Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Mahalo is Spam According to Google's Quality Guidelines
According to Aaron Wall, since Mahalo adds no value (if you remove the links which point to other pages on the Internet), it violates Google's spam guidelines. While many people, particularly SEOs (who have been frustrated with Jason's commentary in the past -- though to me, he redeemed himself during the keynote at SESNY last week), lauded Aaron's statements, I have to disagree with Aaron's statement. Personally, do you think that this post on how - Use "Directory" + [Local Area] to Find Local Directories
A WebmasterWorld member asks how to find local directories for link building purposes. One member suggests that you search with "directory + [your local area]" on Google or Yahoo to find some really targeted local directories. There are also some great paid directories including Best of the Web's regional directory and Yahoo's regional directory, both of which are subscription-based models. How do you find quality link directories? Forum discussion continues at WebmasterWorld. - Are Search Conferences Worth the Money?
So you can't travel the globe for every conference, but finally you discover that there's a conference in your area. Now you need to justify the expenses. Is it worth $1500+ for just a few PowerPoint presentations, or is there more to it? The session in question is actually one of the SMX series, so Danny Sullivan chimed into the thread and provided some insights about the cost vs. value. The cost really does justify - Many SEOs Feel The Minus X Penalties Are Back Link Related
A month ago I wrote, Google's Matt Cutts Replies to -60 Penalty Thread at Google where I summarize how Matt said some links are hurting a particular site. At that point, I decided to poll our readers and see if they feel that most of the "minus" X related threads and penalties are back link related or something else. Most believe the penalties are related to one's back links. Here is the break down: 47% - Google Launches Demographics Targeting to All Advertisers
Google AdWords announced that demographics targeting is now available to all advertisers. Google has been testing this feature for over two years now and relaunched the test recently without comScore data, although you can still use demographic targeting with comScore data under placement targeted ads. Google gives you step by step instructions on how to set up demographic bidding, but I have yet to see the option under the "Advanced Options" section after clicking on - Easter Logos from Search Engine Industry
Yesterday was Easter and some search engine related sites has special logos up for the day. Google and Yahoo did not have any logo up for the day. Here are some of the logos from the industry. DogPile's Easter Logo: Ask.com's Easter Theme: Cre8asite Forums Easer Logo: Bruce Clay Blog's Easter Logo: Google did once post a special Google Easter Bunny Search a while back, but nothing really new this year. Forum discussion at Cre8asite - Alert: More Google AdWords Phishing Attempts
Over the weekend, there was a new onslaught of Google AdWords phishing attempts. Basically, fake emails have gone out that appear to be from Google. The emails ask you to login to AdWords and update your billing information. Although the link may appear to look like its a Google.com address, it is not. If you click on it and enter your billing information, it will go to a non-authorized individual, who may use your credit - Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: March 23, 2008
Listen up, you have a chance to win a prize by watching this video. If you spot a "prop" during the video, comment below and star the video at YouTube. The following week, I will pull a name out of a hat and the winner gets a prize. US only contestants please. Here is the video recap of Weekly Search Buzz Roundup - 03/21/08: Universal Porn, Malicious Links and SES NY 2008. We covered a
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Being Off-Topic, Off-Message, Or Off-Brand Can Be Good For Your SEO!, Sphinn
- Does blog spam still work in 2008?, WebmasterWorld
- Happy Birthday Ruud & RustyBrick, Cre8asite Forums
- Google Search Within SERPs, Removal is Possible, WebmasterWorld
