SEO
Evolving SERPs With The Click of Your Mouse
May 7, 2012 | 
Author 
It’s no secret that over the last couple years Google has put a heavy emphasis on user based metrics when calculating rankings. From old twitter real time results, to indexing Facebook data, and personalized SERPs, Google has long wanted to make the transition from heavy content and link based metrics to morphing (at least a little bit) to a user-specific metric index.
It’s clear that in the last year Google has kicked social into high gear, and there’s no sign of the Mountain View giant slowing down their social driven indexation initiative. And why should they, from the early days of accounting for link algorithmic data, to having a larger than life index, Google has set the tone in all search engine best practices.
Last week Google released the updates that went live in the month of April. Among these was an update that focusus solely on user based metrics.
“More authoritative results. We’ve tweaked a signal we use to surface more authoritative content.”
Like the Venice update, it’s my belief that this one will pass under the radar as well…at least for the time being.
In the next year to year and half, Google will likely be taking into account author markup in the algorithms. This update could be the first building block in implementing these changes. It’s no secret that author markup increases traffic and background trust-ability, but until now there’s never been a significant change to the algorithms that suggests that power has been given to the individual and the domain.
When you combine author markup with “behavioral metrics” such as bounce rate and indexation speed via social signals, you are left with significant factors that all but tell you what to do for future SERP domination.
Whether we agree with the current algo updates or not, Google still has 60% market share, so we probably have to play the hand that the big G deals us.
Update 5-10-12: David Angotti, business/SEM heavy hitter, mentioned on SEJ that Google seems to be testing the Knowledge Graph that it mentioned would be coming to a SERP near you earlier this year. If so, this represents a large change to the search world, and the internet as a whole. The knowledge graph uses a significant amount of semantic data to help populate the SERPs as opposed to relying so heavily on keyword data.
Google Search Engine Algorithm Update “Penguin” Will Target Webspam
The most common search spam tactics are keyword-stuffing web content, having intentional duplicate content throughout a site, and using black-hat linking schemes. The fight against such tactics is not new as Google has fought these spamming methods for years. The update is more of a roll-out of new and improved ways of detecting such practices for those who continue to try and find ways around the best practices.
To clarify even further, the “over-optimization” update which set the SEO companies abuzz is in fact this “webspam algorithm update.” A quote by Matt Cutts, head of Google’s Webspam team, where he described the update as targeting “over-optimization” was admittedly a poor description of the now live spam update. The update encourages the white-hat efforts of SEO firms like Advice Interactive Group and our clients need not pay heed to any other negative buzz about over-optimization and how it might affect their sites.
As always, we at Advice Interactive are committed to the best practices Google and the other search engines require and we keep up-to-date with current quality guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Dallas SEO firm at 877-692-7250.
Posted in Internet Marketing, Jeffrey Powell, SEO | 
Tags: algorithm update, google update, over optimization penalty, panda, penguin update, webspam | 
No Comments »
Google Over Optimization Penalty – Crisis Averted
I’m not sure if you know this but Google implemented an update to their algorithm today, starting around 11 am CST.
Stop Spam
This is the change that Matt Cutts from Google warned us all about. This new change will penalize sites that “over optimize”, use unnatural link building tactics and those who buy links. Now, normally when Google updates their algorithm, we hold our breath and watch the SERPs for our clients hoping that we don’t lose any ground as a result of the updates. I’m not saying we are nervous at all about our national & local SEO tactics for our clients. I’m just saying that Google’s intentions are not always clear.
Today was a bit more hair-raising than most Google updates. Today, during the updates, our own site dropped from our #1/#2 spot for our favorite keyword terms to Page 12 and bounced around the SERPS all day. I’m saying we went from the top of page 1 to the middle of page 12 and everywhere in between before the day was done…that’s terrible for an Internet marketing company! Just yesterday, we told a potential client not to even consider a SEO company that doesn’t show up at the top of the search results for their local area and keywords, and here we were a day later completely off the map. Not only were we hurt, but the update affected a few of our clients’ ratings, as well.
As you might imagine, we were not about to stand for this! We have always prided ourselves on our own refusal to even consider SEO tactics that are not in the spirit of Google Best Practices. We knew that this momentary drop in the rankings would be very short term and, after working all day to find a way back to our normal position of prominence, we, and our clients who were affected by the change, were back at the top of page 1 and stronger than ever.
The moral of this story is that Advice Interactive Group, while just as vulnerable to Google’s whims as everyone else, is dedicated to getting searchers the best results they can get. Whether they need a local plumber, an attorney, gutters for their home or the best SEO Company to represent their business online, we know we’re doing it right for our clients and for Google.
Google Places Questions Answered In Hangout
Google Hangout Gives Advice
Insider Track Direct From Google Hangout
On April 4th 2012, leaders of Advice Interactive Group joined the main Google Places Team, at a Google Hangout streamed LIVE from Google headquarters. Joining us from Google were Joel Headley and Vanessa Scheider via real time live video discussion.
The discussion allowed us to ask Google direct questions about Google, Google Places, and the Google Places search strategy that was very informative. Being able to join these types of sessions keeps us at Advice ahead of the game and you ahead of the competition.
Even though there were dozens of lessons to be learned, some “Insider Information” we took away from this Hangout is as follows:
- We believe that Google’s contractors or phone call check up staff is using Google’s own Google Earth product to view the type of area where you have your business address. If the address looks like it’s in a residential location, the recommendation is to hide the address. No questions.
- We believe that Google+ Profile Pages and Google+ for Business Pages are becoming a very authoritative social signal to Google, especially if you have you have multiple business locations.
Here is an example of our Advice Interactive Google+ Page.
What do you need to do?
- Look up your Google Places listing. This is exactly what the Google representative sees when they look at your address. Go to Google Maps and enter your address, then zoom in to the place marker. Here is a quick tutorial on Google Maps (tell people to mute sound if possible) . As you can see, this random example shows you how a business location can look to any user that uses Google Maps or Google Earth to find a particular business.
Search engines are all about connecting their user to the most relevant search results. As the Google Places algorithm evolves, it seems as though search engines are shifting to rely more on “social signals” rather than “backlinking signals.” Recently Google de-indexed 100,000,000 million private blog networks that were known for poor content and were part of a paid linking “scheme.” The point is social aspects help build quality Places rankings.
We recently posted a blog on how Google+ Page posts are showing ranking on Page 1. If you do not already have an optimized Google+ for Business Page, you need one now. Here is a link to create your own Google+ Business Page or we can do it for you.
We know that Google is trying to tie in all their products into 1 hub and we firmly believe that in order to truly capture the “new” type of local rankings, each business needs to have a Google+ Profile Page and a Google+ Business Page. The profile page is for the owner and +Business Page is for the business brand.
Also, Google suggested the types of images you upload to your Google Places page be actual pictures of your business location, inside and out. Even though it does not seem to have any ranking reward, it was mentioned on the Google Hangout by Google representatives. If your Places page ever passes through the filter and draws a flag, when a Google rep does the actual “spot check” and sees your actual business photos, you are more than likely going to pass the test and will not risk having your listing removed. It was also suggested you have actual business photos posted to one of their photo tagging sites, like Panoramio, as this reinforces the importance of “social signals.”
We at Advice Interactive believe in going the extra mile – especially when the internal product is part of the bigger picture. Everyone knows Google has the lion share of searches and if they give us “signals” on how to prove your relevancy and legitimacy in a user search, we should comply.
Posted in Google Places, Google Plus, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, Social Media | Tags: google hangout, Google Places, google+, google+ business pages, page 1 rank, seo, serp | No Comments »
What The Hunger Games Can Teach Us About SEO: Part 2
In my previous post, What The Hunger Games Can Teach Us About SEO: Part 1, I discussed the age-old dilemma of book-to-screen adaptations. The movie adaptation usually leaves “details and story elements” out from the book leaving you with a less than stellar experience much like black hat SEO companies can only offer you a quick-fix Page Rank instead of the long-tail success that an above-the-fold company like Advice Interactive Group can offer.
In Part 2, I want to examine the choices of the young adult heroine in The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, and how they can be object lessons for choosing a high caliber Internet marketing and SEO company.
Object Lesson 1: Find A Bow and Arrows
Does your SEO firm know what they’re good at and does it play to those strengths? Katniss Everdeen is a dead shot with a bow and arrow. Upon entering the fight-to-the-death arena with nothing and acting against the advice of her mentor, she runs to the center of the starting circle after a bow and arrow and almost loses her life in the opening seconds of the battle. Katniss knows the bow is her only chance of survival.
In my previous post, I stated that search engine optimization cannot be sold in a box. On the surface, standing on a single strength sounds contradictory and much like selling one thing in a box. However, my point about SEO-in-a-Box is that good SEO is not a one size fits all formula. Search engine ranking isn’t a checklist of services (wrapped up and sold in a box) resulting in magical Page 1 rankings.
A company should know what it is good at and much like Katniss and her bow, do everything it can to use its strengths as an advantage. It may be the difference between success and failure. Advice Interactive Group’s “bow and arrows” are web design and original optimized content. These two things set our Dallas SEO Firm above the competition where “Content is King.”
Object Lesson 2: Form Smart Alliances
Does your SEO service form quantity alliances or quality alliances? Katniss forms an alliance with the smallest player in the game because the skills and information this player possesses is of great advantage to her. Together they use their complementary strengths to distract the larger (in numbers, size, and experience) group of players to pull off a devastating blow (literally) to their supply stash.
Over the last year, Advice Interactive has formed quality alliances with exceptional local directory submission professionals, Google Places optimization experts, and developed the Local Search Tool which gives existing businesses a local visibility snapshot of their online presence. These tools and experts are Advice Interactive properties formed with the customer and quality service in mind. Advice forms strategic alliances to better improve our product so that yours improves in turn.
Object Lesson 3: Don’t Let the Capitol Change You
Does your SEO company stand steady in their work and best practices? Miss Everdeen and her male counterpart from District 12 discuss not letting the ominous few (those in the Capitol) who ultimately decide the course of their lives change who they are no matter what is imposed upon them.
Despite what best practices Google promises will rank, there is a tipping point where SEO is ultimately in the search engine’s hands. To extrapolate further, even if you Page 1 Rank, the decision to click on a link ultimately falls to the end-user. Google can act as the Capitol at times and often makes decisions affecting the course of our searches and SEO efforts. The algorithm is constantly changing giving more weight to fresh blog content one month and quality on-page links the next. How does an SEO firm keep up without changing who they are or what they do well?
There is a difference between changing your company strategy and adapting to the changing environment. Advice Interactive Group offers on-going SEO services to help keep your business’s online presence cutting edge. On-going SEO allows Advice to stay true to the core values of quality original content and individualized design and strategy while allowing us to adapt to the changes in search engine policies. Internet marketing is a multi-pronged approach and a simple website from your ISP or a free service can promise ranking results; but the truth is without on-going SEO, your site will fall into search result oblivion fast.
A Compelling Story
Advice Interactive Group is the original story or book that doesn’t leave out the nuances or details and doesn’t cut important plot points or sell characters short. Advice Interactive is a full-service Internet marketing firm that takes pride in its core competencies, smart alliances and partnerships, and offers on-going services to stay on top of the ever changing landscape of search engine optimization with steady balance. Contact Advice for web design, internet marketing, on-going SEO, local directory submissions, reputation management, and more at 214-310-1356.
Happy Search Engine Optimization! And may the search results be ever in your favor!
What The Hunger Games Can Teach Us About SEO: Part 1
If you’re a reader like me, I’m sure you’ve experienced the book-to-movie adaptation dilemma. I read The Hunger Games after my wife devoured the whole trilogy. I knew there was a movie in the works and I waited until closer to the release date before I read the young adult phenomenon. After all, this is no Twilight. The Hunger Games is a story about a dystopian society who yearly turns teenagers into murderers by forcing them into a closed arena in a winner (read survivor) takes all situation. Having read the book, I was among the many who saw the movie this past opening weekend. So what does The Hunger Games have to do with search engine optimization companies?
As I left the theater thinking about all the differences, good and bad, between the film adaptation and the book, I was faced with the book-to-movie dilemma. Conclusions in these situations always seem to be that the book was better as I hear statements such as, “The book had so many more details and story elements that the movie left out,” or “They took so many shortcuts that the book didn’t take.” Oddly enough on the drive home, my brain wanted to draw a loose comparison from this dilemma to what I know Advice Interactive Group does well compared to other SEO companies. Advice Interactive is the book. The quick-fix SEO companies are the book-to-movie adaptation.
Since Advice is an Internet marketing company, I often come across these quick-rank SEO sites when doing quality keyword research for our clients. The most recent instance I found was last week when researching the hail damage in an area of Texas for a roofing company. This is why my mind was so quick to think about different types of SEO companies and the image below shows the quick-rank site. As you can tell, this is pretty much directory listing spam.
Do these sites rank? Yes. If it didn’t rank, I wouldn’t have come across it. However, it won’t rank for long as quality content will always outlast black hat SEO. There are no shortcuts to SEO that produce long-tail results. While sites like the above spam-laden directory listing seem to make liars out of above-grade SEO companies, there is truth to what the large search engines tell us about this content being pushed down in favor of quality content when you examine results over the long haul. The SEO approach in the image above is the movie adaptation that leaves “details and story elements” out from the book you so dearly love. The movie can be entertaining, but it will never have the long-lasting appeal of the story as you read it the first time.
Advice Interactive doesn’t take shortcuts when it comes to SEO and does not believe Page Rank can be sold in a box. Advice also does not believe search engine optimization is finished upon launch of a new website. Our Dallas SEO Firm works with our clients on an individual basis to determine what each company needs and what can be done for Page Rank improvement. Our success is dependent on our detailed, individualized, and multi-level approach to on-going SEO. Trust Advice Interactive Group for your business’s web design, internet marketing, local search engine optimization, reputation management, and local directory listing services. Call us at 214-310-1356 for more information.
**In Part 2 of What The Hunger Games Can Teach Us About SEO, I will take a closer look at the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, and how her choices in the arena compare to choosing an above-the-fold local SEO company. Keep watching.
Local Site Submit Named Best Local Business Directory Service for 2012
Advice Interactive Group’s Local business directory service, Local Site Submit was named the 2012 Best Local Business Directory service by TopTenREVIEWS™. Setting the local site submission company apart from the competition was the thorough and exhaustive feature set offered on their yearly priced service along with fast manual submissions and exceptional service.
Local Site Submit manually adds a company’s information to local directories like Google Maps, Yahoo! Local and Bing Local. Local business directory listings help companies become the first search engine result because of their thorough submission to the Top 100 directories, social media sites, and other multimedia channels.
Local Site Submit was praised for their “extra mile” features like videos and blogs that the TopTenREVIEWS™ article states other directory service companies don’t offer as a base. The local business directory review article also states:
“Local Site Submit is the best local business directory service we reviewed. Their ability to add a large amount of information, including images, videos and blogs, within just a few days is amazing. We found that no matter whether you have a small business you’re trying to get off the ground or have been around for quite some time, Local Site Submit has the ability to improve the amount of traffic to your door within just a few weeks. Their website is very easy to use and provides all of the information you need on every page. If you want to grow as a business and be recognized online, this is the company for you.”
Visit the Local Site Submit website at www.localsitesubmit.com.
Dallas TX Roofer Launches New Website From Dallas SEO Firm
Dallas TX roofer Buckaroo Roofing has teamed with Dallas SEO firm Advice Interactive Group to increase online presence and launch a new website for residential Dallas roof repair and other roofing services. A recent Dallas roofing press release states:
Buckaroo Roofing knows quality. With almost 30 years of service industry experience, the Dallas roofing contractors are committed to great service and quality repairs. The Dallas roofer is family owned and operated and serves the Dallas and surrounding areas including the northern Denton and Collin County’s. Quality craftsmanship and punctual roofing service are the foundation for a great reputation and success. Buckaroo Roofing is your choice for Dallas or Tarrant County roofing repair.
The website from the Dallas internet marketing company features detailed information on roofing services including roof repair, online appointment scheduling, an online blog and various social media platforms and more. Call Buckaroo Roofing to schedule a roofing repair at 214.989.4917 or visit them online.
Arlington TX Dentist Launches New Website From Dallas SEO Firm
Arlington TX dentist Ted French, DDS has teamed with Dallas SEO firm Advice Interactive Group to increase his online presence and launch a new website helping provide a complete range of dental care services. A recent Arlington dental care press release states:
Ted French, D.D.S. specializes in cosmetic and periodontal dentistry while offering a comprehensive selection of dental services for family or single patients in Arlington TX. For more than 25 years, Dr. French has made patients happy by instilling confidence, making them feel comfortable, as well as pleased with the results of their dental care.
Dr. Ted French, D.D.S. is the first FDA certified dentist in Texas and was the founding president of The American Dental Review. Dr. French offers general dentistry, cosmetic implants, whitening, laser surgery, periodontal care, oral hygiene and more. The Arlington TX dentist also uses the latest dental techniques and modern technologies such as non-surgical laser treatment, intra-oral cameras, and computer assisted dental restoration. The years of experience caring for patients of all ages with a wide range of proven treatments and advanced dental technologies make Dr. French a smart choice in dental care for you or your family.
The website from the Dallas internet marketing company features a complete redesign including online appointment scheduling, downloadable patient information forms to fill out and complete before your visit, dental resources, an online blog and various social media platforms and more. Call Ted French, DDS to schedule an appointment at 817.461.2843 or visit them online.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Columbus Launches New Website From Dallas SEO Firm
Your Columbus OH plumbing company has teamed with Dallas SEO firm Advice Interactive Group to increase their online presence to better serve those looking for professional plumbing service including new plumbing installation, plumbing repair and maintenance. A recent Columbus plumber website launch press release states:
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Columbus specializes in prompt, professional plumbing service including new plumbing installation, plumbing repair and maintenance. Fast and on-time is part of the Ben Franklin motto, “If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay!”™ Employing the most qualified technicians in the industry, our superior work will earn your trust and repeat business.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Columbus specializes in drain cleaning, water filtration, leak detection, sewer line repair, water line repair and installation, slab and gas leaks, and other plumbing services. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee that includes straightforward pricing, punctual technicians, reliable plumbing repair, and courteous, pre-screened plumbers. Columbus Ohio plumber also focuses on kitchen and bath plumbing remodeling installing traditional tank water heaters along with energy efficient tankless water heaters.
The website from the Dallas internet marketing company features a complete redesign including emergency service scheduling, emergency push-to-talk calling, an online blog and various social media platforms, YouTube videos, discount plumbing coupons and more. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Columbus is the reliable choice for plumbing in the Columbus metro. Visit the new website to schedule service or call 614-344-4325.