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Search Engine Roundtable (15 unread)

Google Hungary Mihaly Munkacsy Logo

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The
Google's Constantin Brancusi 135th Birthday Logo

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The
Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: February 18, 2011

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Buzz video Round Recap
Exciting week in search, yet again. J.C. Penney and Forbes were both publicly penalized by Google this week, both for paid links. Which then got people trying to call me out for paid links, which I never hide - so I ranted on that for a good few minutes. Bing is now personalizing search results. Google revamped their social search to be more integrated. Google is now going to explore explicit user feedback via a Chrome extension for ranking purposes. Google is planning tighter integration between Webmaster Tools and Analytics. Google rolled out a new top navigation bar, and I like it. Don't use the new parallax effect for your site if you want quality search rankings. Seems like a Trojan is out messing with Google and your web history. Google can't fix the Google Places respond to reviews feature. What do SEOs need to know with IPv6? Another SEO company almost called out by Google for lying in the forum and then the legal threats come out. Google Mexico had a TV logo, Google UK had an Ernest Shackleton logo and I feature the hot Valentine's Day logos from Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask.com and others. That was this past week at the Search Engine Roundtable. Happy New Years!
Make sure to subscribe to our video feed or subscribe directly on iTunes to be notified of these updates and download the video in the background. You can also watch this live and ask questions during the show, typically Friday mornings around 9:30 (EST) at seroundtable.com/live, follow @rustybrick to be notified when we air. Here is the YouTube version of the feed:
For the original iTunes version, click here.
Search Topics of Discussion:
Please do subscribe via iTunes or on your favorite RSS reader. Don't forget to comment below with the right answer and good luck!
Daily Search Forum Recap: February 18, 2011

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Forum Recap
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.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Why Can't Google Fix The Places Response To Reviews Bug
  In August 2010, Google released a feature to enable Google Place business owners to respond to reviews in their Google Place pages. But it didn't work for many...
- How Dare You Tell Me To NoFollow My Sponsored Links
  I am getting upset, I rarely write stories when I am upset but hey - when you are in the heat of the moment, the writing should come out passionate, shouldn't it...
- Google Social Search Results Now More Integrated
  The big news from yesterday was that Google is updating social search to be more deeply integrated into the search result. The specifics include: (1) Social Search results show up directly in the search results and no longer at the bottom of the search results...
- Google Planning Tighter Integration Between Webmaster Tools & Analytics
  I was wrong, I thought the link between Google Webmaster Tools & Analytics was the most we would get from Google in terms of integration between the two tools for a while...
- Are These Googlers Wearing Lederhosen?
  Here is a picture of some possible Googler's in Lederhosen.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- DOTW: How to Hire an SEO/SEM Consultant?, Sphinn
- A Tweet's Effect On Rankings - An Unexpected Case Study, Sphinn
- eHow pages don't show external links in the Google cache, WebmasterWorld
- Google Sitemaps - Crossover Content in Webmaster Tools, WebmasterWorld
- How To Use Param1 and Param2 in AdCenter to Customize Paid Search Ads [Tutorial], Sphinn
- YouTube Robots.txt, Google Blogoscoped Forum
- 8 Excellent WordPress SEO Plugins, Sphinn
- Automated Rules, WebmasterWorld
- Bing Launches New Bing Bar, WebmasterWorld
- Wikipedia citations, WebmasterWorld
Why Can't Google Fix The Places Response To Reviews Bug

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Maps

In August 2010, Google released a feature to enable Google Place business owners to respond to reviews in their Google Place pages.
But it didn't work for many, we had complaint after complaint after complaint and Google 'fixed' it at least twice but apparently it is still not fixed.
If you read the ongoing Google Places Help thread, you will see that Google fixed it a couple times, but every time they fix it, people complain that it still doesn't work.
A couple days after Stephan from Google said the issue was fixed, again - people came in to say it still doesn't work for them.
I know how bugs can be and I know Google wants to fix it. So if you are still having issues, explain to Google how they can reproduce those errors so Google can fix this once and for all.
Forum discussion at Google Places Help.
How Dare You Tell Me To NoFollow My Sponsored Links

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine Optimization
I am getting upset, I rarely write stories when I am upset but hey - when you are in the heat of the moment, the writing should come out passionate, shouldn't it?
The other day, I broke the story that Forbes got caught selling links and didn't even know they were selling it. It turns out, it was a technical error and they apologized, removed the links and likely submitted their reconsideration request.
But if you read the comments in my post and even some comments in the Google Webmaster Help thread you will see people laughing at me because we sell links on the side bar here. Yes, scroll down, look on the right, there are "sponsored links." We have sponsors pay about $350 per month for those links and most have been there for years. You don't think I know I sell links on this site? Do you think I am that dumb?
Let me give you some history, so you have some perspective. In November 2007 Google started slapping sites who sold links that passed PageRank. It specifically was targeting paid links and this came with no surprise to SEOs, Google warned us, if you sell links, make sure they don't pass PageRank or Google can penalize you.
So sites, like this one, that did not listen began to see their PageRank drop significantly - yes, including this one. We saw our PageRank in the Toolbar drop from a six or seven to a four. It was upsetting, but I was stubborn and hey our traffic didn't drop at that time. Most sites hit with the penalty quickly removed the paid links from passing PageRank and asked Google for forgiveness. Some brave webmasters did not, and decided to live with the penalty.
As I said back in 2007, I think this is the smartest move Google could have made. They have to target link sellers, because link buyers target their search quality. I think Google is doing the right thing for penalizing sites for selling links. I have no ill will against Google for penalizing this site. Again, they have to do it and they are 100% right in doing so.
But at the same time, I have 100% right to build my site the way I want. I know, without a doubt, that the penalty this site (and other sites) have for selling links affects more than just the visible Toolbar PageRank. Back in 2007, I didn't see a ranking or traffic drop. But soon later I noticed the traffic and ranking in Google for this site dropped. There is no doubt that if I removed the links, my traffic would likely increase by 25% to 100%.
As you can see, I am making a conscious decision to leave the paid links here despite the PageRank and ranking penalty. Why?
- I had those links there prior to Google's paid links guideline
- I always clearly labeled them as paid links for humans to see
- Google reads this blog, they know about the paid links and I know they discredit them
- I am stupid
- I am incredibly stubborn, ask my wife
You see, I just don't want to change. This is how I had it, this is how I want it to be. I know the links do little value to those buying them. I believe, I really do, that the sponsors of this site do it because they want to support the site and the industry. Proof? I am posting this, they can read it and pull their links at any time.
So why won't I nofollow them then? Because I am stubborn and I am one of the few SEO blogs that decided to not change when Google unleashed their penalty (again, Google has to do it and I commend them for it).
Does this mean I will never remove the links? No. But for now, and for the past three-plus years, the links are staying as is.
Feel free to trash (or support) me in the comments.
Google Social Search Results Now More Integrated

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine

The big news from yesterday was that Google is updating social search to be more deeply integrated into the search result. The specifics include:
(1) Social Search results show up directly in the search results and no longer at the bottom of the search results.
(2) The results with social elements now show more comprehensive notes for links people have shared on Twitter and other sites.
(3) More controls on what you share privately and publicly.
Social Search Results Now (or coming soon):
Social Search Results Before (bottom BETA only):
For more information, see this Google Help document or Search Engine Land and here is an updated video from Google:
Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help, WebmasterWorld, Google Blogoscoped Forums and DigitalPoint Forums.
Google Planning Tighter Integration Between Webmaster Tools & Analytics

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Other Google Topics

I was wrong, I thought the link between Google Webmaster Tools & Analytics was the most we would get from Google in terms of integration between the two tools for a while.
But it appears Google is really seeking out feedback for what they should add next, in terms of integrating the two reporting tools.
A Google Webmaster Help thread started by Google Product Manager, Christina S. Chen, asked Webmasters to share what future features and integration ideas they have.
Christina said:
What future integrations would you like to see between Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics?
We recently announced the ability to link Google Analytics profiles to sites in Webmaster Tools.
Go here to tell us what future integrations you would like to see between the two products: [goo.gl].
So yes, Google is planning on integrating the two reporting tools more deeply, which is outstanding for webmasters.
My only question is why in the world is Google asking for the feedback in a Quora thread? I mean, isn't this what the Google help forums are for?
Anyway, I suspect Google wouldn't mind feedback in both the Google Webmaster Help forum and/or Quora thread.
Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help & Quora.
Are These Googlers Wearing Lederhosen?

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The
Daily Search Forum Recap: February 17, 2011

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Forum Recap
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.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google Penalizes Forbes For Selling Links, Again
  Forbes.com, the extremely popular magazine web site, has been notified by Google that they have been penalized for selling links on their web site. Denis Pinsky, the Digital Marketing Manager at Forbes.com, posted a Google Webmaster Help thread with the notification warning. As some of you know, Google now email site owners when they are participating in unnatural links and Forbes.com just received their email from Google.
- Google's New Navigation Bar Rolling Out
  Google has been testing a new top bar navigation for over a month now, some would say even longer. But it does appear that new top bar navigation is being rolled out to everyone now. Heck...
- Poll: Are There Risk Free Paid Links?
  In light of Forbes being penalized for selling links and Google sending out link warnings to link sellers and buyers - a new topic arose at WebmasterWorld where one SEO asks if there is such a thing as a "penalty-proof paid link...
- IPv6 Coming: SEOs May Want To Prepare
  IPv6, Internet Protocol version 6, is the Internet's answer to running out of IP addresses. IPv4 had 4,294,967...
- AdWords Below First Page Bid Warning Missing Price
  Normally when you create a keyword in Google AdWords and that keyword requires a higher bid amount to show up in the Google AdWords section of the search results, Google will tell you exactly how much you need to bid to show up...
- Bing Now Using Location & Previous Search History To Personalize Results
  Bing announced last week that they are venturing into personalized search results. Yes, they have announced a partnership with Facebook to personalize results, but those are within box elements on the page...
- Google Mexico's Color TV Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena Logo
  Google Mexico has a special logo of a color TV representation for Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena's 94th birthday. He was born February 17, 1917 and died on April 18...
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Google One Pass Launched, A Digital Content Management Service, WebmasterWorld
- Public Data Explorer opened, Google Blogoscoped Forum
- The Next Generation of Ranking Signals, Sphinn
- Best Way To Handle Affiliate Links?, HighRankings Forums
- How does Google handle reviews and sentiment?, Sphinn
- SEO Confessions of a Former “Dirty Little Secret” Keeper, Sphinn
- Since Watson is basically a glorified search engine, when will Google challenge Watson on Jeopardy?, Google Web Search Help
Google's New Navigation Bar Rolling Out

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine

Google has been testing a new top bar navigation for over a month now, some would say even longer. But it does appear that new top bar navigation is being rolled out to everyone now. Heck, I even see it.
Here is a picture of the new top bar navigation on the Google search home page:
Here is a closer look at the top right section:

I also see it on my Gmail screen, Google Images, and Google Maps. But I do not see the new top bar when navigating Google Video, Google News, Google Shopping, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Reader or Picasa.
Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help and Google Blogoscoped Forums.
Poll: Are There Risk Free Paid Links?

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Link Building tips SEO

In light of Forbes being penalized for selling links and Google sending out link warnings to link sellers and buyers - a new topic arose at WebmasterWorld where one SEO asks if there is such a thing as a "penalty-proof paid link."
Can you buy certain links and not run any risk in being penalized for that link?
Of course, many SEOs know there are some links - paid - that won't get you banned. Links like the Yahoo Directory or Open Directory Project. Links from non-profit organizations that you are a member of. There are many cases where you can "buy" a link and not get penalized for it.
But are there ways to buy mass links and not get caught. Or better yet, are there ways to buy links specifically for Google ranking purposes and never ever run the risk of getting caught?
Take my poll below:
Are There Penalty Proof Paid Links?Market Research
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
IPv6 Coming: SEOs May Want To Prepare

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: SEO Search Engine Optimization

IPv6, Internet Protocol version 6, is the Internet's answer to running out of IP addresses. IPv4 had 4,294,967,296 IP addresses because it was 32 bits and ultimately was a test that became real. IPv6 is 128-bit and has approximately 340 undecillion or 3.41038 IP addresses - it's a lot and we wouldn't have to worry about running out of IP addresses.
But to make the change our computers need to update. That means your web site host needs to update things, like your servers, the routers, DNS, and so on. It also means that ISP, the way you connect to the internet, also need to update things.
Why the big rush now? Well, there is no rush but technically, the last block of IP addresses were just sold, so we are officially out of new IP addresses. Got that?
SEOs of course want to make sure that (1) the search engines can crawl, index and rank their pages and (2) searchers can click over and view their web pages from the search engines.
When IPv6, if you are not ready, it is possible you will be missing out on either one or two. But no need to panic, we are a far way from that.
The internet community is holding a World IPv6 Day and players like Google and Bing are partaking.
But again, SEOs are concerned and one expressed his concern in a Google Webmaster Help thread. I responded that this SEO should not worry but if they want to learn more, they should read the Google post and see google.com/intl/en/ipv6.
Google's JohnMu came in to confirm what I said but also add:
Even though it might not be necessary at the moment, I think it's a great idea to move forward see what you'd need to do to enable IPv6 connectivity, both where you're working (or at home) and where your site is hosted.
SEOs may want to consider joining the World IPv6 Day and prep some of their sites for this transition. There is plenty of information at the World IPv6 Day page.
Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.
AdWords Below First Page Bid Warning Missing Price

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google AdWords

Normally when you create a keyword in Google AdWords and that keyword requires a higher bid amount to show up in the Google AdWords section of the search results, Google will tell you exactly how much you need to bid to show up.
The picture to the right, shows an example of a Google AdWords warning where a specific keyword is not showing because it is "Below first page bid." And as you can see under the warning, Google is telling me I need to bid at least $0.30 to show up on the first page.
But yesterday, and I confirmed this, many of these warnings were showing up without showing the minimum required bid to show up. So Google was telling you that you were not bidding enough but not specifying how much you need to bid to show up.
I believe the bug is now resolved, if not, you can complain with the other advertisers at WebmasterWorld.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
Bing Now Using Location & Previous Search History To Personalize Results

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Bing Search

Bing announced last week that they are venturing into personalized search results. Yes, they have announced a partnership with Facebook to personalize results, but those are within box elements on the page, not tailoring the actual results you get.
This new announcement is Bing's first real venture into personalizing the actual search results based on two personalization factors.
(1) Location
(2) Previous Searches
Bing admits some of these personalization are "relatively simple" but they can make a huge difference. I should note, Google has been doing these personalization techniques for years.
(1) Location: If you search for something that may have local intent, such as [pizza], Bing will use your location to tailor local pizza results.
(2) Previous Searches: Bing is now presenting relevant website based on an individual's previous searches. For example, if you are searching for travel related keywords and then search for [jfk], Bing might understand you are looking for the airport as opposed to the President.
There has been no forum discussion on this until yesterday and that forum discussion is actually referencing the old Facebook announcement.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

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SEO News » Search Engine Roundtable » February 21, 2011

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Search Engine Roundtable (15 unread)

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Buzz video Round Recap

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Forum Recap

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Maps

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine Optimization

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Other Google Topics

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Engine Photo Of The

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Search Forum Recap

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google Search Engine

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Link Building tips SEO

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: SEO Search Engine Optimization

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Google AdWords

Fetched: February 21st, 2011, 1:04pm CET by Barry Schwartz

Tags: Bing Search