Web Marketing Stuff » Google

Stephen Colbert Interview with Biz Stone of Twitter

Chris — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:19:25 +0000

With all the discussion lately about Google wanting to buy Twitter (with no one confirming or commenting) the interview that Stephen Colbert did last night with Biz Stone, one of the founders of Twitter, had some interesting insights.

Colbert asked about the future of Twitter and Biz said: We will continue to run as an “independent company”….We have patient investors and we are in the value stage of our business not the make money phase. Watch the fun interview for yourself:

The Colbert Report

Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Biz Stone

comedycentral.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

NASA Name Contest

Google Insights for Search Tutorials, ultimate YouTube learning experience

Chris — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:40:17 +0000

There is a reason that YouTube is the now the #2 search engine. It’s because of how great it is to learn from watching rather than from reading. Although it’s fun to read others opinions of what to do for Google optimization, how to follow the rules, what’s a rule and what’s a suggestion etc., it’s always better to hear what Google has to say. Earlier I talked about following the official search engine blogs and this is a follow up to that post with a little video insight. May I present, Google Insights for Search -- Tutorials:

httpv://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=75DA300B7F68590A

Google does tell you everything, if you ask (or search hard enough).

Chris — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:53:29 +0000

As a website owner and business man (self proclaimed) I find myself getting caught up on what others say about search engine optimization, landing page optimization, paid search optimization, do this or else, don’t do this unless you’ve done that etc. The fact of the matter is, most of the comments and articles are written by professional writers. They know how to search, email and put together a wonderful story, outline or how-to. Those that actually practice what they preach, like Aaron Wall at SEOBook.com, share their experiences and what they are noticing on their own sites more than what they think should result from changing something. I hope this is making sense.

It’s important as a new online marketer or even as a business owner trying to make sure not to screw up too badly, that you pay attention to a few key points. Google shares everything and you can find their official stance with a littel bit searching (sometimes a lot of searching) so here are some helpful links…from Google….to help you better understand the web and what they think you should do with your site, analytics and paid search. Remember, if Google tells you do not do something and you do it, you probably won’t rank as high as someone following the Google rules. And if you are doing exactly what Google tells you to do, you will probably experience the brighter, happier side of Google Quality Score and Google rankings.

An article in today’s WebProNews is a classic example of why you need to find answers to your questions by asking the holder of information. To find out how Bounce Rate works and how it can affect your Adwords Quality Score, the staff writers asked Google reps. Although some of the responses are less than helpful, by asking multiple reps and reading exactly what Google says in their Webmaster Central, we now have a better idea of what Bounce Rate is and how it affects Quality Score.

Now to the helpful things Google has and can teach you:

Google Analytics Definitions

Google Interviews about AdWords Metrics

Google’s own Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide

Google AdWords Learning Center

The point is that there are a lot of resources available from Google about Google and you can spend as much time as you need learning the right way to do things OR you can guess and listen to article writers and hope you are doing what’s you are supposed to.

What do the Search Engines consider relevant for the term Search Engine?

Chris — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:31:46 +0000

With all the searches being performed every day and the fact that we now use search engines for everything I thought to myself, what do the search engines recommend when searching for a search engine. Google’s search term “Extraction” tool says that the term “search engine” gets an average of 2,240,000 searches per month. Here are the results:

Google says Altavista is #1. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about Altavista but if Google says they are the top for search engine then who am I to get in the way?:

Google Search Results for the term "Search Engine"

Yahoo says they are the top search engine but even Yahoo acknowledges Google is right there. Again, dogpile and Altavista must have something I didn’t know about because the two top search engines (in my humble opinion) have both now pointed me to Altavista for a good search engine. Another thing I love is the Also Try section….nothing but Google:

Yahoo search results for the term "search engine"

Next let’s look at MSN’s Live.com. Again, dogpile and Altavista at the top and Live.com doesn’t even crack the top 5. Even Microsoft acknowledges the fact that others know search better than themselves:

Live's search results for the term search engine

Lastly, Ask.com sure gives themselves a ton of credit for being a search engine but look at number 2 Altavista.:

Ask search results for the term search engine

So the conclusions I’ve drawn from this exercise are simple. #1 - I don’t give Altavista near enough credit as a search engine and I should change that. #2 – I should never ask a search engine for a search engine or I’ll be led astray. #3 – Live.com really is bad.

Happy Holidays!