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.
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Daily Search Forum Recap: November 25, 2009
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 10:00pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
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What Are Google's 200 Search Engine Ranking Factors?
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 3:25pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Google Optimization
A neat new WebmasterWorld thread is trying to do the impossible by putting down on paper, what exactly are the 200 or so search engine ranking factors used by Google.
The thread creator put out a few dozen ranking factors, but there is a way to go here. Think this is a possible task?
Even if they do get all the 200 ranking factors down, figuring out the weights assigned to each and how Google scores them based on other factors can be a bit complex. SEOs have been trying to do so since even before Google was born. Back then, it was a lot easier, now - it is virtually impossible. I bet Matt Cutts, who has access to this data, wouldn't be able to get it exact (no offense).
Anyway, trying to come up with the list, in itself, is useful on some level. But understanding where to put your emphasis and time in, is what is most important for SEOs to understand.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
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Snagging Google Maps Reviews From Your Competitors
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 3:15pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Other Google Topics
A Google Maps Help thread has an interesting report of one business having the reviews of another. If you look at the Thomas French, DC, Chiropractor reviews, they look great, but when you look at Dr Keith Overland, it seems like he has reviews for Dr. French.
Here are the reviews on Dr. Keith Overland's page, which all reference Dr. French:
Two things could of happened here:
(1) It could be a technical glitch with Google Maps where reviews moved from one business listing to another.
(2) The people who left reviews accidentally put it on the wrong business listing?
Both businesses are in Norwalk, Connecticut - so who knows.
Forum discussion at Google Maps Help.
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Banned Google AdWords Accounts Will Likely Never Be Unsuspended
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 3:02pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
As you know, Google has stepped up disabling and banning AdWords advertisers. The bans result in the advertiser not being able to set up new accounts and Google is stricter about who they ban. In fact, I am getting phone calls and emails from people complaining to me that their accounts are banned (I cannot get accounts unbanned, so please do not call me).
There should be an appeals process, but does it work? I doubt it.
An old Google AdWords Help thread has been updated by AdWordsPro Bindu. Bindu said, in black and white, plus bolded a sentence:
My answer to that would be almost never will account be unsuspended. Once an account is suspended, its hard to get details on the exact violation (I, for example, have no insight as to why accounts are terminated). That said, it almost doesn't matter, because once an account is suspended, Google reserves the right to terminate all future advertising with AdWords.
Got that? It seems like the appeals process won't make much of a difference. As Bindu said earlier in that thread, "though I would not want to raise your hopes, I recommend you write in to support for a re-evaluation of your account. They will be able to follow through with a final word on your account status." Good luck.
Again, I feel bad for those being banned - but I personally cannot do anything for you, so please do not call or email me.
Forum discussion at Google AdWords Help.
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A Look at Google AdWords Newish Ads
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 2:56pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
The Google blog is coming clean on the various ad formats they have, outside the standard text ads. Like I did over at Search Engine Land, I will post the various ad formats below.
Google Video AdWords Ads:
Google AdWords Sitelinks:
Google AdWords Local Ads:
Google AdWords Local Ads:
Google AdWords Product Ads:
Google AdWords Comparison Ads:Forum discussion at Sphinn and WebmasterWorld.
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Google AdWords Opens Product Ads To All U.S. Advertisers
Posted: November 25th, 2009, 2:47pm CET by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
The day has come where Google has opened the product ads product to all U.S. advertisers.
I believe Google is running two types of product ads, although I am not 100% sure. I believe one is commission based product AdWords ads and the other is normal PPC based product ads. Here is some history:
Back in January 2008, Google began testing product (base) results in ads. They continued the test in October 2008 with expandable links to these ads. Then in February 2009, the ads became very well seen by many searchers. In May they tested one line product links and in August they tested open product ads. In April, I wrote how to get product images in AdWords ads. Keep in mind, some of these campaigns were not CPA driven, like the one I mention above.
Here is a picture of some product ads in the search results:
Forum discussion at Google Merchant Help.