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
5540 items (5015 unread) in 3 feeds
Google
(325 unread)
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Official Google Webmaster Central Blog (325 unread)
SEO
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Emily Chang (347 unread)
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Search Engine Roundtable
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Search Engine Roundtable (6 unread)
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Daily Search Forum Recap: June 11, 2009
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 11:00pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
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Google Finally Adds Domain Change Tool & Launches New Webmaster Tools Design
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 3:52pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Optimization
Back in early 2006, we called for a Google Certified Domain Change solution to allow webmasters to communicate to Google when we move domains. Moving domains is one of the biggest concerns SEOs and webmasters have for when it comes to losing rankings in Google.
This tool, named the change of address feature allows you to verify two domains in Google Webmaster Tools and then tell Google that one verified domain is moving to another verified domain.
There is complete documentation on how this works at this Google document. Plus, you should 100% read the moving your site guidelines before making such a move. Here is a picture of the change address form.
One issue is that the change of address feature seems like it is currently not working. Scott Clark posted in Google Webmaster Help that when he tries the feature, it returns an error that reads, "Hm. Something isn't right. We're checking into it now." Googlers said they are looking into the issue and hopefully it will be resolved shortly.
In addition to the change of address feature, Google also launched the new Google Webmaster Tools design, which they have been testing for just about a month. Plus, Google added a neat feature to be emailed when a message is sent in the Google Webmaster Tools message box.
Forum discussion at:
- Change of Address feature seems to be broken, Google Webmaster Help
- Google Adds Change of Address To Notify Google Of Domain Change, Sphinn
- Google Webmaster Tools Has New Look!, DigitalPoint Forums
- NEW - Change of Address in Google Webmaster Tools, WebmasterWorld
- You Can Now Officially Tell Google When You Change Domains!, HighRankings Forums
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Google AdWords Maintenance On Saturday, June 13th
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 3:47pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
This Saturday, on June 13th, between 10am to 2pm (PST), Google will be performing system wide maintenance on the AdWords platform.
The Inside AdWords Blog wrote:
On Saturday, June 13th, 2009, the AdWords system will be unavailable from approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT due to system maintenance. While you won't be able to sign in to your accounts during this time, your campaigns will continue to run as usual. We apologize for any inconvenience.
This is typical monthly maintenance, so no need for concern.
If you have any questions or concerns you can post them in either Google AdWords Help or WebmasterWorld Forums.
Forum discussion at Google AdWords Help or WebmasterWorld.
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Unintentional Reciprocal Links Are Natural Links
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 3:39pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Link Building
I found a fun thread at HighRankings Forums that discusses what he calls "unintentional reciprocal links." What I find funny about that name is that, if you think about it, an unintentional reciprocal link, but definition, is a natural link.
I believe this person is worried that Google or a search engine might classify his site to be in a link scheme if the people who he linked to, links back to him. In many cases, the places we link to, will naturally link back.
How often do I link from here to Search Engine Land and from Search Engine Land back to here? Is that a reciprocal link? How often do I link to other search blogs, that link back to me?
It is just natural to have "unintentional reciprocal links," so don't sweat it.
In the thread, Jill Whalen, owner of High Rankings, added an other point about reciprocal links:
In that case, the original poster is under the false impression that a reciprocal links are penalized. Since they're not, there's nothing to worry about.
Forum discussion at HighRankings Forums.
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Images Under Google Search Snippets
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 3:28pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Search Engine
I don't think I wrote about Google's latest search results test. Over the past month or so, Google has been testing images, several of them, directly under a search snippet. BlogStorm first reported the finding back on May 26th, and I covered his finding as Search Engine Land on the same day. Then it seemed to be hitting the Google UK servers as some sort of test.
Well, it seems to have expanded to Google Sweden. Brent Csutoras (a nice guy btw) wrote how they are now seeing the same thing in Google Sweden for a search on [vigselringar] which means wedding rings. Here is a picture taken from his blog, since I cannot reproduce it here:
So keep an eye on this, because it might be coming to Google.com.
Forum discussion at Sphinn.
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Facebook Launches Usernames But Stumps Sabbath Observers
Posted: June 11th, 2009, 3:08pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Social Search
Facebook announced they will be adding usernames for profile URLs. For example, my current Facebook URL is [www.facebook.com] but hopefully sometime early next week, it will become facebook.com/barryschwartz. In fact, it will, since Journalists don't have to wait for the Friday night deadline to secure their username on Facebook.
How does this apply to SEO? Well, for public profile pages that want to solve any online reputation management issues, a nice URL with your name in it, might help a bit.
So what is the issue? Well, as I tweeted the other day, Facebook is opening the first come first serve username registration at the same time Sabbath observers (like me) cannot login and reserve our names. Facebook said, "starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Saturday, June 13, you'll be able to choose a username on a first-come, first-serve basis for your profile and the Facebook Pages that you administer by visiting www.facebook.com/username/."
Do I think Facebook did this intentionally? No way. Probably just an oversight that will impact many Facebook users. Personally, I did not care that much, I just felt bad for some die hard Facebook users. Now, I can even less, being that I am a journalist and I reserved my name already. But I still feel bad.
Tamar FriendFeeded (is that a word) that she was upset she couldn't secure her name since she is also a Shabbath observer. Hopefully someone can help her out. I was told that /barry was already taken, I think by a Facebook employee.
A WebmasterWorld thread has SEOs and marketers already thinking of ways to use these username URLs for their benefit.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.