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: June 28, 2010
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 11:00pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
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Google Image Search Update : June 2010
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 4:04pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google PageRankSERP Updates
A month and a half ago, we reported on a Google Image Search update. It seems there was another update over the weekend.
A WebmasterWorld thread has Google Images guru zeus reporting on the update. He said now more and more images that were blocked in moderate search (default filter) is now showing up, and at the same time, the quality is still there.
Zeus said:
It looks like we have once again gotten more images included under "safe search moderate" and I still dont see any bad images worth counting, so a good job done. Rankings seem the same.
One thing is for sure they try the last 6-12 Month to include more images to the search, also they got better in not excluding good images.
Thats it, Google image is on a good path the last few yearsand Google remember never change a wining team.
Of course, things do come up and we see it all the time where images that are adult in nature are showing in moderate or strict SafeSearch. But overall, Google is doing a pretty good job with image search.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
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Google "Strongly" Recommends Not Using Meta Refresh Redirects
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 3:43pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Optimization
In a Google Webmaster Help thread talks about the different types of redirects Google likes and dislikes. I figured, since I just wrote about using redirects for affiliate links, it would make for a nice subtopic.
JohnMu, a Googler, strongly warned against using any type of meta-refresh redirect for any redirects. He said, when redirecting, it should be done on the server side level. Let me quote JohnMu from the thread:
I would strongly recommend not using meta refresh-type or JavaScript redirects like that if you have changed your URLs. Instead of using those kinds of redirects, try to have your server do a normal 301 redirect. Search engines might recognize the JavaScript or meta refresh-type redirects, but that's not something I would count on -- a clear 301 redirect is always much better.
How can you check what type of redirect you are using? SEO Consultants has a nice tool that shows you. You can see, that http://seroundtable.com/ redirects using a 301 server side redirect to http://www.seroundtable.com/:
Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.
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Get Link Value From Your Affiliate Links
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 3:32pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Link Building
Affiliates and SEOs don't always get along, but at the same time, some of the best affiliates are the best SEOs and some of the best SEOs are the best affiliates. They often go hand in hand, but there is often a disconnect between the two.
Many SEO affiliates look to maximize their links by making sure those that link to them via affiliate URLs also pass link weight along with it.
An excellent "supporters" thread (meaning, you need to pay to see it) at WebmasterWorld talks about strategies to get the best of both worlds. To get people to use your affiliate program, pay them and track them, but at the same time, keep link weight passed by those links.
In short, ZydoSEO, a preferred member talks about three strategies. I will mention them shortly here but feel free to check out the thread after becoming a supporter. (Note, I am not making an affiliate commission by saying this :))
(1) Use normal tracking URLs, cookie the click and commissions and then 301 redirect them back to the main URL. Once the information is passed to the cookie, it should be fine to 301 redirect those links.
(2) Use search engine friendly based tracking URLs, still you want to cookie the click and then 301 redirect them to the proper place.
(3) Or you can try the rel=canonical element, instead of a physical redirect, you redirect search engines that way.
The canonical method is probably the easiest route, but not all search engines fully support it yet. Google does.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
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Google Pushing Competitors Via Related AdWords Ads
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 3:24pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
Ten days ago, we reported Google was testing Google Related AdWords Ads. Google confirmed this was a "beta experiment" that would use "relevant broad match keywords another opportunity to reach their target audience."
Emma from Periscopix noticed an update where now the ads are broad matching to competitor trademarks. I personally see it myself now.
A search for [Barratts Shoes] shows some ads for Barratts Shoes but also ads for Clarks Shoes and ALDO shoes. Here is a screen shot:
Rod Hull at Search Engine Watch Forums call these related ads, "evil ads." Why Evil? Well, even if a competitor is not targeting competitors trademark names, Google may do that for them now.
Forum discussion at Search Engine Watch Forums.
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Google Translate Now With Ads
Posted: June 28th, 2010, 3:10pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Other Google Topics
Websonic reports that Google Translate is now testing display ads. I personally do not see them, but Michel took a picture.
This comes with no surprise, there is plenty of screen real estate to monetize there.
Do you see ads on Google Translate.
Forum discussion at Google Blogoscoped Forums.