It looks like Google has updated backlinks again in the last few days. They seem to running on a pretty tight schedule as far as backlink updates go. At least in the search engine. Google Webmaster Tools (GWT) also shows a backlink update, but this one was a lot longer in the making. So far there’s been no sign of an export of visible Toolbar PR, but it’s not like those are ever good these days.
To me it appears Google has increased their strategy of getting users to log into the “internet” and stay logged in. OpenID and OpenSocial as well as Google Friend Connect are all steps in this direction. I’m okay with idea, too, as long as the “anoymous” internet doesn’t disappear completely.
Continue reading “Google 2009 – Keeping Us Logged Into The Internet” »
Google has been running the SearchWiki experiment for a few weeks now, and I haven’t been using it. There’s something about the idea of voting SERPs up and down that is quite sitting right with me. I also don’t see the purpose of commenting on SERPs.
I’m sure the reaction from your average web surfer is vastly different, but for me the idea behind this feature is a bit counter-intuitive. I understand why Google would want to incorporate common features like this, but this particular implementation is rife for abuse.
Google has already suggested they may use SearchWiki data to influence SERPs. If they do, you can expect manipulation quickly. It would be nothing for companies to set up “boiler rooms” of “raters” who go and push up their SERPs.
If Google uses it for statistical modeling, fine. Or if they use “massive demotions” to see if a website is crap for a further review, fine. But it just seems like one more place on the internet for people to leave unsolicited and unverified information about a websites.
It’s another one of those products where if people had to pay extra for the feature, they wouldn’t. If Google adds too many of these features to their listings, they’ll end up losing that simple sparse look and feel people are used to.
Whenever Google updates their rankings, it seems inevitable that some websites will drop in rankings. To the afflicted webmaster, the news couldn’t be more devastating. These drops in Google are becoming much more commonplace, especially for low PageRank websites. Let’s take a look at what could be causing such drops, and how they can be fixed.
The problem can be caused by an error on your part. There’s no reason to adopt the mindset that you couldn’t have made a mistake. We’re all humans, and it can happen to any of us at any time. At the same time, don’t naturally assume your drop in Google rankings is something you did. It might be a glitch. Google is very good at what they do, but not infallible. They can make a mistake also.
Continue reading “Google Rankings Drop – What To Do Next?” »
When you read about web directories online, you’re bound to run into a ton of opinions on the subject, most of them worthless. It’s not surprising, I guess, most people who talk about SEO online don’t rank for a single keyword of merit, let alone understand even the smallest detail about the business they profess to be in. In particular, maligning web directories seems to be a key talking point that gets its’ share of attentions. Frankly, I think the criticism is unfair. Web directories are just websites. They’re neither good nor bad, and if you use directory submissions as a helpful SEO tool, then good for you.
Continue reading “A Lot Of Inaccurate Talk Surrounds Web Directories” »
PageRank updated this weekend, according to multiple sources. Frankly, I won’t even bother confirming. All told I have 51 websites that make money. They range from small websites that earn only a few hundred dollars a year, to several large websites that make much, much more. When I add up all the revenues, I’m making enough to pay my business expenses and draw a paycheck.
Continue reading “PageRank Update Still Exciting To Some” »
Nofollow was a stupid idea from the beginning, and I’m sure most webmasters would agree with that. It was intended to put a bandage on a gaping wound. Nofollow was invented in order to tell search engines “this link was probably spammed so don’t trust it.” It was meant to wipe out comment and forum spam. It hasn’t accomplished that task at all, and now he Nofollow tag has basically screwed up the flow of PageRank on the entire internet.
On-page optimization is an extremely productive past time. Although it’s rarely talked about in the kind of awed tones reserves for it’s cousing, off-page optimization, people in the know are doing it constantly, and to great effect. Common SEO wisdom tends to ignore on-page optimization, or deal with in a perfunctory manner, but let’s face facts: on-page optimization is one of the easiest ways to make a web page relevant to a search term, and it’s too often neglected in favor of the politically correct link building that people tend to spend most of their time on.
Google is innovating again. The company is adding some new features to its’ Adsense program, that might provide a boost for publisher earnings.
# Frequency capping, which prevents users from repeatedly seeing the same ads on your pages.
# Improved attribution, to help advertisers identify the best performing sites in the network based on post-impression activity.
# Improved ads quality, as we’re able to improve ad performance within the Google content network.
For sure the frequency capping will provide a boost. People who don’t click on an ad aren’t more likely to click it because of repetition. Trying a new ad with a fresh approach is always an excellent option.
As to the “improved attrition”, I guess that’s in the eye of the beholder. But basing website compensation on performance never seems like a bad idea to me.
As to improvements in quality, I assume this means that poorly performing ads will be dumped altogether in lieu of ads that perform better.
All in all, these new changes should help push more profits to our websites.
After seeing how much attention Cuil.com got for the launch of their basically shitty search engine, you realize just how much interest there would be in an alternative. I’m not sure what the numbers would translate into, but the target audience would be huge. People have been dealing with Google for years, and not all of them have had pleasant experiences, so they’re certainly ready to jump on the band wagon of anyone who comes along.
But frankly, Google’s success is for such a simple reason that people sometimes miss it. Google is so successful because their search engine generally finds the “right” results. Plus they do it often enough that people have become totally used to the system. Further, Google has tied all of us into so many sophisticated programs that their volume of traffic is just enormous. Could someone beat them? Theoretically, but they’ll have their work cut out for them. Besides, if Google realizes another company is making progress they’ll probably buy them out quickly.
Really, anyone who plans on beating Google has to do it by providing better results. And that’s going to be tough to do, especially when you consider that Google almost always:
- Provides very fresh results
- Does have most of the web indexed
- Provides generally relevant SERPs
The real key to their success is that they do this billions of times a month and rarely “choke” on a single search. They’re the undisputed leaders in scale and sophistication and any start-up is a long way away from catching up.