Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Feeds
5033 items (4508 unread) in 3 feeds
Google
(305 unread)
-
Official Google Webmaster Central Blog (305 unread)
SEO
(4203 unread)
-
Emily Chang (334 unread)
-
Search Engine Roundtable
(3869 unread)
Search Engine Roundtable (6 unread)
-
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 24, 2009
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 11:00pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
-
Optimizing Sites For Search Engines For 10 Years
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 3:52pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: SEO Forum News
There aren't many people out there that can say they have been in the SEO industry and optimizing sites for search engines since 1999. But there are probably a hundred or so people who can say that. Personally, I joined the "SEO industry" in 2002 (been in the internet industry since 1995), what is known as the second wave of personalities who joined the industry. Danny Sullivan, Chris Sherman, Daron Babin, Greg Boser (I better stop naming names before I insult people) were part of the first wave - people who were in the industry before it may have been known as SEO.
That being said, a YouMoz post named SEO Since 1999 takes you through the history of one quiet SEO, who was optimizing sites for ten plus years. Can you imagine? In any event, this write up should interest anyone who loves the industry.
Here is the introductory paragraph:
Monday, April 20th, 2009: Today I celebrate the completion of my first decade in search. I have been waiting for this day with some trepidation for the past 6 months or so. I am not really sure why or even what this anniversary really means. Does it mean that I am some sort of expert? Well, anything is possible. Or does it mean that I have wasted the past decade with little to show in an industry that my friends and family can hardly even understand? Hmm, I hope not. In truth, it means I not only have a job that I like, but a career that I love.
Forum discussion at Sphinn.
-
Global Live Search Local Listings Coming Soon
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 3:46pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Microsoft MSN Search
Live Search Maps is still gaining ground and currently, the only businesses that can verify their listings are those in the US. For US businesses, you can go to Live Search Local Listing Center and update your listings. But if you are outside of the US, you are out of luck.
A WebmasterWorld thread has a UK business owner who was upset he was unable to verify his listing. MSNDude, an official Microsoft representative has finally come in to respond. His response:
Unfortunately, we currently do not support local listings outside of the US. However, I believe the local listings team is working to expand this in the near future.
You hear that? It might be here in the "near future." Who knows how long that really means, but "near future" to me, would mean within the year.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
-
SEOs Excited For Google Analytics API
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 3:39pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Tracking Conversion Measurements
Google announced the public availability of the Google Analytics API this week and SEOs are very happy about it.
SEOs thrive with data and even better SEOs have ways to automatically build software that uses this data to improve their conversions. Dynamically creating new pages based on search query data or A/B testing landing pages based on bounce rates and conversions in an automated fashion, simply makes sense. There are just an incredible amount of opportunity with this new API and SEOs are excited about it.
To be fair, most SEOs who realized this benefit already built internal systems to handle most of the tracking and dynamic creation of content and landing pages. But maybe Google Analytics gives them new ways to peal away at the data that they haven't had the time or resources to get at as of yet?
If you have technical questions about the API, you can check out the new Google Analytics API Group. There is a dedicated Googler there to help.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
-
Yahoo Shuts Down History: GeoCities To Be Closed
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 3:34pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Other Yahoo Topics
Shouldn't there be some laws about removing historic landmarks from the Internet? I mean, we have laws about physical historic landmarks in the U.S. but not on the Internet?
If you visit GeoCities, you will notice a message that reads:
Sorry, new GeoCities accounts are no longer available.
After careful consideration, we have decided to close GeoCities later this year. We'll share more details this summer. For now, please sign in or visit the help center for more information.
In short, Yahoo is shutting it down and current GeoCity customers have to find a new hosting solution. Yahoo is of course pushing their paid small business hosting service.
Clearly, Yahoo has to turn their business around but to close down history? Maybe Obama has something in his budget to take over the historic GeoCities? ;-)
Personally, I have never used GeoCities - but it was incredibly popular. Googler, JohnMu, Tweeted "Surprised at how many serious sites are hosted on GeoCities: get a domain name and move your stuff out NOW!" Now he would know the value of some of these GeoCities sites.
Forum discussion at DigitalPoint Forums.
-
Filter Google AdSense Ads By Category
Posted: April 24th, 2009, 3:15pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdSense
The Google AdSense Blog announced they are beta testing a new feature for publishers that allow them to filter ads based on category. So if publishers don't want ads that are about dating, religion or "get rich quick" type of ads, they can block those ads from showing on their site by blocking the whole category.
Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? In fact, They shared a screen shot that details the various categories. In addition, it even shows you how much money you are making from each category. This way, you don't block your most profitable category.
So what is the issue? A WebmasterWorld thread asks a very important question. Who is classifying the ads into categories? Is it Google or the advertiser? One member said that when someone asked a Google rep about this at the ADSPACE conference (where this was announced), Google said the advertiser is categorizing their ads.
Here is the post from the thread on that:
Someone asked this question at the google panel at adspace today, and the way i heard the answer is that the _advertiser_ sets the category.
Both the questioner and the answerer were not too clear, but this is what i gathered from the exchange.
The concern is that advertisers will make sure not to categorize their ads in certain categories that might be perceived as negative towards publishers. Now, I am not 100% sure if advertisers to categories their own ads, we will have to wait and see how this all works.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.