SEO Objective For Links

The number #1 objective for performing any SEO for your website is ranking higher so that you receive more visitors. Google is the number #1 most used search engine. One of the top priorities for Google is to deliver the most relevant results that are authentic and answer the users search query. They have initiated algorithmic changes recently that aim to delivery these results. Matt Cutts, head of Google's Web Spam team continues to drive this SEO message to all web masters.

One of the key SEO algorithmic factors is still links. A few years back best SEO practices used to be buying links, trading links, guest posting on blogs and other media sites etc. These SEO techniques were quickly gamed by those in the SEO world and many links, especially from link farms and directories were not authentic. As a result of Google's Panda update, links have become scrutinized for authenticity and relevancy. Many sites were hurt from this because they tried to game the system and had hundreds and some, even thousands of bad links according to the new Panda update.

For SEO and content marketing to be effective, links must be authentically garnered. If you produce great content, search results will come. Matt Cutts stated this recently, "...the objective is not to make your links appear natural, the objective is that your links are Natural."

All the Best,


Michael Newhouse
WCN group
wcngroup@gmail.com

#Hashtag vs Keyword

Hashtags and keywords and both vital online marketing tactics and both share some of the same definition attributes but also have some distinct functional mechanics.

Let's begin with the basic definitions:

Keyword

(1) In text editing and database management systems, a keyword is an index entry that identifies a specific record or document.
(2) In programming, a keyword is a word that is reserved by a program because the word has a special meaning. Keywords can be commands or parameters. Every programming language has a set of keywords that cannot be used as variable names. Keywords are sometimes called reserved names . (3) A word used by a search engine in its search for relevant Web pages.

source

Hashtag

The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.

source

The similarities are that both are a word or phrases that is a key identifier to reference by the author and to be searched. Now the difference, the word or phrase is only identified by it originating platform.  A hashtag is now only identified to its platform Twitter. A keyword is identified with the giant search platform Google and diluted into other areas of online marketing language.

Additionally, keywords are a long term not a limited or one time usage SEO/Social Media strategy. Add in that hashtags can be used as search terms when people want several choices for the word or phrase. Twitter feeds are found in search results especially favoring active twitter accounts and extremely popular terms.

When developing a strategic marketing plan including the usage of hashtags and keywords (should always be included) insure that you understand the difference and the similarities and how to strategically incorporate into your plan. You can expect results varying from top search results, twitter trending, brand impressions and a gateway to sales.

All the Best,

Michael Newhouse

WCNGroup is a Strategic Marketing and Branding agency founded by Michael Newhouse. Services include brand identity, demographic discovery, marketing planning, business plan development, experiential campaign execution, digital marketing and social media.

Spammers, Scammers, Internet Marketing Experts, Network Marketers...

With the rising popularity of #social #media which opened the door for poaching thousands of unsuspecting individuals, the tactics and strategies used are bolder than ever. Give me your $ money and you will get nothing in return should be their tag line because it is so blatant scamming. In some of my previous post I talked about "Social Media Gurus", "Social Media Experts" etc which promise some of the same returns as the spammers, scammers, internet marketing experts and network marketers.

In a well explored article by Bob Sullivan called, "The Women of Twitter: Behind those sexy tweets" he tried to reach out to these Twitter accounts to interview them but none responded.  Bob explains in the article the scam, "their methods are always the same -- steal clicks, sell ads against them, then try to upsell some other crazy service".  The majority of these scams come from International locations and I have witnessed a quote a few from New Zealand.  

I should also throw in some of the SEO black hatters, Link builders and Directory sites that  continue to fill our in boxes with emails claiming to act now or loose your domain, build thousands of links and enter your business here in our Directory etc. 

Bottom line, be careful, do your Google search, if they do not have a legit presence online stop there and run.  Use your trusted connections off and on line to further your investigation.  If you still have questions, you can send an email and I will investigate. 

Have fun and play safe.

Google Super Bowl Ad "Parisian Love" wins

For the first time in Google's history they entered the Super Bowl ad world in a big way by securing a commercial ad spot during the 2010 Super bowl. A bold move for the search giant, so failing was not an option. Google choose to secure their ad after half time during the third quarter of the game. Google CEO Eric Schmidt announced on his Twitter account, "Can't wait to watch the Superbowl tomorrow. Be sure to watch the ads in the 3rd quarter (someone said "Hell has indeed frozen over") ."

The 52 second ad was a view of their search engine doing what it does best, searching. The Search story followed a person trying to find information for courting a french girl. The Search story included mainly organic search and local search results. Interesting that they did not included paid search results, their bread and butter for revenue. The search results included using the web for definitions, translation and travel information.

"We didn't set out to do a Super Bowl ad, or even a TV ad for search," wrote a bashful-seeming Schmidt in a company blog post. "Our goal was simply to create a series of short online videos about our products and our users, and how they interact ... But we liked this video so much, and it's had such a positive reaction on YouTube, that we decided to share it with a wider audience."

Why this 52 second Google ad won:

• Branded advertising, "Google" was the name appearing throughout. You knew exactly who the advertiser was as compared to others who you did not.
• A story was told, you followed the progress and at the end wanted to know how it plays out.
• Educated on the use of its products, clearly demonstrated why it is easy to use and the many variations that it can be used.
• Soft sell, no talking or must buy now.
• Non-bashing, did not say bad things about competitors or why we are the best.

What Google could have done better:

• Slow it down. For thus that are digital savvy we could follow but still was difficult. I had to watch several times to see all the nuances. For the older demographic that is coming online in droves, there as No way they could have followed.
• Make this viral by at the end instead of saying "search on" say the story continues here with a link to their Youtube site with the continued story.
• Include showing the browser arrow scanning the paid search areas both top navigation and side.

Overall, I loved the spot which caught my attention from the other over-produced and played out scripts of the most of the other advertisers.

Share your thoughts here?