I just got back from MicroConf 2013, where I had the honour of speaking to an incredible group of entrepreneurs about SEO. My presentation appeared to go down well, yet many will remember it for two reasons. The first was my demonstration of how careful you need to be when giving cash to an SEO consultant. The second was my … Read More
Sensible answers to ignorant SEO advice
Next time you’re at a conference, dinner, networking event or even friend’s house and the subject of SEO comes up, there’s a reasonable chance that you’re going to be confronted by a certain level of nonsense. Don’t let the moment throw you. Here are all the answers you need to firmly put the wannabe-SEO firmly in their place. “SEO is … Read More
The dark is getting darker
You probably already know that Google aren’t reporting all your organic keywords, but the problem may be more serious than you realise. The background in brief: In October 2011 Google announced that they would no longer be reporting on the organic keywords used by anyone logged into Google. In other words if someone is logged into Gmail (for example) and … Read More
Black-hat SEO is no longer viable (not that it ever was)
I just had a phone call with a company interested in using our SEO services. The following is an almost word-for-word transcript of part of the phone call – as best as my memory and notes can handle. Bob: “Okay this all sounds good, just we’re looking for. But can I ask you a question?“ Me: “Of course – fire … Read More
Google over-optimization update: a sigh of relief (or not)
Most SEOs are today breathing a sigh of relief. The over-optimization algorithm update is live, and if our client’s sites are anything go to by, there’s little to worry about.
How to measure the trend in “not provided” data
I’ve spoken to a number of people who found the There’s a war on data post a little worrying, and in particular wanted to know how to how many of their organic visits are being recorded as “not provided”, and how to see the rate of increase in this trend. It’s very simple. Go into your Analytics account, then choose Traffic … Read More
Black hat SEO is an oxymoron
Search engine optimisation (or optimization if you insist) is the process of making sure that the search engines recognise, qualify and index the content of your website. Like any business relationship this can be anywhere on a scale from absolute honesty to complete deception. But no-one can dispute that black hat techniques carry a degree of risk.
(not provided) may pollute your Analytics data
Last month Google announced dramatic changes that seem to have fallen below the radar for many businesses. In a nutshell, they will no longer be reporting on the organic keywords used by anyone logged into their Google accounts. Meaning? Your data has to all intents and purposes been polluted. Read on…
PPC or SEO?
Why either/or? Some food for thought: – Good organic rankings won’t last forever. SEO is a moving target. – If people click on your ads then they’re working. * – PPC is more accountable. * – PPC gets quicker results. * – SEO is free. (Except it isn’t.) * = assuming that you’re doing it right. Some common misdecisions: (not a real … Read More
Who’s using Bing? And why?
You and I wouldn’t think about using anything else but Google for our searches, right? But you and I may not be representative of anything other than you and I. What about them?