seo

The term "Google bowling" has been floating around the Internet for a while now. The practice is one of many that can be put under the heading of negative SEO, and while I'm not a proponent of these methods, they are worth noting:

Google bowling: As Google attempted to curb link-popularity exploitation by penalizing Web sites that purchase link ads across the entire site, it also created the environment in which Google bowling came to be. As a form of negative SEO (search engine optimization), certain unscrupulous entities began buying sitewide links for competitor sites, thus causing … Read more

Last year, The New York Times published an article called "This Boring Headline Is Written for Google," which focused on the effect search engines are having on journalistic writing. The primary focus was on the negative impact of "writing for machines" and the corresponding loss of creativity such an endeavor entails.

What always amazes me is the fear and anger that many writers express about writing with search engines in mind. Just in using the phrase "writing for machines" they create among themselves a rather Orwellian hysteria, but it is only just that: hysterics. … Read more

Knowledge is power, though in this industry, just trying to keep up with the knowledge and constant change is a feat in itself. Social, local, mobile, SEO, PPC, and e-commerce...can you keep up?

The online industry has a number of big shows that demand attention, but if you've been unable to manage the time or the expense, there's a show this week (October 9 to 11) that has virtually no excuses for not attending.

eComXpo is a virtual trade show for e-commerce marketers, held twice a year online--and it's free. Not only do you get an … Read more

Oftentimes, SEO is much easier to accomplish within a small company. It's hard to be nimble when working at a behemoth.

When I talk about items like title tags, URL structures, meta descriptions and canonical URLs, it sounds all quite logical and seems prudent to implement, doesn't it? Well imagine, what it must take for a company like IBM--whose myriad divisions and business units span 90 countries and over 30 languages--to make even the slightest SEO enhancement.

It's a big deal.

To find out more about what it's like to chip away at SEO (search engine … Read more

When you work in, on, or around the Web, you tend to collect tools. A site here, a toolbar there...you really can't help it. Here's a total must-have for your SEO toolbox...but don't tell the developers and designers.

The Web Developer extension from Chris Pederick is a hugely popular and useful tool for Web developers and designers everywhere. But this browser add-on is an equal-opportunity tool that should be in every SEO's toolbox as well for quick snapshot views and reviews of sites. It will require the use of one of the following browsers, … Read more

At the BlogHer 2007 Conference in Chicago last weekend, I was a proud dad, on-hand to support my daughter, Chloe, who presented her "Ultimate Neopets Cheats Blog" success story to a packed audience of bloggers, online marketers, and SEO enthusiasts attending the Professional Blogging: Ways and Means session.

Check out some highlights of Chloe's presentation at the BlogHer Conference 2007...

In early 2006, when Chloe was 15, she decided to devote a blog to Neopets, a virtual pets site popular with kids the world over. After performing some keyword research through WordTracker and Google Suggest for her … Read more

I'm an evangelist when it comes to blogging as a way to build brand, thought leadership status, and links. Heck, I've written a lot about making blogging pay off in terms of SEO (here, here and here, for example). However, my enthusiasm does not carry over to spamming the blogosphere. Not through comments. Not through trackbacks. Not through spam blogs (a.k.a. splogs). Not through payola.

There are firms out there that hang out their shingle as "blog marketing firms," that take your money and promise many links from other blogs to your site or … Read more

Danny Sullivan's excellent SMX Advanced conference took place last month. Plenty of good stuff was shared. Unfortunately the very best stuff -- the true secrets -- were embargoed. Until this week, that is! The "Give It Up" panel session exploded into the blogosphere; a few examples include Lisa Barone (thanks Lisa for declaring me the "Give It Up Most Valuable Player"!), Jim Hedger, Tamar Weinberg and Jordan McCollum.

One the secrets I shared in the session I wrote up into an article, published today on Search Engine Land: Deconstructing Grouped Google Results. In the article … Read more

Wikipedians don't like editors who are disingenuous. Playing games within Wikipedia in the hopes of not getting caught is just asking for trouble. I was reminded of this fact while reading the Search Engine Land article What To Do When Your Company Wikipedia Page Goes Bad. On the surface, Jessica, SEO at Business.com, offers some no-nonsense advice on removing or minimizing negative material on Wikipedia. But be advised that you are entering into dangerous territory if you employ Jessica's tips. Read the comments and you'll find some very negative reactions from respected Wikipedians JEHochman and Durova … Read more