somewhat less kindly, as spamming outside the box. [Link] Strange title, eh. Appears to be true: "Google Inc. bought software developed by a graduate student in Australia that is designed to improve the quality of Internet search results". Perhaps Google bought this algo in order to prevent their competitors getting their hands on it? The algo reportedly offers "instant answers to queries without the need to go to another website". Hmmm…..the [Link]
SEO Toolbar
Test Post
I'm Over At SEOBook
Website Optimization Secrets - Book Review
Blogging At SEOBook.com
Aaron Walls '50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies'
New Search Engine…That Is Actually Useful!
How Does Google Deal With Duplicate Content?
Submit 2 Please
Google Arrogance
Professional SEO Advice - By Subscription
Link Building Secrets Revealed
Does PageRank Affect The SERPS?
Rubberstamped Goes Meta
Link Study Released
Google Acquiring Sprint?
Thanks
Directories Keep On Keeping On
Yahoo Updates Search Service
Web CEO - New Sponsor
MSN Plan To Tell You When You're Spamming
Gmail: Upgrade Rumors
Interview With SEOBook's Aaron Wall
Danny Sullivan Lets Rip Over "SEO = Spam" Debate
Skrenta Roasts Mahalo
What If A Business Meeting Was Like Digg?
A Blog To Watch
Part Two: Advanced Linking With Fantomaster
Get Paid $10 To Collect Local Info
Linkjuicy.com - A Site About Links
The web was built on links, however issues surrounding the link have become complicated. Given the existence of search engines, and their link-based algorithms, the link is more than just a means to get from one place to another. Hypertext links are often loaded with semantic data, and the search engines [Link]
Google News: Why No Crawl?
Could Google build an ad-supported free mobile network?
Top 50 Blogs Generated $500M In 2006
Is The SEM Market Shrinking?
Tired Of Digg? Sp(h)inn It
Ipod Nano Phone
Ok, JP Morgan released a report today claiming Jobs and co plan to launch a cheaper version of the iPhone. This phone will be based on the Pod Nano. Why would Apple do this? According to the report, this would serve as a low-cost entry point, without compromising the marketing for the iPhone. "We believe that iPod Nano will [Link]
MSN AdCenter: New Click Quality Reports
The House Where Google Started
Feedburner Is Now Free
Google Market Share, MySpace Annoy People
Semantic Business Search Engine Launches, Google Pay Per Action…
Web 2.0 Deflating, Eric Schmidt Interview…
No Follow Hilarity, Anchor Links Now Showing In Webmaster Central….
Should have invited SEOs along, really…. Speaking of Techcrunch, they've just appointed a new CEO. The terms "CEO" and "blog" just sound strange together. Google Webmaster Central now reporting anchor text phrases. Nice. Ex-Microsoft employee, [Link]
Trendspotting Using Google, Topix, New SEO Tools
Is Google Over-Rated, Digg Growth Rate, And More
How Google Reads Meta Tags & More…
Microsoft Hands Out Too Much Money, Google Doesn't Know How To Spend Cash
No Follow, The Bury Brigade, SEOs Aren't Bad
Top Search Stories From The Blogsphere, Week Ending Janurary 13
Free Enterprise Search Software
The Long Tail Of PPC - PPC Strategy
FYI
[Link]
Driving Up The Cost Of Adwords
Friday Search Roundup
Friday Search Roundup
Friday Search Roundup
New PC
Given I'm blogging over here on a daily basis, I figured I wouldn't repeat myself on this blog. So, if you want to read my daily stuff, that's where it will be. This blog will contain other search stuff once [Link]
The DMOZ Effect
Anchor Blogs And Blog Networks
Searchengineblog Same As It Ever Was
Matt Confirms Handjob
Bill Also Gets New Gig
Blogging For v7n Blog
Danny Someone
Car Loans Cheaper Than Ever, Says Report
Google Buys Down Under Search Algo