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SEO Speedwagon

Intrapromote Looks Under the Hood of Search Engine Optimization

Google Doesn't Like Nofollows Anymore. Shocker.June 8

Recently, Google's Matt Cutts made some hints about nofollow links and their value going down. I have to be honest. I'm not surprised.

Once again, we're seeing something that Google did to try and make link popularity "fair" across the board become a nightmare for them to measure because of many people abusing the original intent of it. What? People trying to abuse a system instead of just doing good work? Unheard of.

This story has been developing for a while and there are some interesting elements at play. The biggest factor is that some sites have abused this link attribute in order to funnel the link value to a few of their internal target pages or for other purposes (of which there are many). The situation is not unlike the paid link debate: while some uses of the tactic are completely valid and ethical (assuming you follow the guidelines put in place), those that overuse and abuse the tactic ruin it for the rest of us. Let's face it, for every really good link builder (meaning ethical, transparent, creative, etc) there are 100 link builders that are only it for a short time and try to figure out a way to game the system instead of creating a long-lasting strategy.

Let's remember that the purpose of link building is not to trick the search engines. The purpose is to provide search engines and users with what they want: relevant result

Dafforn First to Discover Google Changes Profile Hop from 302 to 301May 27

I am happy to report I am not the only one so oddly obsessed; money quote:

About three weeks ago,

[John Lustina] noted that Google numerical-based URLs were redirecting to custom profiles, but they were using a 302 instead of a preferable 301. Today, however, I'm happy to note that's changed. As of this writing, the 302 has changed to 301.Mark the time, SEO Friends; Google is listening to our Social World.

And with the step toward doing what they tell us to do, me Google Profile hops another steep up, to 5:

Is this why they wanted to 302 Hop[e], originally?

Optimized Press Releases - The Engine that Can Drive Qualified Traffic to Your SiteMay 20

Our new optimized press release plans provide companies with a cost-effective and powerful way to stay top of mind with their customers. Recently we syndicated a press release for a client that contained helpful tips on how to prevent and deal with flood damage caused by spring rains. A unique aspect of this press release is the embedded YouTube video that illustrates many of the ideas discussed in the copy so readers can actually see how they can prevent basement flooding and other damage to their homes.

This video demonstrates only one of the many added benefits you can take advantage of with your optimized press release plan. You can think of optimized press releases as an engine to reach your customers. This engine is the driving force that can be built upon with image attachments, embedded videos, PDF attachments, podcasts and more. The increased search visibility, linking value and added benefits of attaching photos, videos and brochures about your products make optimized press releases a great way to keep your company's name in the news.

I'd like to talk to you about our optimized press release writing and distribution plans. It's important to keep your company's name in front of customers; especially now in this difficult economy. Contact me at lisa@intrapromote.com to find out more.

Google Profiles Now Above the Fold?May 18

In spite of that odd numerical URL that persists and 302 hops, my Google Profile has proven to indeed be a climber, for the first time breaking above the fold for the vanity search I have been vainly keeping my own eye on from day one:

Now, as is normally the case with a non-temporary 302--THE problem with a non-temporary 302 you might conclude--I don't know whether to link to http://www.google.com/profiles/John.Lustina or http://www.google.com/profiles/116187582762783426547 when I am referring to it.

Google?

Google Vanity Profiles Buggy on the iPhoneMay 6

I wouldn't categorize this under DEFCON 5, but there's a bug with Google Profiles in the iPhone version of Safari.

When you do a vanity search and you've filled out your Google Profile sufficiently, it might show up at the bottom of the first SERP. My profile, for example, does show up correctly on normal browsers.

In an iPhone vanity search, however, something weird happens. Where the profile link would be, there is instead a link to a page called "prose%200", as seen here:

%20 is the escape code for a space, so in reality, the page is called "prose 0". When you click the link in the iPhone, you land here:

I imagine the "pro" in "prose" stands for "profile." As for the "se," I'm not sure. "Search engine," perhaps, although that seems too easy, as well as redundant.

Conclusion: If you have thousands or millions of people searching their iPhones for your Google profile (like I don't), they're not finding you.