The Online Marketing Guy

I was sent this link earlier today:

NYT article on Google

It’s a bit of a long read, but well worth it. It offers some insight into a lot of areas that are off limits to the general public. The paper was recently allowed to spend a day with the quality team - the group that Matt Cutts is a part of - to attend meetings, watch them work and generally get the feel for a “day in the life of’, if you will.

The really interest in this article, however, are the small insights and things we may be able to infer about Google’s algorithm.

Take Google Trends, for example. It’s basically new to most of us, yet it’s thinking has been used to help sort SERPs for a while now.

There’s more, and that’s why the article is worth reading. Enjoy!

Tags: Google // Add Comment »

If I remember correctly, Google does it’s best to keep results pages out of the SERPs. This is why we don’t see loads of links to other SERPs pages in the search results.

They’ve segregated the news items to their own space slightly above the search results, and ads go where ads go.

With the recent launch of Google trends, one might think that since it’s a Google item, it may be precluded form entering into the overall pool and thus wouldn’t show up in the SERPs. So, far, that’s not the case. Here’s an example passed to me by a friend this morning.

Not sure if what we’re seeing is the normal way things will be, or just an anomaly as the algorithm is told what to do. Regardless, Google items are showing the Google search results.

While this is not a major problem, some may feel it’s credibility killer. For the moment, at least, there don’t seem to be any ads showing alongside Google’s results, but that’s most likely a result of the topic being new and fleeting, so no one has created ads to chase it. If Google were actively disabling ads on pages where their own items showed in search results, well, that could be a major issue for advertisers.

Tags: Google, SERP Anomalies // Add Comment »

WOW! The first day it’s really felt like spring around here.

I’m on the deck, dogs wandering around panting, enjoying the building mid-day heat. I was going through some missed e-mails form earlier this week and figured I’d offer a bit of a news round up for folks, so here goes.

Here’s a great little item I’ve been enjoying lately. The Hawthorne Videoactive segment. It runs daily to keep you up to date on all things online marketing, Interactive and such. This yesterday’s stories included the following items:

Other stories covered on their site included:

Visit them here - it’s worth it

A book update.

Some of you who’ve been reading this site for a bit may recall I’m writing a book. Well, it’s coming along. In fact, the first manuscript draft is due next week to the publisher. This doesn’t mean it’ll be out soon, it simply means we’ve got to have our stuff into them to begin the editing process. It’s still slotted for a fall release.

Good Music

If you like 80’s music (which I do), here’s a tip for a great station heard through iTunes.

Go to the International section
Scroll down a bit
Look for the station labeled Hot Mix Radio 80 - 100% années 80 - Hot Mix Radio 80’s - Live from Paris France - http://www.hotmixradio.fr

It’s one of the best 80’s stations I’ve found online so far - very good mix an decent depth, too, so you’re not hearing the same songs every hour.

Well, I’m going to leave this post at that. I’m off to get something cold from the fridge and get started on many more hours of content creation for the book.

Tags: Blog Books, Book Deal, Industry News, Hawthorne Videoactive Report, Interactive News // Add Comment »

Man, this burns me.

A guy who apparently is someone in the world of search - there are too many “someone’s” to keep track of - writes this article and gets it on MSNBC via Entrepreneur.com.

OK, so MSNBC gets a pass, because they’re just syndicating content as they do.

Even Entrepreneur.com can have a pass, because really, should they know about SEO and articles?

But the author - claimed to be someone - should certainly know better - or at least have his facts straight.

Here’s the article over at MSNBC.

Now, let’s discuss some of it’s main points:

LSI: latent semantic indexing - at least he gets it right by saying its been around a while. Not so sure it’s a big deal to point out that most folks don’t understand this. After all, most webmasters today are savvy enough to include relevant content - so you’re selling cars, maybe you have a page on trailer hitches too…

This isn’t that big a deal and most people naturally end up addressing this one anyway. It’s a bit like explaining to people what the egress is. They’ll figure out its the exit on their own.

Google contains more than 100 algorithms that make it the world’s most popular search engine. - I call BS - maybe 100 variables in the algorithm, but 100 individual algorithms? I’m not buying it personally - and even if there were, who cares? Cover the basics, build the content and users/links shall follow. It takes work and time. Bringing up “100 algorithms” is simply a way to “look” like you know what you’re saying - it’s a parlor trick to include useless info that doesn’t matter.

“Context” is the new buzzword for SEO in 2007. - LOL, the concept of “context” has been around since day one in the world or search optimization. It goes hand in hand with relevancy, which, as even the greenest SEO knows, is critical to making it in Google’s world. Nice to see the author catching up with what’s “new” in 2007…

He goes on to suggest a method of keyword research, using Google’s Site Related Keywords tab in Google Adwords, that I’d say is a bit off the mark.

While certainly it’ll give you keyword suggestions related to your content, this work should have been done before the content was even built, using keywords you know are actually searched on - massive hole in the info here Jon. Sorry, but that’s borderline misleading to those new to the space.

Finally, the whole point of his article is this: articles help SEO. Umm, I’ll have to disagree to a degree. I’ll concede that as an author, distributing articles might end up netting you some inbound links from decent sites, but in actual practice, most sites using article services are new and trying to skip a step to rank well. They aren’t interested in creating unique content, hence their use of articles - articles that many other sites will also use. So, in the end, those new sites do nothing other than throw a pointless link your way.

Now, if you’re a publisher - you should not use articles as a way to boost search rankings. In fact, they simply won’t help in the long run. If you and one other person are using it, one of you will be dropped from the index for having duplicate content. So, you have to ask yourself this:

Do I really believe, across the whole of the internet, I’m the first person anywhere to put this content live? Wake up - you weren’t.

There are no shortcuts to long-term success. Build unique content or die, I say.

Tags: Learn SEO, LSI, Latent Symantic Indexing // Add Comment »

Beyond just the SEMPO research mention, this vid has some interesting info. The presenter, while attractive, is maybe trying a bit too hard for some ‘funnies”, but hey, she’s still delivering the goods.

Tags: SEMPO, Video on Net, Hawthorne Videoactive Report, Interactive News // Add Comment »

Well, I’m into it now big time.

The contract have been signed, sent back and the writing has begun.

…now to find 50,000 words and about 100 image son the topic…hmmm - seems I have some work to do.

In truth, since I’m co-authoring this puppy, the work-load gets split. Still, it’s a lot to due before the June 1st first draft deadline. Looks like we’re still shooting for a Fall 2007 launch of this gift to the literary world.

WOW! 50,000 words. Seems like a lot, doesn’t it? In truth, I’m more concerned about finding 100 related topic images to go along with all this content. Well, I suppose that’s where SnagIt comes in. And since I run a couple of blogs/sites myself, it’s easy enough to find “locations to shoot” as it were.

Working title is still Blogonomics, but it’s hardly written in stone at this point.

Tags: Uncategorized, Blog Books // Add Comment »

OK, so the WSJ is saying that Doubleclick might be on the block for 2 billion. No biggie, right?

Well, who do we all know with pockets deep enough to handle that purchase and still have change for parking? Microsoft.

Makes sense, sort of.

If Microsoft buys Doubleclick, they’ll be one of, if not THE, largest providers of ad serving services in the world - to say nothing of network opportunities. You’d htink this might make Google quiver a bit - right?

Nope - see, it appears they are planing (unofficially) to make a carbon copy of the Doubleclick system for themselves. No details have resolved around all this, but the possibilities are interesting.

OK, so back to the point. We have this MS + DC beast lurking about, massive in size and it’s about to do…what , exactly?

Serve ads? Cool - but where? Doesn’t matter, as something that size will create it’s own gravity.

But, will it slow G down? Likely not. The critical problem that Microsoft tends to have is that it does big business very well and it does some entry level stuff rather well, but really does nothing to focus on the bulk of the space - in the middle. So, companies stuck in the “mid-size” category find solace with Google’s offerings. Easy to use, robust, low-to-no cost - they’ve built their image on this stuff.

The other rather significant missing item in the puzzle for MS is market share. Google has it, MS wants it. Buying Doubleclick isn’t goign to make Microsoft any better at search, nor will it increase their market share in search.

It could have a positive impact on revenue, but if ever there was one company in history that wasn’t at a loss for funding, it’s Microsoft.

The whole thing is still an interesting idea…but I like the one where MS buys Yahoo better…

Tags: Google, Industry News, Doubleclick, Microsoft // Add Comment »

I’ve got my own list of Adsense tips in other pages here, but today I came across a link to a kick-a$$ Adsense resource, so I’m sharing it.

Many points are NOT startling, but even those already making money might benefit by way of review. For those new to the game, between this info and the Google Heatmap, it’s a powerful combo to get you set up correctly.

After that, it comes down to traffic - which is all up to you and your marketing abilities.

Tags: Google, Resources, Adsense // Add Comment »

I can’t believe this is taking up space on a server somewhere.

http://searchwithkevin.prodege.com/

Someone seriously needs to be drug into the street and shot - K-Fed, too, but the creator of this thing, at the very least.

If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to throw myself in front of a train now, because the world of search has officially hit a wall…

On a more serious note - great marketing ploy - they just captured every 12 year old girl who’s looking to search for something online.

I wonder if their tagline is:

“Search: Without The Talent”

Tags: Meta Search Engines // Add Comment »

Pulse 360 Offers Customized Ad Networks for Publishers to Expand Inventory and Brand Exposure

Pulse 360 Inc., the sponsored links innovator, today introduced Pulse 360 Publisher’s Vertical Network(TM) (PVN), a new service designed to help publishers deal with the growing challenge of competing with monolithic advertising networks for a greater share of inventory.

“Inventory equals opportunity. Today, ad networks like Google’s AdSense can represent the largest amount of inventory in any given vertical segment, not the generally recognized large publisher,” said Lance D. Podell, chief executive officer of Seevast, Pulse 360’s parent company. “Leading publishers must realize that they are at a competitive disadvantage because ad networks are controlling significant amounts of inventory in their core vertical, taking a greater share of advertising dollars.”

The PVN allows a publisher to aggregate thousands of smaller sites within its own branded ad network and represent this inventory as well as syndicate content and other revenue-boosting tools. As a result, publishers get immediate access to more inventory to sell to advertisers, drive traffic and generate more revenue.

“Pulse 360 PVN gives publishers the ability to take an aggressive stance against Google and other ad networks,” Podell said. “We’ve dedicated significant resources to develop a new way for publishers to effectively compete and, in the process, become the category leader in their vertical market by creating and controlling their own ad network.”

Benefits for Pulse 360 PVN Members
Sites that join a branded PVN realize such benefits as:

— Increased monetization opportunities through branded display
advertising sold by the category leader and Pulse 360’s highly relevant
content-targeted sponsored links;
— Access to syndicated content and tools to enhance current site
offerings;
— Direct SEO benefits from cross linking with leading sites and others in
the PVN; and,
— Opportunity to align with a leading brand in the same or related market
segment

Pulse 360 PVN’s are built and maintained on Pulse 360’s proven publisher management and ad-serving platforms which served more than 14 billion advertising impressions in the last 30 days.

To learn more about how Pulse 360 can help you to create your own PVN or be part of a specific PVN, please contact the business development team at 1-866-94-PULSE or bizdev@pulse360.com.

Tags: Vertical Search // Add Comment »