2013
10 SEO Posts that Shaped 2013
Here is my list of the 10 SEO-related blog posts that shaped the SEO industry during 2013. I chose these blog posts and articles not because the articles themselves did the shaping: but the topic they covered shaped the industry.
In SEO, It s Not What You Do, It s How You Do It
For years (perhaps as long as I ve been in this industry), I ve read comments all over the web about how anyone can do SEO and/or the obligatory don t waste your money on an SEO expert.
FTC Sends Letter to Search Engines Regarding Disclosure
The FTC has sent an updated letter to the search engines about disclosure of paid ads versus natural search results. I ve analyzed the letter, and here is what you need to know.
Bad Site Design Won t Get Your Site Penalized by Google
The difference between a Google Penalty and having your search engine rankings go down. Seems as though there are a lot of people out there that don t know the difference, and in this blog post I clear this up.
Before You Buy a Domain: How to Do Your SEO Due Diligence
Before I get into the specifics of how to do SEO due diligence on a domain name, let’s look at recent real-world example of a great domain name–but how the domain’s past eventually hurt a business.
Summer is here: The Beach, Sunscreen, and Sunglasses
It s June. Summer is here. When I think of summer, I think of bathing suits, the beach, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
5 Common Driving Distractions that Could Cause an Accident
We all lead busy lives and when we get in the car, things don’t just automatically turn off. Our busy lives keep on rolling as we move down the road so it’s common for many people to continue to multitask behind the wheel. The problem with this is that when you’re driving, you are operating a large vehicle that has the capacity to seriously i
Measure Title Tag Length in Pixels, Not Characters, for Sear
In my latest blog post on the Standing Dog blog I wrote about title tag length. Specifically, I show how it s clear that you need to start measuring your title tag length in pixels, NOT in characters. No longer should you be writing title tags based on 70 characters. Google doesn t measure it that way, so you shouldn t either.
2012
Sedo.com and Sedo.co.uk Hacked, Hosting Malware on Site
It looks like Sedo.com and Sedo.co.uk, the search engine for domain names, has been hacked, and apparently is hosting malware on their web site. These messages started appearing to visitors of both Sedo.com and Sedo.co.uk within the past 24 hours, and I have verified that users are still getting these messages.
For Disabled Vets Returning Home on the 4th, iWalk.com Has G
CNN launched a new showed I think my audiences would like, especially for the 4th of July as we remind ourselves of those brave men and women that put their blood and treasure on the line for our independence.
Seniors and Chocolate
As I sat and pondered what to blog about, I nibbled a piece of chocolate hoping for some divine inspiration (after all chocolate is heavenly, right)? It made me wonder if anyone has done a study on chocolate and seniors.
Home Depot Caught Promoting Questionable Linking Tactics
Home Depot, the home improvement “big box” retailer, has been caught promoting what I call “questionable” link tactics and providing false information to their vendors. In an email to their vendors (specifically those who provide installation services), a representative from Home Depot encourages their vendors to link to specific pages on Home Depo
comScore January 2012 Search Engine Rankings
Every month about this time comScore releases the search engine rankings data, and I report it here. These are not the actual search engine rankings that you see when you search at a search engine, which are constantly changing. Think of this more as the “market share” for the search engine industry.
The Frager Factor: Seller Schilling, Meet Buyer Whiteley: Ta
“I hadn’t dealt with Frank before and didn’t know who I was dealing with. The prices were high – but they are good domain names and I should get good returns by using them. I think the fascinating thing at the moment is that there still isn’t really a fixed way of valuing a domain yet.”
SEO Pricing: 600 Agencies Share Costs of Services amp; Pri
Survey on how much SEO services cost. Near the end of December 2011, we ran a survey on this blog asking consultants and agencies of all sizes and geographies to contribute their pricing models and cost structures. I m pleased to share the results of that survey.
2011
YouTube Has a New Design
I love YouTube. I love posting videos to YouTube, reading the comments to videos and watching videos of all types: from music videos to Korean e-sports. YouTube just redesigned their website. Did they nail it or put a nail in their coffin?
Most Popular Baby Names of 2011 Domain Names Available
BabyCenter has revealed the most popular baby names of 2011. I am not surprised by the names–and even had a relative with a new baby this year name her baby Chloe, which made the list this year. Here is the list of the most popular baby names of 2011:
What Justin Bieber has in Common with Lauren s Dad
So, what does Justin Bieber have in common with Lauren s dad? I mean really, if you read this headline you would probably not think that they have much in common. But take a look at what really these two, Justin Bieber and Lauren s dad, have in common.
Is a Microsoft Word Resume Still Acceptable?
Standing Dog is hiring. And we have been receiving a lot of resumes for various open positions that we have, some in social media, some in Search Engine Optimization, and even in the Creative (web design, etc.) areas. I know that standard resumes in Microsoft Word are acceptable. But to stand out, is it acceptable to submit a resume that is a littl
Google Acquires Illegal Google Plus .com IDN Domain Name
In an effort to protect their Google Plus social network, Google recently acquired .com. The problem is that .com, aka xn--dra.com is not allowed. It s an illegal domain name. IDN characters are not allowed or available in the .com TLD. Google, what were you thinking when you purchased this IDN .com domain name? I hope you did not pay too much f
Conde Nast Purchases 285 Reddit Domain Names
When large groups of domain names are purchased such as the one I came across today, most of the time it indicates that the company purchasing them has major plans in the works. That happened today, when I was alerted to the fact that Conde Nast Digital, the folks behind the popular Reddit website, purchased a few hundred domain names. These are no
Microsoft Moves Synsup Labs Domain Names
In April 2011 I first reported that Microsoft had acquired 47 domain names related to something (a brand or a company) named Synsup Labs. Those domain names had previously been pointed to the Bing.com search results. Now, the total number of domain names related to Synsup Labs that Microsoft owns is an even 50 domain names, and a name server has be
bertie at the blackman : Burton s a Hurtin yallll : The Bla
Amongst the fishes and fogs and popular sprogs, we went in head first to Tim Burton s final day in Melbourne. p-p-p-p-p I m noticing a trend here.... The Blackman Hotel, on St. Kilda Road in Melbourne Australia, offers luxurious studio suites featuring dreamy Art Series beds, complete kitchenettes and stylish designer furnishings.
Duplicate Content: Google Not Following Own Best Practices
Google is not following their own webmaster guidelines on their own web site. We all have issues with our web sites at one time or another. When we optimize our web sites we try to make sure that we follow the industry’s best practices. But that doesn’t always happen, even if you are Google. I have uncovered a few instances where Google is not foll
Microsoft Acquires 47 SynsupLabs Domain Names
In an interesting acquisition today by Microsoft, the company acquired 47 domain names and has pointed them to the Bing.com search engine. I usually watch the list of Microsoft domain names and have not seen such a large acquisition of new domain names in a long time. Perhaps this is the indication of a new product, a new service, or upcoming proje
