|
|
Soliciting Search Engines
As your guide operator through the web, search engines are invaluable when used effectively.
You don't have to be able to create a search engine to use it, and their interface is designed with that in mind. Here are some quick considerations that should help any domestic trade.
1.If searching for a regional product, use a regional engine. If you live in Sweden and want information on an Swedish product, use Google.se for example.
This is of particular benefit if something regional is to be delivered to your door. Importing from another country would be impractical, as would a search on the global web.
2.If you don't know the name of a regional engine, then "ask" the global engine. Example: Type in google and sweden.
3. If you need some information on RUBBER SHOES, then type it into the search box but place inverted commas around it. Example: "rubber shoes". With inverted commas, results will be returned with rubber and shoes, in juxtaposition.
Without inverted commas, results can be from web pages that have the word, rubber, and the word, shoes, anywhere on the same page. Example: A fairy tale may recount a rubber dingy, and leather shoes in an unrelated sentence. That is fair game from a perspective of an engine, and a legitimate match.
It may be of no use to the searcher, though.
4.Everything on the Internet is not necessarily true. Indeed, if you are doing some research, then it may take many pages of matches to compile the information that you need. You must filter the options as you see fit. Using various search engines will most likely return different matches in different orders, for the very same search term.
The search engines are programmed to return matches based on their rather unique search criteria.
So some flexibility is needed.
5. Generally, search terms don't have to be case-sensitive.
6. Give the search engines as many clues as possible. Example;
"rubber shoes" chicago should Chicago be the place that you wish to locate a pair of rubber shoes, or information on such a flexible footwear product.
7.The number one match is likely to be the result of many factors, other than the best product for that search term. This is mainly reliant on Search Engine Optimisation, where competition exists. This simply means that something odd or rarely documented, may have no competition, and will come back as number one.
8.Search engines can include and use the results of other search engines.
9.More will exclude, and totally, the results of the competition, as they see appropriate or commercially sensible. Commercial stubbornness is not unknown either.
10. Some search engines use what is referred to as "Boolean operators". Named after George Boole and his assertion that something can be right or wrong, true or false, and more importantly, on or off, a "new" view of logic was spawned.
It is entirely co-incidental that his father made shoes!
While this can get a little involved, it may be no harm to experiment if your engine of choice supports it. Try; rubber and shoes, rubber or shoes, rubber and not shoes, rubber or not shoes and so on.
Now, one wouldn't expect those particular search terms and operators to return anything worthwhile, but "computer and not science" should separate the two terms, if supported. Or "someone famous and not someone famous's wife", should such English be accepted. I trust that you know what I mean.
Some search engines will return all matches by default or irrespective of operators.
"You have the map; just manipulate the method".
Seamus Dolly is the webmaster at http://www.CountControl.com
Search Engine Optimization Tips For 2005 - Part Two
Welcome to the second part of our series of articles on search engine optimization. In the previous article we discussed keywords, domain names, content and keyword density issues. This article moves past that to the nitty gritty of improving your web pages and website for better search engine rankings.
Your Online Home-Based Business Can Lead To Search Engine Stress
As a member of several search engine optimization forums, I have recently noticed (especially since Yahoo recently decided to try their hand at competing with Google) that the stress level of many webmasters has gone way up. This applies not only to webmasters involved in Internet-based home businesses, but to webmasters in general.
Ten Steps To A Well Optimized Website - Step 4: Content Optimization
Welcome to part four in this search engine positioning series. Last week we discussed the importance of the structure of your website and the best practices for creating an easily spidered and easily read site. In part four we will discuss content optimization.
Is Something Missing From Your Keywords Research? (Part 1)
As you may already know, keywords are an essential part of search engine optimization (SEO). And the usual approach recommended to finding the right keywords to target with one's site involves the ideas of demand, supply and KEI (and/or CID). I would like to propose that one thing is missing in this research approach.
Alert Marketing - Get Google Search Results By E-mail
Sometimes our jobs as marketers means we need to look beyond the obvious. Google, for example, offers their Google Alerts service. At first glance, this may seem most useful to companies who want to track certain searches within their industry, or to hobbyists who want to stay on top of changes in their topics of interest.
Google Contest - Nigritude Ultramarine
Search engine optimization experts are having fun with Google. Experts, with DarkBlue.com at the helm, are holding a contest to determine how Google really works. Experts are competing, with the goal of optimizing a webpage for a non-sensical phrase: 'nigritude ultramarine'.
See No Google, Hear No Google, Speak No Google
That's right - I dreamt of a World Wide Web without the Googlopoly. And let me tell you - it was a scary place.
Help Your Visitors Zero in with Site-Flavored Google search
As Google has gained in their search reputation the past few years, many webmasters have added a Google search box to their pages. This is meant to provide a quick path for visitors to continue their search, should they not find what they're looking for on the original site. To help these webmasters provide even more service to their visitors, Google is currently beta-testing a new feature called Site-Flavored Google Search.
Black Hat SEO and the Sneaky Redirect
Are shades of grey SEO really Black Hat SEO?
Search Engine Optimization - A Must
As you surf the web take a look around at many of the sites you see. Do you notice anything that seems strange? Well, let me point it out to you. There are hundreds of thousands of web sites that just don't get much traffic. Some of these sites house hundreds of articles, reviews, tutorials, tools, products, forums to mention a few things, yet still they do not receive large amounts of traffic. What is their problem? They have the content. What is left?
Ranked #1 at Google for Invisible Entrepreneurs But No Traffic?
I am ranked #1 for that silly phrase at Google. So What?
Expert Help From Google Answers
Web users turn to search engines for answers to their questions. This is usually done through various levels of searching the engine's database. Sometimes though, no matter how hard they try, searchers can't find the information they need. Maybe they're not familiar with how to narrow and focus searches, or they may not have enough background in the subject they're researching to recognize the answer they need. Google Answers offers a solution.
Search Wars! - MSNs Opening Salvo
With all the recent publicity given to Google as the Internet's number one search service, it's hardly surprising that Microsoft has already started work on re-vamping their MSN search service. Okay, it's still powered by the Yahoo engine, but according to Microsoft it has been "cleaned up" and the new service mirrors much more the kind of "non-commercial" results which are currently displayed by Google.
Tools of the Trade, the SEO Must Have Utilities
Search Engine traffic accounts for nearly 80% of the Internet traffic. It is no wonder all website owners want their pages appear in the first 3 pages of the Search engine Results Pages ( SERPS). Getting there by itself is one tough job, and sustaining your place there is another day to day tussle. Unless most of the mundane tasks are automated the life of an SEO is going to be miserable. We constantly see new webmasters are clueless about the tools of the trade. Let's see a few main one's in this article.
Rock Your Rank With a Dynamite Text Link - Yahoo Directory Explodes Rankings
Last week a client called me excitedly exclaiming that their Google PageRank had jumped a notch and their targeted keyword term now ranked #23 (up from #45) for their competitive search phrase. I asked the client if he'd been notified by Yahoo that his site was now included in the index after we had submitted it three weeks ago. "Yes," he said, "but why are you changing the subject?"
How To Select The Right Keywords
Keyword Selection
Effective Search Engine Use
The Internet is a wonderful place full of resources that can be really helpful for us.
Reciprocal Link Exchange Management Software
Five FAQ About Google PageRank
Five FAQ about Google PageRank
What is The Google Sandbox Effect?
In the age of fair competition you may find it hard to believe that a search engine may hinder the appearance of a new website. This is what is currently believed to be happening on more web servers today. Some programmers have viewed Google as uncomfortable to rank newer websites until they have proven their viability to exist for more than a period of "x" months. Thus the term "Sandbox Effect" applies to the idea that all new websites have their ratings placed in a holding tank until such time is deemed appropriate before a ranking can commence.