Microsoft AdCenter Generates SEM Buzz

The first half of 2006 seems to be a firm commitment from Microsoft regards the launch of AdCentre its pay per click advertising service. MSN is committed to take sponsored ads from Yahoo until June 2006. Adcentre is creating a lot of exicitement out there because it offers real competition to Google Adwords and Yahoo Sponsored Search but rumour also has it that keywords will be competitively priced. The results of the beta testing will be released first quarter 2006.

Eco-friendly Flip-Flops

Yet another Search Engine Optimisation article in the mainstream press. This time in the Guardian - nothing new here. The black hat SEO tactics in the article are tactics that the big search engines already know how to handle. The amazing sucess of the spoof site optimised for the words eco-friendly flip flops is not that amazing really. If you search Google on eco-friendly flip flops you come up with 16,800 hits. These are web pages containing the words eco-friendly AND flip AND flops somewhere on the page.

If on the other hand you search on the precise phrase "eco-friendly flip flops" you get 20 hits and a good number of these are relating to the original article. These are web pages containing the exact phrase and as noboby would be mad enough to promote such a product it is not surprising that it proved realitively easy get to number one position. Especially if you can generate a couple of quality links from Unlimited Guardian to help you along the way.

There's only one effective way to get to the top of the search engines and stay there and that's by hard work building a site with lots of useful content rich in information that your target customers want to read. And if your site has value quality websites will link to you and you get into a virtuous circle. Thats how you get to the top of Google.

2005 According to Google

Take a look at Google Zeitgeist for some interesting search statistics for 2005. Top 3 searches are (1) Janet Jackson, (2) Katrina and (3) Tsunami. How in the hell did JJ beat the natural diasters for the top spot? Loads of other interesting stuff on World Affairs, Movies and Celebraties!!!!

How Does Google Work

Ever wondered how Google produces its results then take a look at this great article from Matt Cutts one of Google's senior software engineers which explains the processes Google uses to produce its results.

Matt can also be heard on an audio interview on webmaster radio which you might also want to listen to. A few things Matt notes:

1. Some people waste too much effort going after a trophy phrase instead of going after a broad array of easier phrases.
2. Don't expect to compete with a large well established site straight away - start out with a niche, build some reputation and then broaden things out.
4. It takes time to develop...don't expect a 4 day old site to compete.
5. Hidden text penalties can take 30 days to 90 days to lift, longer for multiple instances

Also take a llok at the Google Help Centre extra help and advice. You can also find tips on how to avoid common SEO company scams.

Performancing - Helping Bloggers Succeed.

Want to learn more about writing blogs and other blog related issues then join Performancing a blogging community forum. I have only just joined myself up but the forums and threads look intereresting. I'll report back in few weeks.

Tim Berners Lee Starts Blog

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the World Wide Web has started his own blog which can be read here . That's the great thing about the blogosphere - the ability to communicate with almost anyone. Similarly for companies - using a blog you can give your customers another channel of communication and allow them to speak to your engineers or customer service representatives directly. Over time any archives will be a valuable resource for developing customer support and FAQs. Not only thats blogs are a great opportunity to gain market intelligence or test market ideas before launch. Get blogging.