Watching the launch of Google+ from my relatively remote vantage point (something big always happens when I go on holiday), it seemed like an absolute masterstroke. The initially limited user base and subtly sporadic invite system got people clamouring for inclusion in the new social network platform. (more…)
Google Blog Posts
Lessons Learnt from the Launch of Google+, One Month On
Thursday, July 28th, 2011Featured, Google, Industry News
Advertising on Google Plus
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011Featured, Google, Industry News
Google developed Plus for a whole host of reasons, but the project’s roots can be traced back to the fact that they want to know more about their users.
They have been increasingly trying to bring social signals into their algorithm to assist in the ranking of websites in the search results. If you +1 a website, it’s a vote of confidence for that site. Much like a Tweet or a FB Like, you have manually reviewed the site in question and would share it with your friends. Google can collate this information and plug this into their algorithm; it all helps to ensure they know which sites should be at the top of the SERPs. (more…)
Attacking the Long Tail – Why FAQ’s Should Come From Your Customer Service Team and Your Copywriter
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
On more than one occasion recently, we have met with clients who have started to add FAQ content to their website. Not only is this content extremely useful from a usability point of view, but it can also help attract the long tail of search.
FAQ sections are useful areas of content on a website as they help to dispel any fears from a potential customer about delivery, warranties and the like. However, FAQ sections are rarely structured to what the potential customer might ask, and are generally tucked away in a content plan that lands on a copywriter’s desk. (more…)
Bye Buzz, Hello Google+
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011Featured, Google, Industry News
For a long time now Google has been trying to make a splash within the social arena to both steal some of Facebook and Twitter’s thunder, and to gain access to a goldmine of data with which to evolve it’s search algorithm. Only last year we were confronted with Google Buzz and the Twitter deal, giving Google access to the social holy grail - the Twitter fire hose.
While Buzz wasn’t a bad initial attempt, the reception was lukewarm and since the Twitter deal ended earlier this month, Google still has a massive social hole to fill. Welcome Google+ (Plus). (more…)
Global Google Algorithm Investigation – Data Request
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
If you are reading this then you have probably been selected to help take part in a study after you responded to a request for help, by either myself or Rand Fishkin of SEOMoz, on the collection of data from Google in your respective countries.
The data collection is to be used to look into the maturity of the Google algorithm across the world in different Google search engines. It is thought that the UK and US have the most up-to-date algorithms in Google.co.uk and Google.com respectively and are the first to experience any tests or changes Google make.
However, how different are the Google search engines in other countries and how should SEO strategies be altered to suit the different algorithms in different locations? (more…)
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