Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: Object
As Google has grappled with newspapers firing rip-off accusations at them, one of the key responses has been from Google’s Marissa Mayer. A move to “living URLs” would drive them more traffic, she’s said, talking about it twice this past month. But such a system won’t work unless Google News fundamentally [...]
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Read more here:
Of Living URLs, Newspaper Rankings & California Fires
Tags: a-system-won ,been-from ,features: general ,firing-rip-off ,google ,google-news- ,has-grappled ,marissa ,past ,spzmu ,the-key ,top news ,with-newspapers ,work-unless
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: seo
Posted by Dr. Pete
Warning: This post contains tactics that may be considered black-hat. SEOmoz does not condone these practices. I have simply done something dumb to my own website to prevent you from doing something dumber to yours.
If you believe the rumors, we all now live in something called the real-time web. The once steady trickle of user-generated content became a torrent, and search engines face the difficult task of drinking from a fire hose without drowning. It only stands to reason, then, that fresh content is becoming more important, and anecdotal evidence seems to back that up. Every day, blog posts and Tweets seem to get indexed and ranked a bit faster.
Freshness seems important, but what signals does Google use to determine freshness? Beyond the original cache date, do the spiders pay attention to on-page signals, such as dates in body content or URLs? I thought it might be fun to try and find out.
1. Manipulating URLs (non-301)
My plan started out simple: manipulate a URL on my blog and rename it to use a date-based format (as some blogs do by default). So, for example, a URL that normally looked like this:
http://www.mysite.com/topic-goes-here
…became something like this…
http://www.mysite.com/2009-09-01-topic-goes-here
I chose a blog post that was recent enough to still be archived and spidered but not so recent or popular that it was likely to attract new inbound links. I chose 3 long-tail keyword phrases to track for that post, and then flipped the switch and changed the URL. In part 1 of this experiment, I did not 301 the old URL to the new one. By not 301’ing, I was hoping to nudge Google into updating the original cache date. The graph below shows what happened:
The rankings axis is inverted to show low rankings at the top, with 1 line for each keyword phrase. Here’s where things got weird. Even after spiders indexed the new URL, that URL showed up in rankings on 3 different days for the 3 phrases (indicated by the gray, dotted lines). Some rankings dropped before the new URL appeared, others after, until they eventually stabilized slightly lower than the original URLs. Oddly, the one keyword that hit #1 after the switch also managed to cache the 404-error (so, that ranking was completely useless).
2. New URLs, Take Two (301)
Of course, outright changing a URL without 301 redirecting it is a bit unusual, and would mean that I lost whatever inbound link juice I had flowing to that page (it wasn’t much, but it still can’t be ignored). So, not generally one to learn from my mistakes, I tried again, this time with a new blog post but with a 301 in place.
Not surprisingly, the spiders were a bit better behaved, with all 3 rankings reflecting the new URL on the same day. Somewhat surprisingly, though, some keywords lost ranking, some gained, and the overall average ranking change was roughly a wash. Not a promising sign for my URL-based freshness theory.
3. Mad Science Is Science, Too
So, what can we learn from my little experiment in freshness? I’m not entirely sure, but I’d like to offer a few takeaways to trick you into believing that reading this post was a good idea:
(1) Google Isn’t That Dumb
If you were considering changing all your URLs to trick Google into thinking that your posts are brand, spanking new, here’s some advice: don’t.
(2) Always, Always 301
Although I had my reasons for not using 301s in the first experiment, don’t ever rename an important URL without redirects in place. If nothing else, Graph (I) should be a lesson in what can happen if you do.
(3) Proceed With Caution
Even if you do rename your URLs for a perfectly good reason, and you put 301s in place, expect some short-term consequences. Rankings may fluctuate, and where you end up when you’re done might not be exactly where you started. Changing your URL structure is a big job – sometimes, it’s necessary, but don’t do it just to make a minor SEO tweak.
Do you like this post? Yes No
Here is the original post:
Does Google Like It When You’re Fresh?
Tags: a-bit-better ,a-bit-faster- ,called-the-real ,content-or-urls ,google ,original ,post ,rankings-at-the ,science ,seo ,time ,urls
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: marketing
Not sure what you should do with Twitter? Are you hearing that it’s the most important breakthrough since breathing but not sure how to take advantage of it? Well, you may need to stop listening to everyone and think a bit outside the box like Fox is doing to inject some new life into a re-run of the edgy TV show, Fringe. Of course, this type of show is probably a perfect place to run this kind of experiment. PC World writes about the TV and Twitter convergence.
Fox has come up with a new way to get viewers hooked into watching repeats of two episodes of the TV show Fringe. On Thursday at 9 p.m., the penultimate episode of Fringe will be accompanied by Twitter commentary from two of the show’s cast and producers.
During the episode, a scroll bar at the bottom of the screen will provide insight from cast members Josh Jackson and John Noble and producers Jeff Pinker and J.H. Wyman. Dubbed “tweet-peats,” the Twitter messages will also be available online and viewers can participate and ask questions.
I have been intrigued by Fringe promos on Fox in the past during sports broadcasts but have not made the move to give it a try. This might actually make me take a look though. While it may seem ‘gimmicky’ it falls in line with most things as they relate to Twitter and its applications. No one has had this kind of capability in the past so why not experiment? If no one has done this on network TV (if they have please let us know) then it will be hard to screw up!
In addition to the Fringe Twitter treatment Fox will run a similar format for a re-run of the show Glee immediately following the show. While I have no idea whether that show has a chance or is simply on lie support and looking for a boost from this Tweetment of the show it again falls into the category of “Why not?”.
Here’s how to play along
If you want to get involved in Fox’s “tweet-peats,” all you have to do is follow the show Fringe on Twitter (http://twitter.com/FRINGEonFOX) and Glee (http://twitter.com/GLEEonFOX). The question streams from users will be moderated, so not everybody’s tweets will be aired.
Since I am probably the only person on the planet to not DVR anything I may or may not be there because Thursday night is also the start of the college football season. After all, Twitter’s powerful but not omnipotent.
More:
Twitter and Fox on the Fringe
Tags: a-bit-outside ,a-boost-from ,a-look-though- ,a-perfect-place ,a-scroll-bar ,college ,fringe ,fringe-twitter ,kind ,marketing ,outside-the-box ,show ,social ,twitter ,wyman-dubbed
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: Object
Search activity around the world jumped 41 percent between July 2008 and July 2009, and Google remains the most popular search engine with 67.5% global market share. Those are some of the stats that comScore shared today about the global search market.
According to comScore, Google is not only No. 1 around the world, but it [...]
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Google Still No. 1 Search Engine On Earth; Search Activity Way Up, comScore Says
Tags: are-some ,global ,global-market ,google ,google: web search ,most ,most-popular ,remains-the ,shared-today ,the-world ,world
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: book, marketing, seo
This week I’ll try something a little different with our BIGLIST of online marketing blogs reviews and share a screen shot of the week’s best looking SEO blog to be added.
That honor goes to Mikkel deMib Svendsen who’s been blogging for a very long time, except it’s been mostly in Danish.
Recently, Mikkel decided to launch a SEM blog in English, which is great news if you know Mikkel. At my first SES conference I recall seeing this guy in a bright red suit taking lots of photos and not sure who he was. Then after seeing him speak on a few panels quickly realized the deep his search marketing knowledge he was offering. Now you can get that insight online. This blog is a mix of both text and video SEO content, plus Mikkel has a new book on SEO you should check out.
And now for our SEM/SEO Blog reviews.
- Link Building Best Practices – Eric Ward, aka Link Moses aka old school OLB (original link builder) has re-launched a link building Q/A and tips blog that offers new and updated posts covering one of the most important aspects of boosting web site traffic directly and indirectly: links! Of course, the blog already ranks #2 on Google for “link building best practices”.
- seo zombie – Justin Briggs is the recent winner of Marketing Pilgrims SEM Scholarship with tons of fabulous SEO prizes including a press release announcing his accomplishment from TopRank. Justin makes sense out of SEO by providing tips and observations on SEO basics ranging from keywords to blogs to SEO Lessons.
- Everett Sizemore – Aka @balibones is the SEO at Gaiam and recently launched this blog dedicated to SEO. Gotta love the tag line because it’s keyword rich AND creative: “SEO Consultant – Organic Farmer of Keywords and Tomatoes”.
Be sure to visit these blogs and recommend them to your friends. Heck, add them to your Blogroll. We did!
Blogs included in the BIGLIST have every reason to express their SEO bloggedy awesomeness with an impressive badge.
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/themes/TopRank06/images/stumble-big.png)
![[Google]](http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/themes/TopRank06/images/google-bookmark-big.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/themes/TopRank06/images/facebook-icon.gif)
![[Twitter]](http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/themes/TopRank06/images/twitter.png)
Tags: a-bright-red ,a-old-school ,a-press-release ,accomplishment ,google ,keywords ,marketing ,organic ,search ,seo ,week
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: Object
Ten days ago, we reported that Antonio Gulli left Ask.com after 4 years heading up their technology team in the European R&D center. Gulli announced his new plans are to continue in search, but switch ships and work for Microsoft Bing.
Gulli said he will be “leading all the engineering development for UX and verticals [...]
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Excerpt from:
Gulli Leaves Ask.com For Microsoft Bing, Finally Has “Resources”
Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: Object, marketing, seo
Register now for Search Marketing Expo – SMX East and you’ll save $150. You have until the end of the day Friday, September 11 to take advantage our early bird rate.
50+ conference sessions for all experience levels on SEO, PPC, social media, local search and more. Check out the agenda.
New to search engine marketing? [...]
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SMX East Rate Increases Sept 12 – Register Today & Save
Tags: and-more ,days-ago- ,early ,european ,friday ,have-until ,marketing ,smx & smn alerts ,social media ,spzmu ,take-advantage ,the-end
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: marketing
The words “about time” come to mind, but better late than never: Radically Transparent is now available for the Kindle!
It’s been 18 months since the original print edition was published and today Radically Transparent is still the most comprehensive guide to online reputation management out there! Actually, it’s the only one out there! 
If you own a Kindle, and would like to pick up a copy of Radically Transparent, head over to Amazon immediately!
And, don’t forget to leave a review while you’re there. Thanks! 
More:
Radically Transparent Now Available on Amazon’s Kindle!
Tags: about-time ,advice ,amazon ,but-better ,college ,marketing ,most ,print-edition ,reputation ,social ,transparent ,twitter
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Written on August 31, 2009 by admin
Filed Under: marketing
Admit it: when you first heard about Microsoft Live’s cashback promotion, you thought it was a kooky idea that wouldn’t last long. Announced in May 2008, the program offered to share revenue from Microsoft’s shopping partners with you, the buyer. At the time, we said it sounded like a last-ditch attempt to buy our loyalty.
But over the last year, cashback has surprised us a bit—and not just by sticking around. In October and November, the service was showing an increase in traffic, sales and revenue for participating partners. Still, the promotion didn’t really help them in overall traffic, and seemed like mostly an afterthought—until now. Check out the latest Bing commercial:
The newest addition to Bing’s marketing blitz touts the cashback program.
TechCrunch also reports that Bing was running a promotion this month for double cashback on certain purchases—and that promotion was so successful they had to end the program three days early, when they ran out of money allotted for the promotion.
What do you think? Is cashback going to put Bing over the top? Or will it remain a bit of a search oddity, little known despite the commercial?
Go here to read the rest:
Bing Cashback Goes Big
Tags: a-kooky-idea ,a-search-oddity ,check-out-the ,marketing ,marketing-blitz ,microsoft-live ,money-allotted ,newest-addition ,over-the-last ,overall-traffic ,program ,promotion ,search ,time ,will-it-remain
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