Digital Communique, Exploring Web Content and the World of Search Engines

198 Days

2006-04-29T20:50:00.000-04:00

I just pulled into this blog-- checked into my Technorati link and realized it's been 198 days since my last post. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned....it's been 198 days since I have done this blog justice."

I read a blog by an SEO recently that said--- don't blog when you're getting a divorce. It's not good for the spirit, or something like that. I agree.

Ok. That pretty much sums it up. Unfortunately, another factor that figures in is Blogger's issue with comment spam. I have had to shut off comments. And clean up the ones from nearly every post since I began. That really.......$%&!s.

I keep a daily blog for my company now, http://blog.searchgrow.com. And I have started another one of my own using the Wordpress blog-creation platform, http://jrotman.wordpress.com.

Google It!

2005-10-20T17:18:00.000-04:00

I'd like to draw attention to an article on Search Engine Round Table, The Search Lurch: Have We Become Lazy Googlers or Smart Web Researchers? http://www.phptr.com/articles/article.asp?p=418857&rl=1.

Well, I Google nearly everything. The article touches on the increasing reluctance to use bookmarks, instead choosing to Google everything. Googling has gotten easier. Every time we type something into a search field the machine remembers and prompts us in the future when any similar keystrokes are hit. Why search through my unorganized list of Favs-- it's like a closet I have never cleaned out, still full of links (read "crap") from my Database course two years ago.

Do I consider myself lazy? The internet is the lazy-woman's tool. Real motivation is driving to the library to look things up in the newspapers as they are delivered, the recent issues of magazines or actually meeting real people to engage in conversation related to the information you are seeking.

And Another Thing...

2005-09-25T13:53:00.000-04:00

Futurewire, with a nice little rundown on the current war between Microsoft and Google. The supposition is that whichever giant takes up the staff as Lord and Master of the Internet-Universe will really be in control of architecting the future Net: The New Net War: Microsoft vs. Google, http://futurewire.blogspot.com/2005/09/new-net-war-microsoft-vs-google.html

over and out.

Similar Reaction to Ask Jeeves Radio Spot

2005-09-25T12:47:00.000-04:00

Here's an appropriate link to a post on Research Buzz in reaction to a recent Ask Jeeves radio commercial that struck me in much the same way. The spot is more than disturbing....., http://www.researchbuzz.org/2005/09/why_i_think_the_internet_bubbl.shtml

otherwise, I am on mental sabbatical.

Baidu Challenges Google In China

2005-09-15T19:41:00.000-04:00

Baidu, the search engine taking China by storm, literally means "hundreds of times" in relation to one's search "for the ideal," a notion borrowed from an ancient Chinese poem. The BBC reports that finally there may be evidence that Baidu has edged out Google as the internet search leader in China recently, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4197834.stm

I visited one of the pages of Baidu for a clue into what their bent on Chinese internet search was all about, http://ir.baidu.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=188488&p=irol-homeprofile
The impetus behind Baidu. com is so steeped in Chinese tradition and cultural concepts that it is no wonder the search engine is slowly overtaking the nonsensically named Google.

In fact, in their brief explanation of their attention to internet search marketing they explained how their mechanism is so NOT a Pay per Click methodology, as it is a "Pay for Performance" model. Hmmmmm, geewhiz, "performance," you say?

SEO is Like Twisting the Rubik's Cube

2005-09-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

Search Engine Watch had an article, Chasing Search Engine Algorithms: Wisdom or Folly?, a few days ago and I did not even read the whole discussion of the debate over the perfect approach to search marketing. Isn't the draw the same as that of an elusive game, a mind-bender, a word problem where a variable is always missing? Everyone enjoys twisting the Rubik's cube to see when all the colors will match, the form will reach perfect harmony. Algorithms are like a Rubik's cube without colors, you just keep twisting and twisting while trying to tune into The Jedi Force.

The Value of Search Engine Marketing, China's On the Map

2005-09-01T01:08:00.000-04:00

Search Engine Journal, www.searchenginejournal.com, featured an article yesterday, Evolution of Search Engine Marketing, that was the usual argument for search engine marketing expertise in today's increasingly competitive online world. But for me the article was interesting in the stats it offered regarding China's Baidu.com search engine in comparison to Google's, especially when it comes to skyrocketing user interest and dollar value.

NY Times Swats at Corporate Google

2005-08-24T07:39:00.000-04:00

Like I asked a few posts back: What would happen to the world if Google went belly-up tomorrow? Huge things, I think, and with that comes an impressive (if you choose) level of power attached.

Today the NY Times online has a feature article, Relax, Bill Gates; It's Google's Turn as the Villain, by Gary Rivlin, www.nytimes.com.

The point of the article is perhaps obvious-- the once upon a time cutting edge upstarts of Silicon Valley are edging out the King of Digital Monopolies and earning a smarmy little rep while doing so. It all goes to show that the real attractive stuff of start-ups-- the gutsy, roll up your sleeves, see the new technology we've got-- morphs into taking over the world and hoarding as much money as is possible. That's what really pisses everyone off.

Wordtracker's Keyword Guide

2005-08-22T12:35:00.000-04:00

From PrWeb today: A new guide from Wordtracker synthesizes the advice, it claims, from a number of SEO specialists regarding techniques for keyword choice. The release refers mainly to keyword choices for onpage copy-- which a lot of people wrangle over,-- but I'm sure the methods used could be equally useful for those trying to research keywords for PPC campaigns. Includes a link to download a copy.

Keyword Research Guide From Wordtracker, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb275170.htm

PPC Life Beyond Google

2005-08-16T23:26:00.000-04:00

Search Engine Watch did a post back in November on the usefulness of what they called "Tier Two" search engines and the potential they have for providing a nice little market for search advertisers who might be savvy enough to think outside the Google-box, http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/041104-102000

Of course, I also stumbled serendipitously on a press release from a few days ago headlining "Tier Two" PPC campaigns from notable Redzee.com and IceRocket.com, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb271626.htm

Vertical Search Engine, Courtesy Knowledge Storm

2005-08-09T19:07:00.000-04:00

I keep revisiting the vertical search topic, but it's indicative of my intrigue with search engines and search algorithms that spurs me onward. Anything different from the majors interests me, immensely-- goes back to my knack for rooting for the underdog. Just seems the right thing to do.

Anyway, PRWeb today had a release from Knowledge Storm, www.knowledgestorm.com-- they are introducing a new vertical search engine, KnowIT, www.KnowIT.com which they claim will specialize in shaving down the search universe in the field of technology. That's what a vertical search engine does. Not exclusively for technology, but for any field of interest it aims to target. Separates the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Knowledge Storm says that their KnowIT engine is "a true vertical technology engine." Are all the others false and unreal? Advertising.....

Yahoo! Offers Audio Search Beta Today

2005-08-04T18:24:00.000-04:00

In a press release today at Business Wire, Yahoo! announced its introduction of Yahoo! Audio Search Beta. The search giant claims, "Yahoo! Search is the first major search engine to deliver an audio search product that provides users access to over 50 million audio files from major music services and independent publishers."

Read the full press release at Business Wire, http://home.businesswire.com

Dogpile Tool Compares Major Search Results

2005-08-02T22:40:00.000-04:00

Think all search is the same?

www.comparesearchengines.dogpile.com

This is a nifty little tool that will show you a Venn diagram of what search results actually overlap between the majors-- Google, MSN, Yahoo, and AskJeeves. Surprisingly, or not, there are very few similarities. Much of the search results between all the search engines come up as unique, meaning what? That each of them uses a slightly different algorithm or criteria to sort the results.

(I actually took the time to check it myself--feeling very critical this evening. Yep, very few duplicates-- although I was just testing the first page of results for each.)

Preview Seek Promises Best Search Engine

2005-08-02T06:46:00.000-04:00

UK's Preview Seek Limited announced yesterday in a press release I caught on prweb.com, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb267734.htm that they had just launched their top secret search engine, PreviewSeek.com on August 1. The company alleges that the new search engine promises to be the "world's most advanced search engine." Furthermore, they are proud of the fact that this project has been apparently kept under "stealth development."

Why the secrecy? In the world of search engines with so many grasping at the newest algorithms and wondering who will spearhead the next era in internet search, it's no surprise a company who claims to have developed a search engine capable of distinguishing nuances of word meaning, would want to keep it secret. At the very least, it makes for great advertising.

PreviewSeek.com is still currently in beta form, http://beta.previewseek.com. The company says their new product features "proprietary artificial intelligence and collaborative filtering algorithms" that give it that ability to distinguish nuances in search queries.

In my very brief tinkering with it, the interface is clean and fresh. Search results are clearly indexed by page title tags. Good argument for beefing up those title tags.

Google and RSS, Part II

2005-07-29T07:55:00.000-04:00

I posted back on 6/20/05, about "Google and RSS." At the time I was commenting on an essay by Kevin Hale of Particle Tree who offered, then, quite an insightful theory as to why Google would possibly want to explore RSS as an advertising canvas, http://particletree.com/features/the-importance-of-rss , The Importance of RSS.

Today, Search Engine Watch is mentioning a forum thread on ThreadWatch concerning a brand spanking new Google patent aimed at doing just this, automating a system of serving ads to syndicated content, ie, RSS. The whole shebang can be followed through the ThreadWatch link, http://www.threadwatch.org/node/3315

I actually read through a significant chunk of the patent application. A marriage of dry and boring with a smattering of computer-science-interesting that appeals to my completely dorky side. The proposal makes a particularly hard sell for assuring ads are served fresh at the time syndicated content is requested by a user, versus when it is initially generated or posted. The inventors argue that this keeps any targeted ads current when content will invariably become old and outdated.

Couple of deep questions for a Friday:

What happens when Google finally controls the entire world wide web?

What would happen if something disastrous happened to Google tomorrow? How many "fortunes" would be lost, deals undone, businesses fold?

Critically Thinking, I Mean... Searching

2005-07-27T16:48:00.000-04:00

Article at Search Engine Watch, by Mary Ellen Bates, http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3523241

Thinking Outside the Search Box

It's all about critical thinking, using the ol' noggin and generally cutting your own pathway, road less traveled, you get the idea.

Actually, Bates offers renewed support and suggestions to those who have become pigeon-holed into believing the only methods to exact research on the web is via the search engines.

I feel renewed.

The Meaning of DNS

2005-07-23T19:43:00.000-04:00

For a somewhat anti-establishment take on the misuse and mismanagment of the domain name system, http://www.rewired.com/98/0930.html

Rewired:
"DNS: Built for stable hierarchies.
And swamped by mayflies."
A Higher Level of Abstraction, Part Three, by Ted Byfield

Domain Dumps

2005-07-23T19:16:00.000-04:00

Really, the whole concept of online advertisers and marketers figuring out how to fool the search engines and the domain name hosts with short-term, return-it-for-a-full-refund, marketing schemes is somehow brilliant, or mischievous (I'm not sure which is more appropriate), with an equal dose of smarmy.

I begin this in response to a post in Search Engine Watch that links to a titillating article, Pay-Per-Click Speculation Market Growing, by Kevin Murphy of Computer Business Review Online. According to Murphy, in the newest search marketing "trend" online marketers take advantage of buying up hoards of domain names for purposes of "testing" which of them best drives the most marketable traffic. Guess what? They dump them in just enough time to get a full refund.

Wow, there must be some quality content there.

http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=6E7467B1-E770-4F6A-B0A7-5B7118146E39

Value of the Neighborhood

2005-07-20T18:43:00.000-04:00

I'm a few days behind, and while catching up on my reading I noticed a really interesting post from the Link Building Blog, martinibuster on Neighborhoods, http://www.linkbuildingblog.com/2005/07/martinibuster_o.html from a few days ago. A post, he says, appeared in SEW by Martinibuster-- yes, dirty with lots of olives, please-- that really emphasizes the whole concept of links as neighborhoods. While the overall concept is you are who you associate with, this leads to the notion of neighborhood mapping, or link mapping. In turn this leads logically to some fairly certain speculations about what sort of classifications Google gives those websites backlinked especially to loads of SEO and media/marketing sites. http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showpost.php?p=54060&postcount=13.

"look out, they're bringin' down the neighborhood."

AdWords Keywords-- The Money Game

2005-07-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

On an AdWords campaign page yesterday I noticed that Google has made a note to their advertisers that in the next "week or two" their method of handling AdWords Keywords will change to better serve the interests of their advertisers. Their current, and often misunderstood, methodology involves categorizing advertisers' keywords as Active, In Trial, On Hold and Disabled. Most AdWords experts have claimed that once Keywords were moved to On Hold and, ultimately, Disabled that it was nigh impossible to ever get them Active again, bringing many campaigns to schreeching halts with a lot of head scratching about it.

In the next week or two, Google will classify Keywords as either Active or Inactive. This revision might reflect a more reasonable, perhaps, margin of error allocated to AdWords advertisers who are just searching for a piece of the search results pie.

Google Experiments Keep Everyone Guessing

2005-07-12T19:47:00.000-04:00

Search Engine Watch posted on a suspicious search result sighting that was thought to be a new Google experiment.... I am linking to the SEW Forum, More Results Experiments On Google, http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=6751 because this is the original posting and I'm fascinated with how many are in turn fascinated with ANY little burp from Google. But, then again, it affects business, search, relevance, marketing, a slew of things on the ol' apple cart of Google search. How 'bout "Six Degrees of Separation From Google"?

Link-Building vs that @$%#& PageRank

2005-07-12T19:19:00.000-04:00

I really dig the idea of link building, so here is another point to a posting on Search Engine Watch today that downplays the almighty PageRank and presses the important how-to's for effective link building, Revisiting PageRank Lunacy, http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/050712-105100

What is link building, anyway and why should we care?

Most SEO's charge that the trumped up Google PageRank is just that, trumped up and really indicates nothing of the import that it suggests. Instead, a number of well respected SEOs have pushed link building and the TrustRank concept as the real "meat" of site sensibility and relevance.

Basically, when you want someone to take your website seriously, you need to think about who might link to you, even who YOU choose to link to. I think intellect and good taste are a two-way street, frankly. How do you find a site worth its salt and willing to link to you? How do you ask? Where do you go?

Google For Good Writing?

2005-07-05T23:26:00.000-04:00

A posting on Search Engine Journal today from a writer who took a little survey of some top ranking pages with Google and seemed to notice a common thread among them all:

good writing, above average, better than the usual stuff available online.

Hmmmm. One of my bugaboos is good written content. I am learning scads about Google AdWords for work and it's fascinating stuff, but I am consistently for the good written word, versus the typical webpage fare.

So, getting back to SEJ's article, Google's 'Good Writing' Content Filter, posted today, http://www.searchenginejournal.com/index.php?p=1874
The article claims that the selected websites seemed to defy typical SEO givens: a few had frames, a couple of others were littered with images, a couple went way over the SEO limit on links, etc. So this particular writer was able to posit the theory of Google's possible attention to quality content....? Another day, another theory.

What Meets the Eye, of Searchers That Is

2005-07-05T14:30:00.000-04:00

From Search Engine Watch, a commentary on a white paper that analyzes the way search results-- namely Google's-- are scanned by the human eye, "Keeping An Eye on Google," http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3517551

Eye tracking is not a new phenom just because someone is examining it in light of a Google search results page. In fact there is scads of information on the subject, (like this from Grok.com, "The Eyes Have It!" http://www.grokdotcom.com/eyetracking.htm) which makes me wonder why it took so long to apply the science to Google. Clearly the idea behind the information lies in the possibility of using the behavior of eye tracking to produce better search results or position search engine advertisements more strategically.

Internet "Management" Changes Afoot

2005-07-01T18:23:00.000-04:00

The BBC reports that while the US means to retain much of its "control" over the internet-- basically its domain name servers, the major root servers-- that there are other parts of the international community vying for a piece of the managerial pie. Could changes in how the internet is controlled drastically affect the way business is done on the web? And how?

hmmmmm....let me get a beer and ponder this.....

BBC story, US Holds Onto Key Internet Role, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4640441.stm