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Articles (46):
Does Domain Age Matter When Ranking in Google?
August 25, 2011
Here is a question that continues to come up ever since search engine optimization started to become popular all those years ago. For many, the idea that domain age can give a site an edge, especially if its older than others seems quite rational and for a time search engines did show indirectly that many older sites did indeed rank higher (of course other factors could have been in play).
Caffeine Indexing, What is it?
August 16, 2011
If you are not in the SEO or SEM industry or if you have taken a bit of vacation this summer, you will sometimes find that it's hard to keep up with the many innovations that Google, Bing, Yahoo and others are offering to their users on the web.
The Google Plus Project Gaining Traction and Has Potential
July 21, 2011
The first impressions are in. The overwhelming consensus is that Google+, the new social network and Facebook competitor is gaining traction and has the potential to be relevant in social networking on the web. In fact, these last few weeks have seen many updates and innovations from Google which are for the most part being well received.
The New Google Plus One Button-Add it Now to Your WebPages
July 14, 2011
I have to admit, that viewing webpages today's means viewing a whole bunch of buttons everywhere. I see a button for Twitter, Facebook, Wordpress, Linkedin , etc. While I understand that many web developers are more than happy to add these button to help spread their content, many more take adding buttons with a grain of salt. So that now that Google +1 has created their own "Facebook Like" button, should web developers, SEO, and SEM professionals start adding it to their site? The answer is Yes!
Google Introduces its New Social Network - The Google+ Project
July 01, 2011
Google Announces its new social network after years of development and months of rumor. For many Google watchers, The Google+ Project is finally a reality. I recently wrote about Google's- +1 button a few months ago - a button similar to Facebook's Like button where one can recommend a piece of content or web page to others in their group.
Google Losing Market Share in Search Engine Wars
June 23, 2011
For those SEO and SEM Professionals, it's not time to panic- far from it, however it is time to take note of the up and comers in Search. Bing, Microsoft's search engine property which has been around for a couple of years in its latest incarnation has actually been winning over some long time Google users. Bing has been quite competitive when it comes to its implementation of its features, as well as branding and deal making. This has made it the biggest gainer in market share- compared to Google- who has lost quite a lot over the last year.
Top Level Domains To Shake Up The Web? Not Exactly
June 23, 2011
There's been a lot of press lately regarding ICANN's decision to allow the creation of just about any type of domain ending. Meaning that .com, .org, .edu and others which currently number about 25 could potentially reach millions in just a matter of a couple of years. So, what does this mean for the average web developer and business owner and more importantly, what does it mean for SEO/SEM professionals?
How Rotating Content Affects Search Engine Optimization
June 07, 2011
One of the key factors to creating a website that draws and engages visitors is not only to have it look aesthetically pleasing, but to ensure that it is dynamic. There are websites that we all visit, but would we continue to visit these sites if they never changed or if they changed every month instead of weekly?
Search vs. Social Media: Finding the Right Balance
May 25, 2011
I receive lots of questions regarding both search and social media and I am often asked by clients and friends, which strategy is the best for my business? Obviously, there should be a balance of search vs. social media marketing for anyone wishing to conduct a comprehensive web marketing campaign, but what this article is going to talk about is the general expectations of focusing on Search vs. Social media.
Does Page Load Time Matter for SEO?
May 16, 2011
Page load time is defined as the time it takes for a webpage to fully load in a browser showing all elements of a page. Does relative page load time matter for SEO? Here's a question that has come up on my radar a few times over the last few months. In fact, Matt Cutts of Google recently spoke about it in one of his many blog videos (link below). So, with so many people wondering does the speed to load a page affect SEO, what is the answer? In short, the answer is yes, page load time does matter.
What Should Be the Limit of Links on a Page for SEO Purposes?
May 13, 2011
Whether you are an SEO/SEM professional or an independent web developer, one of the essential aspects of optimizing your site is receive high quality one way backlinks from others. In the past, building links was much easier due to the fact that years ago Google rarely penalized a site that received links from link farms, reciprocal links (never penalized- but hold very little if any weight), three way links and paid links.
Tips to Help You Optimize Your Website for Mobile Users
May 09, 2011
Mobile Search is constantly on the rise. As more and more people purchase smart phones and as smartphones get more and more powerful, mobile search has become a very big focus for many companies. Whether you are a local business or service the nation/world, you should consider how mobile search can affect your business.
Do Shortened URL's Hurt or Help Your Rankings?
April 18, 2011
Shortened urls have been around for years. In fact, hundreds of thousands of people started using them once Twitter took off. There are many benefits of using shortened urls, however for many SEO/SEM professionals, there was always a thought in the back of our heads on whether or not it can hurt or help a campaign
Move Over "Like" Button, Google Announces the "+1" Button
April 11, 2011
Similar to the Facebook "Like" button that offers those with a Facebook account to vote socially and "like" something - whether a person, business or web page outside the walls of Facebook's closed eco-system, Google now is about to roll out a "Like" button of its own: the +1 (plus one) button.
The New Google Algorithm Farmer - What SEO/SEM Professionals Need to Know
March 10, 2011
It's official! While there has been talk of an upcoming algorithm change from Google for at least a couple of months, these past couple of weeks saw a definite change in the way that Google ranks those sites on the web vying for top placement in its listings.
Indispensable SEO Tools
February 28, 2011
One of the questions that I get asked at least every couple of months is what kind of basic tools do you use for SEO? The truth of the matter is that while I might use a specific tool to research keywords or a tool to watch traffic closely, I find that there are a few tools available, all of which are free and indispensable - and help me with my day to day projects.
Google Strikes Back Against Black Hat SEO
February 25, 2011
Many people in the SEO/SEM community are talking about the recent article in the New York Times titled: "The Dirty Little Secrets of Search".
Facebook Updates its Advertising Using Content from Users
February 14, 2011
When it comes to advertising, it's said that there is usually nothing better than the strategy of word of mouth. Hearing about a product or a service from a trusted friend or even an acquaintance is likely to help you drop your resistance to that item and open your wallet or pocketbook.
Ad Preview Tool Announced from Google
February 08, 2011
Google understands that what drives its business is advertising. For years they have worked diligently to do all they can so that businesses may get a return on their investment when they use their AdWords service. AdWords, as SEO/SEM professionals already know, focuses on keywords.
Google Moving Against Content Farms. What Does This Mean for SEO?
January 31, 2011
There's been quite some news recently regarding Google. First off, you've probably heard that CEO Eric Schmidt will be moving into the role of Executive Chairman while, co-founder Larry Paige will be CEO. But besides big news such as this, another news "shoe" dropped as well last week with Matt Cutts who is Google's Principle Engineer stating that Google will be actively making an effort to reduce spam from its rankings - specifically spam created by content farms. So what is spam created by content farms and how does this affect SEO and SEM professionals?
Grow Your Local Business with Google Boost
January 24, 2011
When it comes to advertising on the web, you'll be hard pressed to find a service better for the average web business than Google's PayPerClick AdWords. Google has revolutionized the way web users and web sites connect - making it not only relatively affordable for just about any business on the web to attract views (impressions), but also level the playing field against huge corporations in many ways.
Optimize Your Site, Optimize Your Location
January 10, 2011
You probably already noticed that Google is spending tremendous resources and real estate space on its results pages to show both traditional search results along with location based results using its product Google Maps. Google Maps has grown in leaps and bounds not only for those using mobile phones and tablets, but for those searching at home. If you are a SEO/SEM professional, it's critical you take note of how location is changing how the major search engines are delivering and ranking results.
Are You Optimizing for Bing?
December 16, 2010
While Google often gets the accolades and the spotlight, Microsoft's Bing has really become over the last couple of years a highly respectable and capable search engine. While many SEO and SEM professional focus enormous resources on Google, it may well be worth the effort to also focus on Bing as well. Here are some of the reasons why you should optimize for Bing and some tips on doing so
RockMelt- The New Social Browser
November 24, 2010
There has been a lot of buzz recently on the web regarding the release of a new browser. While there are usually several new browser releases each year, this one is by Marc Andreesen, who is well known for co-founding the wildly successful and first mainstream browser Netscape. With Marc Andreesen's name behind the latest browser, many are interested in knowing whether this idea is another game-changing piece of technology.
Google Announces Instant Previews
November 17, 2010
With Google experiencing plenty of competition on all fronts including competition from Bing, Yahoo and Facebook, Google is looking to innovate their search product offering giving users the very best experience possible. While almost all will agree competition is great, the speed at which Google is offering new products, rolling out new features and changing some of the core ways it searches the web can be headache-inducing for those in the SEO and SEM industry. The latest offer by Google is its Instant Previews.
The New Twitter Roll Out
November 09, 2010
For those of us that rely on social networking sites for marketing your websites, products, services and brand names Twitter can obviously be a boon. While not for everyone, Twitter has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and today is at the pinnacle of social networks on the web.
Thinking About Facebook Ads? Some Information to Know
October 29, 2010
While many are already using Google's pay per click product AdWords, Facebook.com also offers a way to reach out to current and potential fans in order to grow your brand and sell your products or services. Facebook has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and today shows real promise in helping businesses and organizations reach vast amounts of online users. Whether you are already using Facebook Ads or are interested in this powerful tool, here are some tips on how to maximize this endeavor.
Google Makes Major Update By Mixing Local Listings In With National Results
September 02, 2010
Google has made another update to its search engine results pages and this time it’s a big one. In fact, this could be the biggest update in several years that will have a direct impact on the SEO industry as well as businesses trying to rank well across the globe.
The Google MayDay Update
July 07, 2010
These last few months has been challenging for both search engine optimizers and search engine marketers. With the recent release of Google Caffeine and now an update called MayDay, those trying to rank high and grab traffic from Google have found these two recent events more than enough excitement for one year. However, this is the industry that we have chosen and for those looking to make inroads and continue to rank well with Google will need to understand what Google is requesting from us.
Is the New Facebook ‘Like Button’ Something SEO will Like?
May 05, 2010
Over the last year, search engine optimizers and web marketers have found that the search engine wars have definitely heated up and in many ways changed the landscape that we apply our craft to. And as many in the industry are now getting more comfortable with the new changes and challenges that Google, Bing and Yahoo have implemented in the last year, a new potential war is brewing, this time the war of the social networks.
Google’s Personal Search and its Possible Effects on SEO
December 23, 2009
With the announcement by Google earlier this month that it has added its new Personalized Search feature to all Google users - not only those that have and are logged into their Google account, search engine professionals all around the world began considering the possible effects on their businesses.
Microformats and SEO
November 11, 2009
If you have not yet heard of microformats, chances are that you will not only hear more about them, but also be using them in the very near future. Microformats, while not necessarily a transformation technology has a very good chance of being a staple for web developers and those that practice SEO.
Google and Bing: Recent Search Engine Innovations
September 29, 2009
With all the hoopla surrounding Microsoft’s Bing introduction over the last few months, Google has been recently flexing their muscles as well, letting the surfing community know that they are still relevant. Actually, everyone knows that Google is quite relevant, but you can surely bet, that they want to continue to be the top dog and continue to have the momentum of being the search engine brand that is most innovative.
What Does the Bing/Yahoo! Deal Mean for SEO?
August 11, 2009
While the reaction from many in the SEO community has varied, after a few days of the news being out and more and more information coming forward, most search engine optimizers are starting to see the dust settle and are beginning to realize what this partnership between these two search and advertising behemoths might look like. So, here are just some of the items that those in the SEO industries should consider.
Bing is Here!
June 17, 2009
So for us in the SEO and/or SEM industry, how does Bing stack up to their earlier releases and how will it affect the search environment now and in the near future, here are just some of the possibilities. While, it is obviously a new product and its implications won’t be known for some time, here is some insight into Bing and how it might ultimately affect our industry.
Is Twitter for SEO & SEM Companies?
May 13, 2009
If you are remotely interested in the web, you probably already hearing daily about a Web 2.0 site that has been experiencing exponential growth. Twitter- the micro-blogging site has taken the web by storm over the last couple of years and today it ranks third in its membership (right behind MySpace.com and Facebook.com). For those in the SEO and SEM industry, you are probably asking yourself how can Twitter benefit my business and clients. And while it is important to note that Twitter is a different beast than both search engines such as Google and social networking sites such as Facebook.com, there are tremendous opportunities available.
Is Google Promote an SEO Killer?
April 02, 2009
One such feature that Google has added which has received plenty of attention from the SEO and SEM community is Google Promote.
Promote Your Website with a Press Release
March 04, 2009
One of the most effective tools available to SEO's, web developers and businesses of all types and sizes are press releases. While in the past, press releases were usually a mainstay of blue chip corporations and large organizations, today no matter who you are or what you would like to promote, a press release not only can increase awareness of your product, service or website, but can ultimately help you rank higher in the search engine rankings.
The Semantic Web is Coming
January 05, 2009
Wow! It's amazing at how fast the World Wide Web and the ability for information to be exchanged and communicated between individuals, groups and the masses have evolved. It was only a little more than 15 years ago that the World Wide Web finally began to pick up steam and grab viewers and contributors.
SEO & Video: Technology that will Change the Way We Search
October 20, 2008
With video obviously becoming a huge force on the web, it is imperative that search engine optimizers and web developers know how the current and future process of video search works and how it will ultimately evolve in the near future.
Insight into the New Web Browser- Google Chrome
September 18, 2008
On September 2, 2008, Google released their beta version of their new open source web browser Chrome. Practically, everything Google releases is received with much fanfare and Chrome was no different. Many SEO's, programmers and web specialists immediately downloaded Chrome to see just what it offered, what its intentions are and how will it affect the surfing community at large. After a couple of weeks, some reviews are just starting to trickle in, here are just some of the things you should know about Chrome.
Leveraging Video for SEO Purposes
August 18, 2008
One service that many SEO's have been looking into recently (some for the last couple of years) has been web video. Web video is here to stay (obviously), but it also gives us optimizers a whole new stream to not only capitalize on, but leap ahead of the competition that does not take full advantage of this technology. For those that are fairly new to web video, here are some tips on leveraging video for SEO purposes.
A Gift From Google - Search Volume Numbers for AdWords Keyword Tool
July 21, 2008
SEO has always been seen as a cross between an art and science, but recently Google has been opening up more and more of its web data to the masses, helping SEO's across the globe base their campaigns on solid, quantitative data. For years, web developers, internet marketers and SEO's have been walking blind when trying to figure out the amount of searches for specific keywords on Google.
Optimizing for the Mobile Web
June 23, 2008
While cell phones and SMS texting have made it easy to communicate, the US and the world is on the verge of possibly seeing a huge jump in communication and information technology - the Mobile Web.
What's Important to Know About the Google "Dewey" Algorithm Update
May 19, 2008
Well, you probably already know about the new Google update. While the last several updates don't have a distinctive name, this past update which came roaring in during March and April wreaking havoc to all SEO's deserves a name like a great storm - this one named "Dewey" after a code word used in Matt Cutt's blog. Following is some of the information I have been able to collect on Dewey, hopefully giving SEO's information that can be useful for their clients and websites.
How Blogs Can Help Improve Inbound Links
March 31, 2008
There have been plenty of articles written regarding how blogging is an effective marketing and SEO strategy and while many articles touch upon the finer points of developing blogs for profit, few address how they can assist improving inbound links. In the following article, I’ll take a stab at giving some valuable information to my fellow SEM and SEO professionals working hard to maximize their gains in traffic and indexing. |
