From: sitepronews.com

If you’ve got your own web-based business, you might be asking yourself how you can market your site. There are lots of ways to make this happen, and this article talks about all the demonstrated strategies that would make you have favorable outcomes in this particular field.
The traditional way of promoting a business venture would [...]

Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources

Tips On How To Promote Your Site

Read Original: http://www.sitepronews.com/2010/05/27/tips-on-how-to-promote-your-site/

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From: verticalmeasures.com

Are you using blog commenting as a form of link building? These days blog comments have received quite a bad rap from industry experts. Many people shy away from dropping a comment with a link back to their site, for fear of being labeled a spammer. But in all actuality, there aren’t any conclusive studies [...] Related posts:

1. Should You Use a Commenting System?
2. Monthly Tip Blip — Commenting for Author Approval
3. Our Top 10 Blog Posts in 2009

Read Original: http://www.verticalmeasures.com/link-building/a-blog-commenting-experience-what-can-we-learn-2010/

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From: google.com

Here’s an app that pays for 12 iPads the very first time you use it. Buy one iPad for every single chair in your meeting room… like the projector and the table, it’s part of the room.

I recently sat through a 17 hour meeting with 40 people in it (there were actually 40 people, but it only felt like 17 hours.). That’s a huge waste of attention and resources.

Here’s what the app does (I hope someone will build it): (I know some of these features require a lot of work, and some might require preparation before the meeting. Great! Perhaps then the only meetings we have will be meetings worth having, meetings with an intent to produce an outcome). I can dream…

1. There’s an agenda, distributed by the host, visible to everyone, with time of start and stop, and it updates as the meeting progresses.

2. There’s a timer, keeping things moving because it sits next to the agenda.

3. The host or presenter can push an image or spreadsheet to each device whenever she chooses.

4. There’s an internal back channel that the host can turn on, permitting people in the room to chat privately with each other. (And the whole thing works on internal wifi, so no internet surfing to distract!)

5. There’s a big red ‘bored’ button that each attendee can push anonymously. The presenter can see how many red lights are lighting up at any give time.

6. There’s a bigger green ‘GO!’ button that each attendee can push anonymously. It lets the host or presenter see areas where more depth is wanted.

7. There’s a queue for asking questions, so they just don’t go to the loudest, bravest or most powerful.

8. There’s a voting mechanism.

9. There’s a whiteboard so anyone can draw an idea and push it to the group.

10. There’s a written record of all activity created, so at the end, everyone who attended can get an email digest of what just occurred. Hey, it could even include who participated the most, who asked questions that others thought were useful, who got the most ‘boring’ button presses while speaking…

11. There’s even a way the host can see who isn’t using it actively.

Can you imagine how an hour flies by when everyone has one of these in a meeting? How focused and exhausting it would all be?

$500 each, you’ll sell 50,000…

PS no one built the first one yet. Sigh.

Read Original: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/sethsmainblog/~3/qaFGyUIYghA/ipad-killer-app-2-fixing-meetings.html

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From: sitepronews.com

Search engine optimization consists mainly of on page activity and off page optimization. Building backlinks is a part of off page optimization strategy. High quality backlinks have the potential to increase a websites ranking in the SERPs.
Backlinks are considered valuable when they: a. are do follow b. contain the appropriate anchor text, c. are deep [...]

Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources

How to Build Valuable Backlinks

Read Original: http://www.sitepronews.com/2010/05/26/how-to-build-valuable-backlinks/

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From: google.com

Posted by randfish

In 1997, Google’s founders created an algorithmic method to determine importance and popularity based on several key principles:

• Links on the web can be interpreted as votes that are cast by the source for the target
• All votes are, initially, considered equal
• Over the course of executing the algorithm on a link graph, pages which receive more votes become more important
• More important pages cast more important votes
• The votes a page can cast are a function of that page’s importance, divided by the number of votes/links it casts

That algorithm, of course, was PageRank, and it changed the course of web search, providing tremendous value to Google’s early efforts around quality and relevancy in results. As knowledge of PageRank spread, those with a vested interest in influencing the search rankings (SEOs) found ways to leverage this information for their websites and pages.

But, Google didn’t stand still or rest on their laurels in the field of link analysis. They innovated, leveraging signals like anchor text, trust, hubs & authorities, topic modeling and even human activity to influence the weight a link might carry. Yet, unfortunately, many in the SEO field are still unaware of these changes and how they impact external marketing and link acquisition best practices.

In this post, I’m going to walk through ten principles of link valuation that can be observed, tested and, in some cases, have been been patented. I’d like to extend special thanks to Bill Slawski from SEO By the Sea, whose recent posts on Google’s Reasonable Surfer Model and What Makes a Good Seed Site for Search Engine Web Crawls? were catalysts (and sources) for this post.

As you read through the following 10 issues, please note that these are not hard and fast rules. They are, from our perspective, accurate based on our experiences, testing and observation, but as with all things in SEO, this is opinion. We invite and strongly encourage readers to test these themselves. Nothing is better for learning SEO than going out and experimenting in the wild.

#1 - Links Higher Up in HTML Code Cast More Powerful Votes

Whenever we (or many other SEOs we’ve talked to) conduct tests of page or link features in (hopefully) controlled environments on the web, we/they find that links higher up in the HTML code of a page seem to pass more ranking ability/value than those lower down. This certainly fits with the recently granted Google patent application - Ranking Documents Based on User Behavior and/or Feature Data, which suggested a number of items that may considered in the way that link metrics are passed.

Those who’ve leveraged testing environments also often struggle against the power of the “higher link wins” phenomenon, and it can take a surprising amount of on-page optimization to overcome the power the higher link carries.

#2 - External Links are More Influential than Internal Links

There’s little surprise here, but if you recall, the original PageRank concept makes no mention of external vs. internal links counting differently. It’s quite likely that other, more recently created metrics (post-1997) do reward external links over internal links. You can see this in the correlation data from our post a few weeks back noting that external mozRank (the “PageRank" sent from external pages) had a much higher correlation with rankings than standard mozRank (PageRank):

I don’t think it’s a stretch to imagine Google separately calculating/parsing out external PageRank vs. Internal PageRank and potentially using them in different ways for page valuation in the rankings.

#3 - Links from Unique Domains Matters More than Links from Previously Linking Sites

Speaking of correlation data, no single, simple metric is better correlated with rankings in Google’s results than the number of unique domains containing an external link to a given page. This strongly suggests that a diversity component is at play in the ranking systems and that it’s better to have 50 links from 50 different domains than to have 500 more links from a site that already links to you. Curiously again, the original PageRank algorithm makes no provision for this, which could be one reason sitewide links from domains with many high-PageRank pages worked so well in those early years after Google’s launch.

#4 - Links from Sites Closer to a Trusted Seed Set Pass More Value

We’ve talked previously about TrustRank on SEOmoz and have generally reference the Yahoo! research paper - Combating Webspam with TrustRank. However, Google’s certainly done plenty on this front as well (as Bill covers here) and this patent application on selecting trusted seed sites certainly speaks to the ongoing need and value of this methodology. Linkscape’s own mozTrust score functions in precisely this way, using a PageRank-like algorithm that’s biased to only flow link juice from trusted seed sites rather than equally from across the web.

#5 - Links from “Inside" Unique Content Pass More Value than Those from Footers/Sidebar/Navigation

Papers like Microsoft’s VIPS (Vision Based Page Segmentation), Google’s Document Ranking Based on Semantic Distance, and the recent Reasonable Surfer stuff all suggest that valuing links from content more highly than those in sidebars or footers can have net positive impacts on avoiding spam and manipulation. As webmasters and SEOs, we can certainly attest to the fact that a lot of paid links exist in these sections of sites and that getting non-natural links from inside content is much more difficult.

#6 - Keywords in HTML Text Pass More Value than those in Alt Attributes of Linked Images

This one isn’t covered in any papers or patents (to my knowledge), but our testing has shown (and testing from others supports) that anchor text carried through HTML is somehow more potent or valued than that from alt attributes in image links. That’s not to say we should run out and ditch image links, badges or the alt attributes they carry. It’s just good to be aware that Google seems to have this bias (perhaps it will be temporary).

#7 - Links from More Important, Popular, Trusted Sites Pass More Value (even from less important pages)

We’ve likely all experienced the sinking feeling of seeing a competitor with fewer and what appear to be links from less powerful pages outranking us. This may be somewhat explained by the value of a domain to pass along value via a link that may not be fully reflected in page-level metrics. It can also help search engines to combat spam and provide more trusted results in general. If links from sites that rarely link to junk pass significanly more than those whose link practices and impact on the web overall may be questionable, they can much better control quality.

NOTE: Having trouble digging up the papers/patents on this one; I’ll try to revisit and find them tomorrow.

#8 - Links Contained Within NoScript Tags Pass Lower (and Possibly No) Value

Over the years, this phenomenon has been reported and contradicted numerous times. Our testing certainly suggested that noscript links don’t pass value, but that may not be true in every case. It is why we included the ability to filter noscript in Linkscape, but the quantity of links overall on the web inside this tag is quite small.

#9 - A Burst of New Links May Enable a Document to Overcome “Stronger” Competition Temporarily (or in Perpetuity)

Apart from even Google’s QDF (Query Deserves Freshness) algorithm, which may value more recently created and linked-to content in certain “trending” searches, it appears that the engine also uses temporal signals around linking to both evaluate spam/manipulation and reward pages that earn a large number of references in a short period of time. Google’s patent on Information Retrieval Based on Historical Data first suggested the use of temporal data, but the model has likely seen revision and refinement since that time.

#10 - Pages that Link to WebSpam May Devalue the Other Links they Host

I was fascinated to see Richard Baxter’s own experiments on this in his post - Google Page Level Penalty for Comment Spam. Since then, I’ve been keeping an eye on some popular, valuable blog posts that have received similarly overwhelming spam and, low and behold, the pattern seems verifiable. Webmasters would be wise to keep up to date on their spam removal to avoid arousing potential ranking penalties from Google (and the possible loss of link value).

---

But what about classic “PageRank" - the score of which we get a tiny inkling from the Google toolbar’s green pixels? I’d actually surmise that while many (possibly all) of the features about links discussed above make their way into the ranking process, PR has stayed relatively unchanged from its classic concept. My reasoning? SEOmoz’s own mozRank, which correlates remarkably well  with toolbar PR (off on avg. by 0.42 w/ 0.25 being “perfect” due to the 2 extra significant digits we display) and is calculated with very similar intuition to that of the original PageRank paper. If I had to guess (and I really am guessing), I’d say that Google’s maintained classic PR because they find the simple heuristic useful for some tasks (likely including crawling/indexation priority), and have adopted many more metrics to fit into the algorithmic pie.

As always, we’re looking forward to your feedback and hope that some of you will take up the challenge to test these on your own sites or inside test environments and report back with your findings.

p.s. I finished this post at nearly 3am (and have a board meeting tomorrow), so please excuse the odd typo or missed link. Hopefully Jen will take a red pen to this in the morning!

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Read Original: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/seomoz/~3/1W1r95HCxaI/10-illustrations-on-search-engines-valuation-of-links

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From: searchenginewatch.com

Magnetic announced integration of its search data marketplace with leading ad networks on Monday. This partnership will enable display ad buyers on the Collective, interCLICK and Undertone ad networks to retarget users of second-tier search engines who have performed a search in the last 30 days.

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Read Original: http://feeds.searchenginewatch.com/~r/sewblog/~3/mHGg2zIRnz4/100526-165533

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From: searchenginewatch.com

Watch that space. Anchor Intelligence, the provider of traffic quality solutions, is a gem to keep an eye on in the future.

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Read Original: http://feeds.searchenginewatch.com/~r/sewblog/~3/eUJroKeHgDk/100526-120814

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From: sitepronews.com

Writing a keyword rich article title is beneficial to your article, but is it possible to balance SEO article writing with writing that also appeals to human readers?
Certainly!
If you follow the techniques and advice in this article, you will be creating titles that make sense, grab the reader’s attention, and accurately portray what your article [...]

Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources

SEO Article Writing: How To Write A Keyword Rich Title

Read Original: http://www.sitepronews.com/2010/05/26/seo-article-writing-how-to-write-a-keyword-rich-title/

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From: searchenginewatch.com

BlogWire has launched the public beta version of HealthyBlogging.net. Yes, obviously, the new community is designed to help the PR and marketers industries promote their news and products to bloggers who write on health/healthy/green living topics.

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Read Original: http://feeds.searchenginewatch.com/~r/sewblog/~3/HzI9tsVoehg/100526-113307

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From: sitepronews.com

SEO consulting has become an integral part of Internet marketing success in today’s saturated web world. As corporate America inevitably shifts to a focus on online information and transactions, the reputation of a company can be made or broken in a matter of mouse clicks. As a result, the importance of being “found” online and [...]

Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources

Understanding the Many Facets of SEO Consulting

Read Original: http://www.sitepronews.com/2010/05/26/understanding-the-many-facets-of-seo-consulting/

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From: searchenginewatch.com

Market research firm comScore has unveiled its new generation ad ROI metrics weapon, calling it Smart Control. Here’s why.

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Read Original: http://feeds.searchenginewatch.com/~r/sewblog/~3/HPZrsmjdBQY/100526-111804

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From: google.com

Posted by jennita

Disclaimer: You will not learn any SEO, CRO, SMO or Analytics in this post. You may however feel the urge to watch the Wizard of Oz and eat crepes.

As you may have heard, SEOmoz has moved offices (woo hoo!). So we thought it would be nice to take you on a tour of our new digs. We’re quite proud that we outgrew the old space and needed a bigger place. Please follow along as I take you on a tour of the new office.

We are just a block from Pike Place Market, and within walking distance of Bell Harbor which is where SMX Advanced is held. We have the entire top floor! But let’s look at the good stuff… the inside.

First, as you first step out of the elevator you may think, “Wow, this really is a cool space.” But then…

You look down at your feet and exclaim, “Wow! I feel the need to breakdance!” [busts a move]

Next, as you make your way through the Operations department (who used to sit in a back, very dark corner) you too will be in complete shock at the sunny, openness of the space. Just like this guy:

Holy big, bright awesome room batman! Yes we even have a meeting room called the Batcave [see below]. (Ok, the bat cave is a bright, sunny, room that does not resemble a bat cave in any way. But that’s ok, cuz we have a bat cave. damnit.)

Oh wait. What’s this?! Crepes, yes my friends. On “opening day” at the new moz office we had a crepe guy! “I’ll have one with nutella, strawberries and bananas please.”

But seriously, we really have a lot of work to do. See, we’re working! Well at least Ben Huff is (the dude on the left).

Nevermind. Oh look we also had fruit (and mimosas ehem), we’re not complete pigs you know. Remember Phil [dude on the left]? Last time you saw him he was wearing his PJs. #justsayin

Have I mentioned that Rand has an office… with a door… that he can close! This probably isn’t overly exciting for most people but for the developers who used to sit right outside his office (aka his desk) and listened to every phone call, webinar and Whiteboard Friday… let me tell ya, they’re cheering today.

Plus we have 5 meeting rooms now. We used to have one. Again… now there are F I V E. I was late to a meeting earlier because I couldn’t find Thunderdome. I thought it was in Spider Skull Island, but apparently those are different. heh. Boys named our meeting rooms if you hadn’t guessed that already.

 

Rand in sheer shock:

Plus really, who could resist having this right outside the window:

The only downside to getting a new office is that now we all have this silly dress code.

Wonder Twins… Activate!

If you’re going to be in town for SMX Advanced, we’ll have a few office tours set up. The dates/times will be announced soon, and we’d love to show you around in person!

Thanks to my husband, Rudy Lopez who provided the amazing photos (all except the obvious snapshots).

 

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Read Original: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/seomoz/~3/qWzLfW7dmCo/the-seomoz-office-gets-a-new-do

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From: searchenginewatch.com

The best presentation at last week’s Social Media Strategies conference in Santa Clara, CA, was the keynote by John Squire, Chief Strategy Officer of Coremetrics, on measuring ROI in Social Media. He presented the latest research into social media and a quick case study from Seton Hall University.

Click to read the rest of this post...

Read Original: http://feeds.searchenginewatch.com/~r/sewblog/~3/tn5VZat8be0/100526-073120

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From: verticalmeasures.com

Most of you are familiar with SEObook, launched in 2003, one of the oldest standing SEO sites that is still regularly updated. The site originally was designed as a blog that offered DIY SEO tips and helped sell the leading SEO ebook, which had sold well over $1,000,000 in volume. This week, I have the [...] Related posts:

1. Link Building Tool Interview with Rand Fishkin
2. Content Marketing Interview with Jon Wuebben
3. Content Marketing Interview with Joe Pulizzi

Read Original: http://www.verticalmeasures.com/expert-interviews/link-building-tools-interview-with-aaron-wall/

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From: google.com

The old economy demanded a flurry of hard work, obsessive focus, and a charrette before launch. Launches were expensive and rare, and managers and co-workers would push to get everything just right before hitting the big red button to announce, ship and launch. The attention demanded by this scarcity raised the game, overcame fear and pushed things from one level to another.

A big reason for the push is to ameliorate risk. Launching is risky business, and one way to diminish that risk in a world of scarcity and market noise is to go big. And then big becomes a habit.

In the new economy, in the economy of launch and learn and revise, some of the POP! is replaced by Pfffft. Because there’s no big launch, we get more easily distracted, we don’t push ourselves as hard, we don’t treat that first day as as big a deal. There’s less risk because you’re going straight to your tribe, not hoping for a cultural mass-market sensation every time.

The thing is, if I had a book launch party every time I posted on this blog, the cheese and crackers would kill me. And the idea of a gold master in software development is now an antique. There’s a paradox here:

The good news is that fewer good ideas get killed for feeling too risky.

The bad news is that sometimes we trade in the important for the trivial.

The punchline is that some artificial pop might be required. Just because it’s easy to ship doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push yourself. The art is in ignoring the fear that pushes you to polish too much...

Read Original: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/sethsmainblog/~3/yXVnrii8Bgo/pfffft-the-danger-of-premature-shipment.html

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