Yahoo! Search blog: New Tools in the Toolbar
Published by Picturesque on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 12:11 PM.
Yahoo! released their new toolbar a few days ago for both IE and Firefox. We applaud them for supporting both browsers. The features include tabbed browsing for IE (Firefox already has it) and improved Anti Spy technology. Comments on the net have been mostly positive and many claim the Anti Spy stuff uses less resources than similar tools. After viewing a lot of positive comments, we felt it safe to post it here. Yahoo! Search blog: New Tools in the Toolbar
Link Building with Press Release - Cre8asite Forums
Published by Picturesque on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 7:45 PM.
Here's a nice forum topic with some excellent replies (and the usual ho-hum). It discusses the importance of press releases and emphasises having a content rich press release over one with the usual blah blah. A good read to help keep you on course. Link Building with Press Release - Cre8asite Forums
Google Finance Released
Published by Picturesque on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 8:22 AM.
Another Google rumor is confirmed. We now have a beta of Google Finance at Google Finance.
High Rankings® Search Engine Optimization Forum"'>Cold Callin' Slick Talkin' -> High Rankings® Search Engine Optimization Forum
Published by Picturesque on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 4:07 PM.
Would you please pass the snake oil? Here's one from the "I can't take no for an answer" department. SEO scammers are calling people stating that they are about to be banned by Google and that they need to use the caller's services to avoid the dreaded "banning". Of course they aren't telling the truth, as you would have guessed, but their marking tactics afterwards also leave a lot to be desired. Here's more about this scam at Cold Callin' Slick Talkin' -> High Rankings® Search Engine Optimization Forum.
KinderStart - A Case of Sour Grapes?
Published by Picturesque on at 4:02 PM.
KinderStart is suing Google because of a drop in rankings that they claim lost them a bundle of cash. They claim that their first constitutional rights have been violated and so on...blah, blah, blah. I didn't realize that an excellent Google ranking was a necessity for free speech, but apparently they think it is. Why don't they just put a cut finger in their chocolate shake and pour hot coffee in their lap like everyone else? Internet News Article | Reuters.com
SiteProNews: Tips for Getting Your Website Listed on Yahoo
Published by Picturesque on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 9:25 AM.
A great article for the better search engine. Why better? More Yahoo! searchers actually buy something compared to Google. SiteProNews: Tips for Getting Your Website Listed on Yahoo
Google AdWords Introduces a Quick Start
Published by Picturesque on at 9:24 AM.
In order to entice the less savy user, Google has a quick starter method of signing up for AdWords. While I applaud efforts to make things easier for users, this can only serve to harm people in advertising. The "I'm not going to read the manual I want it now" mentality will sign up, waste a lot of money on their ads and get little in return. You have to read and learn how this thing works if you want to be successful...or hire someone to do it for you. While the quick start is a great idea, it's only great if you also take the time to learn the ins and outs of using AdWords. Read a comparison of the new verses the old at Google AdWords Help Center: How do the Starter Edition and Standard Edition compare?.
What To Do If You're The SEO Client Nobody Wants by Benjamin Pfeiffer
Published by Picturesque on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 10:52 AM.
This is reality. I got a big chuckle out of this very true article as I went back down memory lane and thought of past customers and those I wanted to go away before they became a customer. It's true that not all people can become a customer of SEO and SEM services until they change. Like the author of this article, I like to help people as well, but there is a point where you have to charge for things to pay the bills. And, if you aren't willing to listen to a professional's advice and get rid of the junior high aged webmaster, you ain't never going to succeed no matter how many search professionals you use. What To Do If You're The SEO Client Nobody Wants by Benjamin Pfeiffer.
Live Support: Chatting Your Way to Success
Published by Picturesque on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 4:42 PM.
No doubt you've seen those live chat buttons on various sites. They are becoming more and more popular as a way to instantly communicate with surfers. It's a great tool for those on dialup and one phone line, but also for those who would rather chat than have real communication with a human voice. Here's a great article on the topic that will help you understand live chat....Live Support: Chatting Your Way to Success.
SketchUp Aquired By Google
Published by Picturesque on at 4:36 PM.
They just bought a web based wordprocessor and now they purchased 3D sketching software. The buyouts continue at Google as they snap up companies all over the fruited plains. SketchUp Home.
3DSeek: By Doodling - Draw Your Search
Published by Picturesque on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 9:27 AM.
Now you can draw your own conclusions. 3D-Seek is a search engine that lets you draw what you are searching for. Developed for engineers and manufacturers, this search may also be useful for the average Joe especially as it continues to improve. Get your #2 pencils sharpended and head over to 3DSeek: By Doodling.
Writely - The Web Word Processor Aquired by Google
Published by Picturesque on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 3:21 PM.
Writely is an online word processor that uploads from Word, publishes on the Internet and much more. Why would Google want them? Google plans to have us all store all our data online sparing our hard drives from needless data collection. Check out writely at Writely - The Web Word Processor.
Which Page Improvements Boost Response?
Published by Picturesque on Thursday, March 09, 2006 at 2:46 PM.
iMedia Connection has some great information on which site changes generate the most revenue increase. Not suprisingly, optimizing the web site landing pages came out the winner. After all, getting people to a web site isn't the biggest issue, it's keeping them there. Second is improving PPC ad copy, also not a huge suprise. Read more at iMedia Connection: Which Page Improvements Boost Response?.
Inside AdSense: Why the lower eCPM?
Published by Picturesque on at 2:43 PM.
For those using Google AdSense, here's a great bit of information on Google's blog. Inside AdSense: Why the lower eCPM?
Google AdWords Launches Demographic Site Targeting
Published by Picturesque on at 2:40 PM.
Just after the dust settled on MSN announcing their demographic statistics feature, Google steals the thunder and introduces one of their own. The new demographics targeting is limited to site targeted campaigns and is US only for the time being. Read more at Google AdWords Launches Demographic Site Targeting.
Blinkx offers automatic search on desktop
Published by Picturesque on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 at 11:01 AM.
Search company Blinkx announced that they will be releasing a tool that will search the Internet for news, blogs, video, etc., automatically based on what you have opened on your desktop. Do privacy bells and whistles go off in your head? Still, it sounds like great technology and who doesn't like having the latest cool tool? Blinkx offers automatic search on desktop | Tech News on ZDNet
Windows Live Search Sample
Published by Picturesque on at 10:39 AM.
Microsoft appears to have released a new interface to their search service. It will not work on many non-MS browsers, something they'll need to fix to attract advertisers. Already they've improved some features since the initial release and it could prove to be an improvement from their current interface should the improvements continue. Try it at
Windows Live Search Sample.
Windows Live Search Sample.
The Ask.com Blog: Ask.com France Beta
Published by Picturesque on at 10:34 AM.
Now that the famous butler has retired to the land of legends, the new look update is on. France now has a new Ask beta search boasting a new method of doing things and some new features for subscribed users. Read more at their blog...The Ask.com Blog: Ask.com France: A Fresh Alternative.
MSN adCenter & Conversion Tracking Warnings In Firefox
Published by Picturesque on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 10:06 AM.
This is why we have Betas. Turns out that Miscrosoft's new PPC service won't work in Firefox, despite the fact that this browser has a 10% market share. To make things worse, it seems the tracking code will only function if IE6 is being used. Even IE7 won't work despite the fact that it is Microsoft's own product. This isn't new for Microsoft. Those that have paid for services on their business site know this already. Using Firefox results in multiple errors that won't allow you to even log in. I'd say it's intentional and very "short sited" (pun intentional). Read more at the SearchEngineWatch forum...MSN adCenter & Conversion Tracking Warnings In Firefox
Newsvine - Get Smarter Here
Published by Picturesque on Friday, March 03, 2006 at 3:24 PM.
Newsvine is now out of beta and ready for you to read news, comments and even post your comments. You've got to love their tagline "Get Smarter Here". It appears to be a great resource to not only read news, but also gather opinions on how people think about the news. Idiots and geniuses alike can comment making for humorous and insightful comments in one location. Newsvine - Get Smarter Here.
MSN adCenter Beta Sign Up
Published by Picturesque on at 3:18 PM.
Visit http://adcenter.msn.com/ on March 6th to sign up for the MSN adCenter Beta even without an invitation. 9am PST is the time they open the gates to the willing that want to test the waters while the rates are still low.
Google Sitemaps Adds New Features
Published by Picturesque on at 3:14 PM.
We use Google SiteMaps for the majority of our customers and it's nice to see that they are trying to improve their services. They are showing additional ranking information, top search queries from mobile devices (if your site is mobile enabled), and the ability to download information in an SV file. (What the heck is an SV file? Guess I'll find out.) Now to try these out and see how useful they are. For more info, visit Google Sitemaps - Welcome!.
New Yahoo! Home Page Test
Published by Picturesque on at 3:08 PM.
There are a number of screenshots running amuck showing a new Yahoo! search home page. Mostly good changes like putting the search box in a more visible location, shrinking the useless banner and giving us a cleaner interface. If it works as good as it looks, it's bound to be a popular change.
SES - Sessions Very Short Summary
Published by Picturesque on at 3:06 PM.
I've been following this conference from afar reading what various attendees are putting in their blogs as the highlights of the sessions, interviews and vendor booths. I can summarize what I've learned from reading these articles in a few short bullet points (reafirming the idea that such conferences are a waste of time and should be condensed).
- Create a site that appeals to your audience.
- Have great content appropriate for your audience.
- Don't forget that many people on the net are visually impaired. (Which is akin to knowing your audience).
- Don't break the search engine's rules.
- Watch your server stats and don't react without thinking things through.
- Spend time keeping your site relevant and update often.
Gee, all the advice that anyone would give even before attending. Granted, there are tidbits of info that you can gain by attending, but is it really worth days and hours of meetings to gain those tidbits. Maybe when I have a dozen employees doing my work for me.
- Create a site that appeals to your audience.
- Have great content appropriate for your audience.
- Don't forget that many people on the net are visually impaired. (Which is akin to knowing your audience).
- Don't break the search engine's rules.
- Watch your server stats and don't react without thinking things through.
- Spend time keeping your site relevant and update often.
Gee, all the advice that anyone would give even before attending. Granted, there are tidbits of info that you can gain by attending, but is it really worth days and hours of meetings to gain those tidbits. Maybe when I have a dozen employees doing my work for me.
