This is the February 28th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 28, 2007:

• Google Shows Ask It Can Take A Joke, WebProNews
• Google: Snippets better than meta description, 2optimize
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 27, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Microsoft Advertisers Over Billed in adCenter, MarketPosition
• Google Lets You Play Your Own Video Ads, InsideGoogle
• Yahoo Updates Their Pay-Per-Inclusion Program, Search Engine Herald
• Yahoo! Search Support for 'NOYDIR' Meta Tags and Weather Update, Yahoo! Search blog
• Is Yahoo!’s Search PPC Really from Search Engines?, InsureMe Affiliate Blog
• MSN AdCenter Canada Launch: Where's Barry?, Traffick
• Choosing SEO Providers By Their Own Organic Rank, BizMord
• Yahoo! Search Support for 'NOYDIR' Meta Tags and Weather Update, Techmeme
• Comment réaliser une veille efficace ?, Actualité Référencement

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 28, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Big news today was that Yahoo! released a meta tag to exclude the Yahoo! Directory title and descriptions from showing in the search results. With that, Yahoo! is doing a search update. Google is now accepting Canadian AdWords Professionals companies. Search engines don't have to run your stinking ads! Does Google reinclusion work? Paused AdWords ads are still running, still! Google Groups transfer of ownership rules. Search Pulse 21 is live. Google is working on Governmental sales. I posted a list of in-house SEOs. Google is buying scatter TV inventory. Google Maps added live traffic data. Google's Keane left to CBS.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Canadian Companies Now Invited To Be Google AdWords Qualified Professionals
2. Good Google AdSense Resources
3. Search Engines Can Choose Not To Run Your Ads
4. Yahoo! Changes Yahoo Search Submit Express to Basic & Adds Analytics
5. Google Reinclusion Requests Going Unheard Or Not? Getting Your Site Back in Google.com
6. Paused Google AdWords Ads Still Running
7. What To Do When A Google Groups Administrator Dies
8. Search Pulse 21: Design, Google Update, Patent Apps, AdWords Algorithm, Yahoo! Search, Microsoft adCenter, SEO Training & More
9. Yahoo! Adds NOYDIR Support To Exclude Yahoo! Directory Titles in Yahoo! Search Results
10. Global Yahoo! Search Index Update

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Stepping Up Governmental Sales
2. The SEOs Doing It In-House
3. Google Buying TV Scatter Units
4. Google Maps Tailgates Yahoo, Microsoft With Real-Time Traffic Info
5. Keane, Head Of Advertising Sales Strategy At Google Goes To CBS

Posted at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I was driving to the bank a couple hours ago and I looked in the rear view mirror and saw this car. I looked closer and it was a Red Bull promotional truck.

I pulled out my treo and attempted to take some pictures of it. They aren't great, because I was driving and the Red Bull Truck was behind me.

I looked up some past Red Bull Cars and found this but that is a totally different car.

I spotted this while driving on Airmont Road, towards College Road, in Suffern, NY.

Anyway, thought this was interesting and would make a good personal blog post.

More pictures at Flickr.

Posted at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Category: Just Funny , Just Interesting , Just Weird , Motor Vehicle | Comments (1) (0)

This is an interesting bug, a reader told me that my feed URLs are being redirected to my home page.

So http://feeds.seroundtable.com/~r/SearchEngineRoundtable1/~3/97339342/012542.html is not taking you to http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/012542.html like it should. It is taking you to http://www.seroundtable.com/.

I tested this on both my feeds and both are the same.

I then tested Danny's feed via Google Blog Search, since he also uses FeedBurner, and his has the same issue.

I emailed FeedBurner and Danny emailed Rick at FeedBurner...

Hope it is fixed soon, along with the FeedFlare issues, which I may drop.

Here is the output for a CURL command showing it is on FeedBurner's side, since I do not use a Linux box, I use FreeBSD.

curl -v http://feeds.seroundtable.com/~r/SearchEngineRoundtable1/~3/97374916/012543.html
* About to connect() to feeds.seroundtable.com port 80
* Trying 66.150.96.119... * connected
* Connected to feeds.seroundtable.com (66.150.96.119) port 80
> GET /~r/SearchEngineRoundtable1/~3/97374916/012543.html HTTP/1.1 User-Agent: curl/7.13.1 (powerpc-apple-darwin8.0) libcurl/7.13.1 OpenSSL/0.9.7l zlib/1.2.3
Host: feeds.seroundtable.com
Pragma: no-cache
Accept: */*

< HTTP/1.1 302 Moved
< Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:24:14 GMT
< Server: Apache/2.0.54 (Debian GNU/Linux) mod_fastcgi/2.4.2 mod_jk/1.2.15
< Location: http://www.seroundtable.com/
< Transfer-Encoding: chunked
< Content-Type: text/plain
< Set-Cookie: NSC_gffe-iuuq-mc-wtfswfs=8efb330c3660;expires=Wed, 28-Feb-07 16:27:09 GMT;path=/
* Connection #0 to host feeds.seroundtable.com left intact
* Closing connection #0

FeedBurner fixed the issue:

We had a brief service interruption morning that would have led to the redirection trouble you reported. We sent in the smokejumpers and got things under control so you should be seeing expected feed performance/clickthrough destinations again. Please let us know if that still doesn't appear to be the case on your end. Thanks for your patience.

Posted at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (0) (0)

This is the February 27th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 27, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 26, 2007, Search Engine Land
• AdWords Editor 3.0 Available For Windows; Mac Version Coming In Weeks, Search Engine Land
• Google Ink Sends Ask.com New Google Pen, Search Engine Land
• Googlepedia : l'évidence de l'oxymore., affordance.info
• Microsoft adCenter Bug Makes Advertisers Pay Thousands, ineedhits
• Google’s New Giant Step For Advertisers is a Step in the Winning Direction, Interner Marketing Monitor

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 27, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

YahooSarah introduced YahooPete to the search marketing forums. Cre8asite Forums launched an SMO forum with new moderator Li Evans. Google is testing some special video AdSense units. Google said they will show advertisers what sites are displaying their ads. Advertisers began speaking up on the new AdWords quality score. I explained how to report some errors to Google Maps. Google sent Ask.com a new pen, really funny. AdWords editor 3.0 is out for PC and will come out for Mac shortly. Search engines do not have to display any ad. I linked to a keyword research article and tool.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Yahoo! Introduces YahooPete As YSM Rep; YahooSarah Now YPN Rep
2. Cre8asite Forums Launches Social Media And Tagging Forum & Adds Li Adds Mod
3. Google Testing Special Video AdSense Units?
4. Google To Show AdWords Advertisers Where Contextual Ads Are Displayed
5. Advertisers Speak On New AdWords Quality Score Algorithm
6. Find Road & Map Errors On Google Maps? How To Report Them

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Ink Sends Ask.com New Google Pen
2. AdWords Editor 3.0 Available For Windows; Mac Version Coming In Weeks
3. Search Engines Do Not Have To Display All Ads Says Court
4. Keyword Research Steps & Tool Update

Posted at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I have had an American Express business card for ages. I recently upgraded to the platinum business card to reap some better rewards. But I think American Express is getting the upper hand.

I know people who really know how to use those rewards. They get free flights, upgrades, extra perks, etc. I get nothing.

I was at a friend, he told me that he has American Express Luggage Tags. Supposedly, they get you your bags faster. So I called, asking for these luggage tags, and they acted like they never heard of such things. Hmm, what does this look like or what about this or this.

I called a couple times in the past, seeing if I can get upgrades and so on. Noddaa.

I think I am using my AMEX card wrong...

Posted at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (2) (0)

This is the February 26th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 26, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 23, 2007, Search Engine Land
• MSN AdCenter: How Doth Thee Suck So? Let me Count the Ways, AU Interactive
• Whoa. adCenter Bug Costs Millions, Clicks and Bits
• Microsoft adCenter CPC Costs Spike: Known Bug, Techmeme
• Google Algorithm Update, Search Newz
• This Week In SEO - 2/23/07, TheVanBlog
• Ads by G (image) di adsense, Aziz Raharjo
• Artículo en Clarín Pymes y el porque del Blog, E | Laws
• Some advertisers being charged over a thousand dollars per click by Microsoft, Web Metrics Guru
• Yahoo! Search Highlighting Keywords In Cache Link, Unofficial SEO Blog
• manage to experience: Seminar, Ian Joyce
• Link-o-Rama: A buffet of quick tips and mostly free resources, 7CM
• Google Tracking Clicks, Are Rankings Affected?, Unofficial SEO Blog
• A cuppa statement, Maeghan's Musings
• Costly AdCenter Bug -- MS Fails to Learn, SearchAnyway PPC
• Geo Targeting Tips With Yahoo! Search Marketing, Sabahan.com
• Yahoo Sees Better Results With New Ad Platform, InformationWeek
• Misc bits, Matt Cutts
• YeeHaw! Adwords Editor Version 3 is Available, PPC Lab
• AdWords: Improvements All Around, Marketing Pilgrim
• First Wikipedia, Now YouTube: Creeping up the SERPs, Marketing Pilgrim

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 26, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Finalized the Search Engine Roundtable design over the weekend. Is Google Apps asking for it? YouTube has been spotted in the second result for shoe. Microsoft refunded adCenter advertisers. Google AdWords Editor 3.0 is now live. Google Maps stickers are only for UK businesses. NASA is providing more Google Earth KMLs. Google Videos spotted in Google search results. SEMPO board was announced. Google Checkout coming to Australia soon? Google ordered to change AdSense contract in South Korea. Webmaster Central has more detailed malware warnings now. Microsoft bought health search engine Medstory.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Design Update For Search Engine Roundtable
2. Is Google Apps Domain Verification Asking For Trouble?
3. Number Two Result in Google For "Shoes" is YouTube
4. Microsoft Refunds adCenter Advertisers Over Weekend
5. Google AdWords Editor Version 3.0 Available
6. Google Maps Stickers Are For UK Businesses Only

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. NASA & Google Earth Color Earth With Near Real Time Information
2. Google Video Plus Box Results
3. 2007 SEMPO Board of Directors Announced
4. Google Checkout Australia Coming Soon?
5. Google Ordered To Change AdSense Contract By South Korea's Watchdog
6. Google Steps Up Web Page Malware Notifications
7. Microsoft To Buy Health Search Engine Medstory Inc.

Posted at 4:57 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Via Digg, over 2,200 Diggs at this point, a MacBook Pro got shot but it still works.

The picture was originally hosted at Flickr but it seems to have been deleted. I suspect due to all the traffic that photo received from Digg.

Wired posted a copy of the picture, which I then posted here.

Supposedly, the MacBook Pro got shot while in a Brazilian mugging, saving a life. I doubt it.

Posted at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Just Weird | Comments (0) (0)

This title look familiar? It is, I wrote about it less than two weeks ago when it snowed last time. But I made progress.

I got my car out about a few hundred feet before I got stuck. I was luckily able to get my car back into its parking spot and then drive my wife to the bus.

But again, my car is left stranded in the parking spot. If there is a little hill and I have to go up in it slush or snow, it won't happen. I can go down hills or even drive on snow when it is flat, but up hills, forget it. No matter if I had speed or not, I could not make it up the hill.

I thought maybe after getting four new tires and renewing my nys inspection, I would have better luck. But no.

So I have my wife's car - good thing for it. Thank you wife!

Posted at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle , Weather | Comments (0) (0)

I am crazy, I know. I actually purchased a PlayStation 3 Saturday night and had to go to a different store to find a sold out Madden 2007.

The graphics are very nice, very. Thing is, I don't have much time to play.

I think I am going to set up a "Game Night" at my house for a few of my friends. Maybe a Saturday night. I joked with my wife that the wives can cook up food for us while we play.

I played a couple of games with my favorite team, the Jets. Wow, I am so bad. But I assume that will improve over time.

Will I keep this device? Totally depends on if I have time to play. I can return it within 30 days. I am not the type to return things. But this was expensive and if it just sits and collects dust, I think I will return it.

Posted at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Category: Buddies , Computers , Homey | Comments (6) (0)

This is the February 23rd issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 23, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 22, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Searchmob Roundup, John Battelle's Searchblog
• The Secret to Mastering Google’s Local OneBox Results Real Estate Marketing, blAAwg
• Large Networks Adding New Editorial Content Formats, SEO Book.com
• Large Networks Add New Editorial Content Formats, WebProNews
• Image of the Day, Googlified
• Yahoo! has Nasty Sausage Ingredients, Apogee Weblog
• My Plan to Out the SEO Sheisters…Are You With Me?, Marketing Punk
• A Ripe, Juicy Roundup, SEOmoz
• Algorithm Update At Google?, TheVanBlog
• Google AdWords Quality Score Algorithm Update Now Live, Morris Moralde Home Page
• Google Tracking Clicks, Are Rankings Affected?, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Major Microsoft adCenter Bug Costs Millions, Search Engine Land
• Google sends out Mini Fridges to select people, Trip Hop Clan
• Microsoft Adcenter CPC Bug, PPC Blog
• links for 2007-02-23 at Past is prologue, Clopin
• Microsoft Search Center Printing Its Own Money?, Shaving Occam
• Microsoft Adcenter CPC Bug, WebProNews

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 23, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (1) (0)

Microsoft had a big bo-bo with adCenter. I gave some Yahoo geo targeting tips. I wrote about the Google personalized search patent. Yahoo now highlights keywords in the cache. I showed some possibly deceptive AdWords trick. You cannot remove words from the Google Custom Search Engine. I looked at the numbers behind your feeds. Todd wrote on the new SEO game. Google posted on robots.txt. Google China auto suggestions by default. I looked at top 25 web 2.0 companies. And Yahoo improved movies shortcuts. Good weekend.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Geo Targeting Tips With Yahoo! Search Marketing
2. Promoting Google Referral Products Using AdWords & Google Pages
3. Google Patent Application On Personalization & Removing Documents From Google.com
4. Yahoo! Search Now Highlighting Keywords In Cache Results
5. Microsoft adCenter CPC Costs Spike: Known Bug
6. Can You Remove "Google Custom Search" From Search Box?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. The Numbers Behind Your Feeds
2. New Search Engine Optimization
3. Google Explains The NOINDEX, NOFOLLOW, NOARCHIVE & NOSNIPPET META Tags
4. Search Suggestions The Default At Google China?
5. Top 25 Web 2.0 Start Ups To Watch
6. Yahoo Search Improves Movie Shortcut Results
7. Major Microsoft adCenter Bug Costs Millions

Posted at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Diamond Vues points to a Binary Wedding Band from GreenKarat.com.

The ring in the picture reads "A Marriage of Values."

But you can have almost any message you want on your ring, well - in Binary.

I would wear one of these puppies, just like I would wear the anniversary reminding ring.

But honestly, I would prefer the binary ring, if I had to wear a ring. Which I do not.

Funny, because I just came back from the bank. The banker asked me if I was married. I said yes. He asked, you don't wear a ring? I said, correct.

Posted at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Category: Family , Just Interesting , Shopping | Comments (3) (0)

This is a question I get every now and then. For some background, my search blog, Search Engine Roundtable, reports on the "pulse of the search marketing community." What that means is we try our best to find our article stories directly from the search community, within search forums.

People often wonder how I and the crew find our threads. Well, I am not going to give away all my secrets but I will tell you some basics.

Every morning, normally between 6:45am and 7:45am (EST) I do my "forum research." This includes a bunch of things.

How Do I Find Good Search Marketing Threads:

(1) I go to my preferred forums first; they include:

• Search Engine Roundtable Forums
• Cre8asite Forums
• DigitalPoint Forums
• Search Engine Watch Forums
• WebmasterWorld

(2) I scan all new posts from the last time I visited the forum. I try to spot quality signals from these posts. Quality posts have certain signals:

• Descriptive titles
• Nice number of responses relative to post data and forum membership numbers
• Thread creator is long time contributor
• Thread commenter(s), those that reply, are long time contributors
• The thread views are high, relative to data and membership
• A search representative participated in the thread

Don't get me wrong, these signals are just that, signals and they do not work 100% of the time. So some times you got to go with your gut and dig deeper yourself.

(3) If content is low, I then go to my secondary search forums list and do the same in step two.

(4) I then have some tricks to find some really hot threads, but I cannot share those tricks.

(5) I rarely ever get people submitting a thread to me. I wish I did. But people rarely use the submit a thread form to inform me of good posts. And I rarely ever get notifications from forum moderators or administrators of quality threads. So this is an open invitation... Please use the submit a thread form to send us quality threads - don't worry if you are unsure - we won't yell at you. But if we do use your submission, then you are likely to get link credit...

That is how I find some of the threads I post at the Search Engine Roundtable. Again, I didn't list my secrets, and I doubt I ever will, but there is some information for you.

Posted at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind , SEO Tips | Comments (9) (0)

My client is running a contest to win a free diamond circle pendant. All you have to do is submit an idea for a name for a new blog to be hosted at their e-commerce site's domain.

Currently the client has a blog at Diamond Vues, where they talk about new diamond things, industry news and so on. At their new blog, they want to talk more specifically about "loose diamond articles and information."

Thing is, they need a name. So here are the details on how you can win...

This diamond pendant by Excel Diamonds.com features a 3/4 diameter circle pendant, prong set with .25 carats of dazzling G color, SI clarity diamonds in 14kt. white gold. The piece weighs 2.8 grams and includes a 16 inch white gold cable chain. The winner will receive this diamond pendant in a beautiful presentation case.

If there is more than one entry for the winning title, we will choose the earliest entry and to the best of our abilities. You may also feel free to enter your submission in our comments section on the blog posting itself. This will afford you a time/date stamp for your entry(s).

The poll ends on March 23, 2007 at 9:30 EST.

So help them out, they are good guys, and submit an idea or vote for a current idea.

Posted at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Category: RustyBrick | Comments (1) (0)

Last week I wrote about a late night Digg and explained that it sent me about 3,500 visitors or so, it actually turned out to be a few thousand more the next day. But let me tell you, a late afternoon Digg sends a hell of a lot more traffic than a midnight Digg.

Yesterday I wrote a story named Google Sending Out More Google Coolers To AdWords Advertisers. Later I saw it was Digged by some user, so I dugg it myself. Then early afternoon it was made popular, and forget about it. Here a screen shot of the Digg at this point in time.

Digg sent me over 17,000 visitors just yesterday from an late afternoon home page Digg placement.

Worthless traffic? Probably... But I bet the advertises like the extra eye balls on their ads...

Posted at 6:57 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

I think everyone was thinking it would snow last night.

Luckily, it did not.

But instead, it looked like it "salted" last night. All the streets here are shiny and covered with salt from the plow trucks.

I guess they were or are preparing for a snow storm. But I don't see snow on the radar until possibly Sunday now. So I suspect, last night's storm blew over us, and did not touch down in my neck of the woods.

I was going to take a picture of the streets, because they honestly all looked sparkly from all the salt, but I did not. Instead, the pic above is of Morton Salt Plant in Utah by some flickr user.

Posted at 6:49 AM | Permalink | Category: Weather | Comments (0) (0)

I have a client that wants to do some video casts. I am far from a videographer so I was wondering if any of you have advice.

Of course he can buy a web cam, but he wants them to come out nice.

What video camera do you recommend?

What type of lighting?

Anything else I should know about this?

Who knows, maybe I'll do some video stuff myself. But not sure how exciting I can make SEO videos...

Hope some of you have ideas and suggestions. I should probably wait for Matt to arrive in California from Dublin before hinting for an suggestion from him.

Posted at 7:18 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (2) (0)

This is the February 22nd issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 22, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 21, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Google drops SOAP, John Menick's Blog
• It wasn't a quality score update, but it's fixed, PPC Discussions
• Digg’s Solution is not ‘Technical Obscurification’ … it’s Personalization!, Profitable Signals
• Headlines of Note for February 21, 2007, Internet Marketing Monitor
• Medical Emergencies Can Be Fatal Due To Google Maps, Digg
• Google Algorithm Update Under Wraps?, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Search Engine Roundtable Undergoes A Design Change, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Major MSN AdCenter Changes! at Rachit Dayal’s iMarketing Blog, Rachit Dayal
• Minimum Bid Translation To Visible Quality Score, PPC Blog
• links for 2007-02-22, Vinny Lingham’s Blog
• How A Site Is Ranked In Yahoo! Directory, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Des changements dans l'algorithme de Google ?, Portail Express Blog
• Is Google Maps misleading health emergencies?, Kevin, M.D.
• Presidents Day Google Algorithm Update?, SEO delusions
• Google Mini Fridge is back!, Digg
• Should SEOs Avoid Sitemaps?, WebProNews

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 22, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Google's AdWords quality score algorithm is live and will be fully in affect within three days. Some keywords deactivating and activating in AdWords. Google released fee based Google Apps. Google sent out more Google Coolers. Google images reverts to old design. WebmasterWorld launches SMO forum. Yahoo to launch singing news cast. Google shuts down blogger for death threat. A study was released on searcher behavior. Windows Live Shopping beta is closed. Yahoo is redirecting more queries to Site Explorer.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google AdWords Quality Score Algorithm Update Now Live
2. Keywords in AdWords Being Activated & Inactivated Automatically?
3. Google Apps Premier Edition Launches
4. Google Sending Out More Google Coolers To AdWords Advertisers
5. Google Images Now Back With Old Design
6. WebmasterWorld Launches SMO Forum Named Social Media Tagging & Bookmarking Optimization

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Launches Fee Based Google Apps
2. Yahoo To Launch Singing News Show Named "Odd News Underground"
3. Google Shuts Down Blogger After Threats To New Zealand Politician
4. Google To Launch YouTube Content Identification System Soon
5. Buyers & Information Seekers Search Differently
6. Windows Live Shopping Goes Offline
7. Yahoo To Redirect More Search Query Types Site Explorer

Posted at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I kind of turned it into the night I take my wife out for dinner.

Past few weeks, I convinced my wife to go out for dinner on Thursday night. She accepted most of the times. And now, my wife emailed me from work, asking "are we going out to eat on a date?"

I replied, "Are you asking me out on a date? ;-)"

She said, "Yes, but no electronics allowed."

Hmm... Made me pause for a minute.

But she deserves it. And I look forward to it.

Posted at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Category: Family | Comments (4) (0)

Search Engine Roundtable (SER) http://www.seroundtable.com/ 1706 subscribers The Pulse of the Search Marketing Community Please click on the icon on the left to subscribe to my Google Coop! Don't make me beg. All you need is a Google Account. Or just click here to subscribe. Thank you! Barry

Posted at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

More networking widgets spotted, this time via Techcrunch...

That is my LinkedIn profile in a box, more info at http://www.linkedinabox.com/users/941832.

Posted at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

I was messing around with FeedBurner and noticed a Publicize tool named SpringWidgets.

So I quickly created a custom SpringWidget for the Search Engine Roundtable. Here it is:

I think Windows users can then add this as a "widget" in their OS.

Ok, Windows user's download it here and then plug in the feed into the RSS section.

Posted at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

This is the February 21st issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 21, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 20, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Get That Site Back Up Before It's Delisted, WebProNews
• Adwords Fiasco #2: Geotargeting Problems, Searching Beyond the Paid
• Get That Site Back Up Before It's Delisted, Revenue Source
• Googleholic for Feb 20th 2007, Download Squad
• AdWords CPC Price Gouge Bug Fixed?, WebProNews
• SERoundtable Gets Completely Re Designed, Google Blogoscoped Forum
• Search engine love: now they crawl me, now they don't, SEO Theory
• links for 2007-02-21, NOWUSEIT.COM
• Headlines of Note for February 20, 2007, Internet Marketing Monitor
• Change of Server, WebProWorld
• Today’s Links, Drainedge Link Tank
• Pilgrim’s Picks for Wednesday, Marketing Pilgrim
• Yahoo! Glithc Costs Advertiser $42,000, SearchAnyway PPC
• Search Engine Roundtable Redesigns, Search Engine Journal
• Search Engine Roundtable gets Complete Makeover, SearchMob
• What do Successful Bloggers Bookmark?, Everybody Go To

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 21, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

I will be posting 25 posts all within 24 hours. Wow! So I will be very brief with my summary.

Archived the 20th edition of the Search Pulse. Launched a new design for SER. Gmail shows relevant ads. Does Google use click data in ranking? AdSense is testing italics titles. Ask.com renews with LookSmart. Yahoo! advertiser was charged 42 times. Was there a Google search update? Watch out for the Google Maps health issue. The AdWords API won't include quality score. Google Images reverted back to old design. Docs and Spreadsheets is top Web tool. YouTube and CBS are iced. Desktop hole was plugged. Yahoo Japan goes for dinner. SEOs suggest not to use Sitemaps. Google's CSE gets supplemental.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Search Pulse 20: Valentines, AdWords Score, SEO Galore, AJAX, Anchor Text, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Google, & More
2. Version 3 Of The Search Engine Roundtable
3. Google's Gmail Does Show Thematic Ads At Top
4. Does Google Use Click Data For Ranking Purposes?
5. Google Testing Italics Titles in AdSense Ads
6. Ask.com Renews With LookSmart
7. Technical Glitch Charges Yahoo! Advertisers 42 Times
8. Presidents Day Google Algorithm Update?
9. Google Maps Sends Health Emergencies To Wrong Location
10. Google Not To Include Quality Score In AdWords API

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Images Reverts Back To Old Design
2. Google Docs and Spreadsheets Tops Web Productivity Tools
3. Google's YouTube & CBS Deal Caves?
4. Google Desktop Hole Exposed, Fixed
5. Yahoo Japan Betting More On Web Food Delivery Business
6. Some SEOs Suggest To Verify But Not Submit A Google Sitemap
7. Ask.com & LookSmart Renew AdCenter License Agreement
8. Google Custom Search Engine Gets Supplemental Results

Posted at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Last night I launched a redesign for the Search Engine Roundtable, my blog on search stuff. I have information on most of the changes over here, if you are interested.

Old Version:

New Version:

We are working on a few tweaks with some things, based on the many helpful comments and emails. If you see something that is off, please let me know.

Thanks!

Posted at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (2) (0)

Crunchgear mocks AOL's list of Top 5ive Gadgets You Shouldn't Buy.

You have to love the picture on the right from Crunchgear!

No, AOL doesn't say don't buy Dog Dirt. They say don't buy:

• High Definition DVD Players
• PlayStation 3
• Draft N Wireless Routers
• Windows Vista
• 10 Megapixel Digital Camera

I agree, don't buy those things yet, as they said.

But what should you buy?

No, not dog dirt...

PC Magazine's Top Ten Unusual Auto Add-Ons:

• 7-inch Sun Visor DVD Monitor
• Portable Car Shower
• RoadPro 12-Volt Portable Frying Pan
• SmartHome 6-Liter Personal Cooler/Warmer
• Kumho ECSTA DX Aroma
• PimpStar
• Accutire Talking Programmable Tire Gauge
• Programmable LED Car Plate Billboard
• Retro Motion Lamp For Auto
• Flashing Gear Knob

What is sad is that I actually own one of these things and would love to own at least 9 of the other things on this list. ;-)

Thanks Dad for the tip.

Posted at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Interesting | Comments (1) (0)

Just an FYI, I have been in the office since about 6:30am (EST). It is now after 9:30pm (EST).

Hope to leave within 30 minutes...

Posted at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (0) (0)

I was lazy, but I finally got around to replacing the Technorati search feature on the right side bar with a Google Custom Search Engine.

I search this blog all the time, but I find myself never finding what I need to with the Technorati engine. I then see myself going to Google and doing a search by site:www.cartoonbarry.com, to restrict the search to search on pages on this site.

Well, now, I saved myself a step by including the same search on the right hand side.

Yes there are ads, because I can only turn off ads for nonprofit sites. Ignore them if you will.

Update: And they just added supplemental results, which I think, but not sure, is a good thing. I really love the results from the Google CSEs.

Posted at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

This is the February 20th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 20, 2007:

• While You Were Away..., WebProBlog
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 19, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Google AdWords Weekly News Recap, SEOptimise
• Google New York, Google Operating System
• Unique Meta Descriptions, WebProNews
• Una caída del server puede dejarte fuera de Google, telendro.com.es
• 301 Redirect can cause traffic drop, Reaper-X
• Google AdWords CPC Price Gouge Bug Fixed?, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Google Quality Score Update, Bugs & Ad Pause Feature, PPC Blog
• Google Reader passes Bloglines, Media Contact
• It’s Valentine’s Day! Yes, TODAY!, Search Engine Journal
• Blogger Keeping Search Engines Out of Your Site?, Vernon Kesner
• Blogger deleting blogs from Google’s index, Marketing Pilgrim
• Google Buying Video Game Ads Company, InsideGoogle
• Wake up call for web developers: AJAX a no-go for search, SEO delusions
• Check Your Blogger Templates for Existence of NoIndex, NoFollow Meta Tags at Digital Inspiration, Labnol

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 20, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

YTO stands for YouTube optimization, and I linked to some tips on that. Blogger meta tags can kill you. AdSense went black for 30 minutes. I explored the Yahoo! Directory. Click away on the play button on those AdSense video ads. How about some AJAX SEO. Would you let Google drive you around? Google is offering university classes. How about a list of Google products. Viacom signed with Joost, ha ha Google. Learn how to build up your blog community. Some new stats on Google's products were released today.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Default Google Blogger Meta Tag Set To Not Allow Search Spiders In?
2. Google AdSense Overview Page Goes Blank For 30 Minutes
3. How Does The Yahoo! Directory Rank Sites?
4. Google Allows AdSense Publishers to Click Play Button on Video Ads
5. AJAX & Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Let Google Drive Your Car For You
2. Google Teaches Class At University Of Washington
3. Listing Of Lists Of Google Products
4. YouTube Video Tag Optimization
5. Viacom To Sign With Joost Over Google's YouTube
6. Building Your Blog Community
7. New Stats On Google's Products Show Video & Blog Increasing While Froogle & Directory Decreasing

Posted at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Wow, I am basically done now with this whole car thing. Let me take you back.

It all started when my car didn't make it to work with me. In fact, I tried several times to get it out of the snow but it remained stuck. Finally, a few days later I was able to free my lexus from the snow.

But as I drove the car to work that morning, I noticed a yellow thing sticking out of the snow. To my surprise it was a 306B inspection ticket - i.e. I did not renew my NYS inspection.

I figured it was no big deal, since I bring my car in every 5,000 miles for service at Lexus. But I was wrong, I failed my NYS inspection with four bad tires and a pair of bad wipers. So I ordered four new Dunlop SP Sport 5000 DSST CTT for my car and Lexus called me this morning, to let me know I was all set.

Lexus replaced and serviced:

• Wiper blades
• Four tires
• 30G Strip
• Camber adjustment
• Car wash
• Front height control sensor
• Four wheel alignment with thrust angle adjustment

And I was out of there. I then drove to the place that failed me for my inspection, paid them an extra $10 for a "re-inspection" and got my red NYS inspection sticker (one above is from NYS web site). But I was upset, because they took off the wheels to examine them. I was hoping they leave everything as they did after Lexus did their work.

In any event. I called the local Justice Court and I was informed I can mail in $50 money order with the ticket to plead guilty for the parking violation. I do that later today and I am done. Phew!

Posted at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle | Comments (1) (0)

Today's downtime with Bloglines pushed me over the edge and I decided to fire up Google Reader again.

(1) I have updated my Google Reader OPML file to that of Bloglines.
(2) I then went through all recent Google Reader threads and marked them all as read.
(3) I added a bookmark next to my Bloglines bookmark on my toolbar.

Now, whenever I look at one RSS reader, I will then look at the next RSS reader. I calculate it will probably take me 30 - 50% more time to get through my feeds this way. But I am going to do it for two weeks or until I can. This way I can seriously test the two.

Already I have made modifications to Google Reader:

(1) I only show updated subscriptions on left pane.
(2) I switched from expanded view to list view on right pane.
(3) I only show updated subscriptions on right pane.

I am sure I will make more modifications soon...

Yes, Google Reader does place more load on my browser and computer. But maybe it was because I had thousands of unread feeds.

I am willing to give this switch a serious test. So here it goes.

Oh, Google, please find me an Apple Dashboard Widget notifier.

Posted at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (2) (0)

This is the February 19th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 19, 2007:

• Google AdWords Qualitätsfaktor spielt verrückt!?, InternetMarketing News
• Google AdWords — Raise My Bid to WHAT? And Then!, SEMClubHouse
• Adwords: parole chiave troppo costose? Colpa di un bug, Marketing Routes
• Who Loves Money?, JazzcatSEO
• 301 redirect passes Pagerank within some weeks, Seo is Optimized Promotion
• Ultimate Social Media Optimization List, SEOptimise
• Google AdWords Quality Score, dealicious
• Apakah “linkbait”, Szab
• Friday Recap, Bruceclay.com
• How Long Do You Register Your Domain Names, 45n5
• Kid Plays Super Mario Theme Song on Acoustic with Help, Jim's Misc Fun Stuff
• Tак как же Google обрабатывает NoFollow?, SEO-PPC-FAQ
• Google Groups Becoming a Gold Mine for SEO Information, Search Engine Watch Blog
• The 301 Redirect Headache, Search Engine Watch Blog
• The Monday Menu: Blogs to consume for the week of 2.19.07, Prime Advertising & Design Blog
• Unique Meta Descriptions Useful, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Down and Out - Of Google That Is, Site Creations
• Site Down Time Can Remove You From Google Index, 7CM

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 19, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Today I wrote about a possible Google AdSense bug with geo targeting. Google fixed the AdWords pricing bug. Google wants Gmail.pl from Polish poets. Hitwise showed us the truth on Wikipedia and Google's lovefest. Site downtime can delist you in Google. Google tells us about hard drive failures. Docs and spreadsheets is coming to Google Apps. Google is testing Google Finance plus signs in Google.com results.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google AdSense Geo Targeting Break?
2. Google Fixes AdWords CPC Price Gouge Bug
3. Google Wants Gmail.pl From Polish Poets
4. Proof Google Treating Wikipedia Very Well
5. Google Enables Pausing AdWords Ads, Keywords & Sites
6. Site Down Time Can Remove You From Google Index

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Sending Wikipedia A Ton Of Traffic
2. Google Sues Group Of Polish Poets Over Gmail.pl Name
3. Google Issues Paper On Hard Drive Failures
4. Google Docs & Spreadsheets Coming To Apps In Weeks
5. Google Finance Plus Signs In Google Search Results

Posted at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I depend on RSS, I honestly cannot live without it these days. Yes, I know, I have said this before, but RSS has changed my life. Without a stable RSS reader, I am in bad shape.

Since about 10am (EST), Bloglines, my preferred RSS reader, has not updated. Heck, there is a long support thread at Blogline's forums with numbers of complaints.

Bottom-line, a couple hours of downtime I can deal with. But 5 or so hours of downtime in the middle of the day! Well, that is an excuse to switch to Google Reader.

Heck, I should just switch already, since everyone else is.

Or should I give them another shot? Free is free... Google has had their issues with up time. In fact, Ask.com, owners of Bloglines, mocked Google over their downtime. Maybe, it is time for payback from the Google Reader blog?

Please Bloglines, hope your not off for presidents day.

I feel so in the dark!

Posted at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (4) (0)

Friday I told you I failed my nys inspection due to (1) bad wipers and (2) four bad tires.

So my wife, she is great, had off today and she pitched in by dropping my car off at the Lexus place. The Lexus service guy called me within the hour and told me the costs of the stuff. Honestly, I was a bit surprised it wasn't that bad of a rip off.

Getting past the fact that needing to replace 6 tires (so far), after having the car for 28 months. Yea, I know.... But he assured me, Walter is his name, that I would not need to replace them again for the remainder of the lease (obviously outside of potholes, etc.). But he said, I would also have to get a wheel alignment.

He threw the wheel alignment in for free and charged me a reasonable price for the four tires and labor.

The tires go for $299 retail at TireRack.com but he didn't charge me much more than that, so I thought it was cool. Plus he is charging less than the the place I brought the car for the inspection.

And they are throwing in a car wash, which the car needs sorely - due to all the salt from the snow that buried my car.

I don't think I'll publish the prices on the site but I am getting:
- Windshield wipers (which I felt worked perfectly fine)
- Four tires
- Wheel alignment
- Car Wash

I should have the car back today some time.

But an added bonus, my wife got to pick a loaner car. She is driving around in a Lexus RX right now and wants to keep driving it all day. So I guess I'll get my car back tonight, after she swaps the cars back.

Then some time tomorrow, I'll have to get a re-inspection for $10.

Only then can I deal with the nys inspection ticket.

Remind me when I am blogging about getting a new car, to make sure not to get a rear wheel drive, low profile tire, sports car. I do like the GS but I got about a year to decide...

Update: So they call, they tell me the car is not being too cooperative. They had to replace a caster or chamber because it was frozen. The wheel alignment is not 100% and they want it to be 100% before they give it to me, they have been trying all day... They had to replace a piece for the headlights. Plus some other things.

Bottom line is that they need to continue working on it tomorrow. They promised me it won't cost any more. But they need to keep it overnight. I got the loaner car, so I said, no problem.

Posted at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle | Comments (1) (0)

The PleoBot blog spotted that Ugobe, the makers of the Pleo, is giving away 10 free Pleos.

How do you win?

Well, they are throwing an essay contest and 10 lucky, skilled, creative writers will win a new friend.

In 250 words or less, write an essay on the topic of “How do you envision robotic life forms influencing or touching your life in the next five years?”

The contest starts now and runs until March 3, 2007. You can submit your essays here and some more contest rules here.

My past blog entry on the Pleo is here.

Posted at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Interesting | Comments (0) (0)

So as some of you know Google Reader Reporting Subscriber Numbers (official announcement) and of course, the awesome FeedBurner announced they will begin showing the subscriber statistics Saturday.

So I login to check out the numbers and I was blown away. At what point did Bloglines, the most popular Web based RSS reader, get blown away by Google's personalized home page and Google Reader?

The chart above is from one of my two RSS feeds I manage at FeedBurner for the Search Engine Roundtable. You can see that my number one RSS subscriber base comes from Google Feedfetcher.

Feedfetcher is how Google grabs RSS or Atom feeds when users subscribe to them in Google Reader or the Google Personalized Homepage. Subscriber counts include Google Reader and the Google Personalized Homepage. Feedfetcher collects and periodically refreshes these user-initiated feeds, but does not index them in Blog Search or Google's other search services

So Feedfetcher combines both Google Reader and the personalized home page. I would love to see them broken out. But anyway...

Bloglines is only 19% of the share. So Google has 19 point higher share of my RSS readers. Wow.

What also surprises me is that 9% of my RSS subscribers prefer email notifications. FeedBlitz is the RSS to Email service I use to enable people to easy request email subscriptions over RSS subscriptions. That is the third most popular way to subscribe to the blog. Outside of reading the site at the main web page, people opt for Google, then Bloglines and then email.

Again, this is looking at one of my feeds, I have two - but this is the more popular one.

I did not yet switch from Bloglines to Google Reader, I don't think I will any time soon. Main reason, I am on a Mac browser and Google Reader really kills the browser with all the JavaScript and AJAX stuff. I am also not on a slow Mac, I am on a MacBook Pro with 2GB of RAM and a nice dual processor.

I am still kind of blown away by these numbers. Google, Bloglines, then Email. Wow.

But yes, I will say it again, RSS has changed my life.

Posted at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (3) (0)

My car saga continues...

So my wife dropped off my car for an inspection today - thank you wife!

I get a call that I need all four tires replaced and new wipers.

I heard horror stories about non-Lexus dealers installing tires on my car and totally ruining the car. Since these tires are kinda special - run flat, high profile, etc.

So I told them I'll pick it up and bring it to Lexus.

So now, the car is picked up - thanks wife and Dad (currently on conference call for past 1.5 hours).

Monday I have a scheduled appointment at the Lexus place to replace all four tires and wipers.

Then I need to bring the car back to get "re-inspected."

After I get the inspection approved, then I can pay the fine for my inspection ticket.

Next week, Ill share with you the ridiculous cost of these damn tires, that I already replaced once.

Posted at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle | Comments (3) (0)

This is the February 16th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 16, 2007:

• Cloaking - Hate The Grind, Blackhat SEO Tricks
• Google Update, Index Update?, Web Analytics World
• Max out links on a page?, SEO Chat
• Google Broken: Supplemental Pages Not Being Parsed And Indexed, SEO Theory
• 301 Redirects Pass Google PageRank In Two Weeks, Unofficial SEO Blog
• Contact Google Via Legal Action: Texas School Left No Options?, Search Engine Land
• Google has Launched Pay-Per-Call in India, The Praized Blog
• Secrets of the H1 tag revealed, Cornwallseo.com
• Warum die Meta Description einzigartig sein sollte, Prometo
• Google Index Update?, WebProNews
• Google AdWords — Raise My Bid to WHAT?, SEMClubHouse
• Personalization, localization, and remote storage, Greg Linden
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 16, 2007, Search Engine Land

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 16, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

What a crazy crazy day. Fifteen plus blog posts for me today, while doing a billion other things.

I covered some SEO topics; meta tags, anchor text, title tags and local stuff. I wrote about Yahoo suggestion boards. Also talked about three AdWords bugs. Google bought Adscape. Yang donated 75 million dollars. Yahoo Korea's CEO resigned. Some Texans are searching Canadian style. And more...

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Why Should You Use Unique Meta Descriptions?
2. Yahoo! Does Digg With Suggestion Boards?
3. Google Advertiser Charged For Paused Campaign in AdWords
4. Google AdWords Professional Verification Seal Now Working
5. Internal Anchor Text - Making Site Wide Changes
6. Major Google AdWords Bug With Quality Score Increases CPC Prices

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Buys Adscape For $23 Million
2. Yahoo's Jerry Yang Donates $75 Million To Stanford University
3. Aaron Stanton Earns Meeting With Google?
4. Yahoo's Sung Nak-Yang, Yahoo Korea CEO, To Resign
5. Contact Google Via Legal Action: Texas School Left No Options?
6. Pause Individual Ads or Keywords In AdWords But Are There Bugs?
7. Google Local Search Algorithm Explored
8. Title Tags, An SEO's Most Trusted Friend
9. Google AdWords Quality Score Has Major Bug

Posted at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I was driving to work this morning after freeing my Lexus from the snow trap and I noticed a little yellow thing in the lower part of my windshield. It was buried in snow and ice, but I could make out the letters "tion" sticking up.

So when I got to my office I dug a bit and then took a picture:

I noticed it was a parking ticket of some sort. So I began digging it out and after a but of work and ripping the ticket a bit, I was able to get to it.

I brought the ticket upstairs to my office and let it defrost a bit. I actually thought of maybe putting it in the microwave, but decided not to.

After it defrosted I opened it up to find out I forgot to renew my New York State inspection and I got a ticket for violation code 306B.

I called the court and they told me it would cost $130 or so, since I was overdue by 30+ days.

So now I need to get my car inspected and pay a fine.

See, you find nice surprises in snow.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle | Comments (0) (0)

Well, not free as in money, free as in mobile. I finally was able to get my car out of its snow trap.

What did it take?

- A new shovel
- Digging around the car
- Digging under the car
- Ice scraping really close to the wheels
- Rocking back and forth
- Calling my brother to push on the car

And I am out after three attempts and about 1 or 2 hours of work.

Oh, and if you are family and friends and find the title of this post weird... I am hoping people search on Free Lexus SC 430 and for this post to rank well for that term. Then you see those ads at the top of the page and under the post? Well, they should be targeting keywords such as Lexus and similar keywords. If someone clicks on those ads, I may make a dime. After a couple hundred thousand clicks, I may make the time I spent digging out my car back in AdSense income.

Posted at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle , Weather | Comments (7) (0)

This sucks, I downloaded a program named Email Merge X, ran a CSV import into it, and then sent out a bulk mailing and the next thing I knew, my whole address book was deleted.

So I then tried to restore it via my Palm Treo but there was no option to write from Treo to Computer. I can choose only Computer to Treo or synchronize. I selected synchronize and bam, all the addresses on my Treo were gone also.

Very upsetting.

I have a complete mirror back up of my hard drive from Tuesday night. So I hope to be able to restore from that. I will drag the contents of the Library/Application Support/AddressBook/ files into the current one I have on my hard drive. If I mess this up, then I will be very upset.

Wish me luck! I guess that will teach me, never use these types of programs again.

Update: And I am back... I was freakin out so went home early to restore the file. Took me a minute and I am back to where I was. So happy.

Posted at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs | Comments (1) (0)

This is the February 15th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 15, 2007:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 14, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Matt Cutts Speaks Up At SES London, WebProNews
• Ryan’s Radar Feb 14 ‘07, Blog Ryan
• Search Headlines & Links: Feb. 14, 2007, Search Engine Watch Blog
• Google checkout: piccoli ritocchi in corso, Marketing Routes
• Matt Cutts Keynotes London Search Engine Strategies, Enclick Blog
• Slim Chances Of Google Valentines Day Update, Unofficial SEO Blog
• What's happening with Adsense?, The Last Word
• Rand Fishkin's Short Interview with SearchMarketingGurus.com, Search Marketing Gurus
• Google’s “Quality Score” Release NOT About Transparency, SEOrefugee Blog
• Google Webmaster Team Clarifies Nofollow, Search Engine Watch Blog
• What Does Rel=”NoFollow” Mean?, Spam Whackers Blog
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 15, 2007, Search Engine Land
• AdSense invites publishers to display brand advertising ads, gSpy

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 15, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

I wrote a lot of stuff today, since Danny is away again - not sure when he is coming back...

Google will be showing us our quality scores so we can prepare for a new algorithm. Yahoo! search might be doing some type of update. Google is redirecting their public search service to the Google CSE. Google allows comments now on the Webmaster Central blog. Signals pass with 301 redirects within a couple weeks. Google won't follow a nofollowed link. Gmail is officially open to the world. Yahoo officially launched suggestion boards. Baidu reported 400% higher earnings. Sergey Brin's story was told. EFF is going after Viacom's YouTube request. A Yahoo email was leaked. I looked at local ad options with Panama.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google AdWords Adds Quality Score, Budget Analysis & New Algorithm
2. Yahoo! Search Update Now Rolling Back?
3. Google Redirects Google Public Service Search to Google CSE
4. Google Opens Webmaster Central Blog To Commenting
5. 301 Redirects Pass Google PageRank & Signals in a "Couple Weeks"
6. How Does Google Handle The NoFollow Attribute?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Officially Opens Gmail To World
2. Google AdWords Adds Quality Score Column & To Improved Quality Algorithm
3. Yahoo Launches Suggestion Boards - Digg Community Upset
4. Baidu 4th Quarter Profits Quintupled
5. Sergey Brin's Story
6. Electronic Frontier Foundation To Protect Some YouTube Users Over Viacom's DMCA Claims
7. Details On Yahoo's Advertiser & Publisher Group Leaked
8. Local Ad Options At Yahoo's New Panama

Posted at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Winter, snow, cold and wind remind me of ChapStick. So how does a computer guy geek-out his used ChapStick?

Yes, he converts his ChapStick into a USB Drive.

Andrew from The Machinist describes how you can make this happen.

I just bought a new 2GB USB flash drive, and it happened to be sitting on the desk the other day next to a tube of ChapStick.

Spotted via Crunchgear.com.

Posted at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Just Interesting | Comments (0) (0)

I have been blabbering about how much I like my mouse.

Yesterday, I wrote about the battery life cycle of the VX and I was happy with it.

A month or so ago I wrote My New Mouse Rocks - The Logitech VX.

Some commented that it was a bit expensive, I of course agreed and told them to wait for a sale.

Well, Buy.com is having a sale today on the .

Only $34.95 after this $20 rebate.

Hawaii SEO, no more excuses!

Posted at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Shopping | Comments (1) (0)

This morning, I explained that I had to take my wife's car to work because my car was stuck in the snow. I decided to head home early, work from home and try to get my car out.

I shoveled out the back of the car (the car is rear wheel drive). Scrapped the ice from under the wheels and began the cycle of going in reverse.

It didn't go out, so I rocked back and forth. As I did that, the car began shifting horizontally again.

As you can see from the image, the right side of the car, is once again, stuck in the snow.

I think I will wait it out another day and take my wife's car to work again.

Posted at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle , Weather | Comments (11) (0)

This is the February 14th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 14, 2007:

• Google Loses In Belgium Newspaper Case, Techmeme
• In Google News! Thanks friends, SEO Chat
• Headlines of Note for February 13, 2007, Internet Marketing Monitor
• Fakes Blogs, Belgium and Fun Stuff, Bruceclay.com
• Internet Marketing Monitor Review, John Chow dot Com
• Google Sitelinks, Seo Blog
• Blogging Sessions on Search Engine Rountable, Search Marketing Gurus
• Google abandons PageRank for Wikipedia data?, Thoughtlets
• Google Maps Invites Error Reports, WebProNews
• Dear Microsoft - Please get your S*&$ together, Shaving Occam
• How To Take Over A Competitors Google Local Listing, DDoSAttack Likes to Digg
• Google Maps Invites Error Reports, Revenue Source
• Data Quality: The Local Achilles Heel, Screenwerk
• Live Search for Mobile, Kuzbo
• One small step for Google, a smaller step for Mankind, Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search
• Google's Matt Cutts Keynote At SES London, Search Engine Land
• Google Sitelinks Update: The Importance of Navigation, ineedhits
• Google Checkout Gets Even More Annoying (can we opt out?), PPC Discussions
• Matt Cutts Keynote from SES London, Metamend
• DreamHost CEO Josh Jones Proposed via Google, Unofficial DreamHost Blog
• Has the 302 Hijack returned?, Widget Logic

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 14, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Today, Li Evans sent me over two sessions from SES London - great job Li! I reviewed the Valentines Day logos throughout the search industry. Google Checkout has overtaken the Google search results. Site targeting in AdSense will soon also be CPC based. YouTube handed over information to Fox. Matt Cutts rejected the possible Google update. Google scored higher on its GPA than last year. Google Earth added KML search. I also posted last night's Search Pulse archive.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Search Industry Celebrates Valentines Day
2. Google Checkout Button on Google.com Take Over Page Real Estate
3. Site Targeted Google Campaigns To Meet Cost Per Click Model
4. Search Pulse 19: Rand Proposes, Google Sitelinks Update, Search Algorithms, StumbleUpon, SEO, PageRank, Yahoo, Keyword Tools & More
5. Google Gives Identities Of YouTube Users To Fox
6. Possible Google Valentines Day Update About To Take Place?
7. Video and Podcast SEO at SES London
8. A Keynote Conversation with Google's Matt Cutts

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Scores Higher On Forbes Tests
2. Google Earth Adds KML Search Feature

Posted at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Not sure if you remember, but I love the logitech vx mouse. I got it late December and I used the battery it came with (Duracell).

That batter died today.

Not bad, about 1.5 months later.

And I use the mouse around 12 hours per work day. So figured I used this for about 400 - 500 hours on one battery.

A thumbs up!

Posted at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (0) (0)

Yesterday, I decided to submit one of my stories to Digg. The story is named Google Maps Hijack Caused By Google Algorithm: Google Adds Report Map Feature. I then asked all my buddies to digg it, and I got about 22 or so diggs within the first few hours. I then gave up.

OgleTree sent me a screen capture of the Digg home page last night, showing me at midnight (EST), my article was the first item on the Digg home page.

It received 72 Diggs at that point. Over night it earned well over 250 diggs and remained on the home page until about 9am (EST). It is now on the second page.

So how much traffic did I get from the late night Digg home page appearance? Not even as close to as much as one would get from a mid-day Digg home page listing.

I received about 3,500 unique visitors from it, at this point in time. Still not a bad amount of visitors.

If you didn't digg it, you can by clicking on the Digg icon below...

Based on this, I am trying to get Google Checkout Button on Google.com Take Over Page Real Estate on the home page but I doubt it will make it. It currently has:

So digg that also and Ill share the data with you.

Oh, historically, I think this is the second or third story that I have submitted to digg that made it to the home page. I did have plenty of other stories make it to Digg's home page, that I did not submit myself.

Thanks to all you who have helped out!

Posted at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

Remember yesterday, I told you the snow is coming, well, it came a bit later than expected. It started about 8pm (EST) and when I woke up, there was an ice storm. So the snow wasn't high or deep, just very icy.

I try to pull my car out, but it just spun. After trying for about 10 minutes I gave up. It actually did move a large distance. Picture the car just being picked up and put into a parking space on the right. In fact, that is what it did. It slid from one spot to the next - horizontally. I got too close to hitting my car, when I decided to stop and give up.

I decided to take my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee. Wow, is it amazing in the snow. I simply turned it on, backed out and drove to work. It was as if there was no ice or snow on the road.

Of course this is where my wife makes fun of me for buying a car that won't drive in the snow or ice.

Posted at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle , Weather | Comments (0) (0)

This is the 16th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 13, 2007:

• Google Revamps Sitelinks, Search Engine Watch Blog
• Headlines of Note for February 12, 2007, Internet Marketing Monitor
• Google Names Web Categories “Sitelinks”, blackrimglasses.com
• Linkbaiting Explained, SeoBlaster
• Speedlinking 13 February 2007, Problogger
• Why won’t Matt Cutts link to me?, Search Engine Journal
• Using Dynamic Keyword Insertion in Yahoo ads, Search Engine Forums
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 13, 2007, Search Engine Land

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 13, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Today I had some fun with Google Maps incorrectly associating URLs with the wrong local business listing. There was a great mock of the Google home page and I'm Feeling Lucky button. Google Maps China is live. Got a session up from SES London. Google was ordered to pull Belgian newspaper content. Microsoft adCenter reports are a bit delayed. Google sent out duplicate 1099 forms without duplicating the earnings reported to the IRS. Google search results now show malware warnings directly in the results. Wordtracker released a UK keyword option. And don't forget to send your favorite SEO a valentines day card.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Maps Hijack Caused By Google Algorithm: Google Adds Report Map Feature
2. Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" Button To Be Renamed "Wikipeda Result" Button - Joke
3. Google Maps China Now Live
4. European Case Studies at Search Engine Strategies London
5. Google Ordered To Drop Belgian Content Again: Google Appeals Again
6. Microsoft adCenter Live.com Reports Delay Confirmed
7. Google Sends Out Duplicate 1099 Forms But Publishers Earnings Won't Be Reported Twice

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Maps Adds "Report Incorrect Data" Link
2. Google Search Results Now May Display Malware Warnings
3. Wordtracker Adds UK Keywords Option To Keyword Tools
4. Special Valentine's Day Cards For SEOs

Posted at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Now it will be in style to sleep at work. I know a lot of the world takes afternoon naps. Yea, they close their doors in the middle of the day to take a nap or do miscellaneous work. But now there are companies selling what are called Sleep Pods.

The news is buzzing about this, over 600 stories currently, on how sleeping during the day can help reduce heart attacks.

I saw a thing on CBS news last night, On-The-Job Naps Lower Heart Risk. They showed off this company named Metro Naps. Metro Naps sells a Sleep Pod and has dozens of locations around the world for workers to stop in and take a quick cat nap during the day.

Why am I blogging this? Because one of my employees asked when RustyBrick will be installing one of these puppies in the office. I did not answer him.

I wonder who paid for the study stating:

A six-year study of nearly 24,000 Greek adults found those who regularly took midday naps lowered their risk of dying from heart disease by more than a third.

Those who made it a practice of napping at least three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to non-nappers.

SEOs, currently no one is sleep pods or work naps -- do they have an affiliate business?

Posted at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Category: Just Interesting | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (1) (1)

We haven't had that much snow here, relative to other years. So when there are some signs of snow, the news stations go wild over covering it. And with upstate New York reporting well over a 100 inches of snow, I guess it got some worried.

According to weather.com the snow is suppose to start in my neck of the woods at about 3pm (EST). It is suppose to continue snowing until Thursday at 6am. So that is a lot of snow time.

Of course, this can all blow right over and we can see nothing. I am hoping for nothing.

Posted at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Category: Weather | Comments (0) (0)

This is the 15th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 12, 2007:

• What Does the Doctor Read?, Im Not A Doctor
• Friday Search Marketing Favorites, BlueBobbo
• Paid search is too cheap, Internet Financial News
• Friday Recap, Bruceclay.com
• Weekly Roundup, February 9, 2007, Exclusive Concepts
• 8 Facts About Using Google, SearchAnyway PPC
• The Ultimate Guide to Linkbaiting Resources, D-Blogged
• Google Updates Sitelinks, Kuzbo
• Gmail Now Public Beta, Open To All, World SE Information
• Про утекающий PageRank, SEO Блог
• SEO News Blog Update, SEO News Blog
• Neuromarketing & Branding in the Search Results, SEOmoz
• Google Has Just Updated, How Did You Fair?, Online Business Help
• What Are Google Sitelinks?, Search Engine Land
• StumbleUpon & Adsense not a good mix?, YugaTech
• Google Sitelinks, Seo Blog
• Small Pages Ranking in MSN Live Search?, Search Engine Journal
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 12, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Google Sitelinks - Resurrected, Search Engine Lowdown

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 12, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (2) (0)

Today I wrote about Google's Sitelinks feature twice. I also discussed some tips and concerns on relaunching a site. I spotted Google Checkout icons on live AdSense ads. Google is accepting pictures for their AdWords office. GWT referrals have been spotted once again. AdSense was reported down over the weekend. MSN's Live Search is rumored to like smaller pages more than larger pages. Ask.com is leasing a new data center in Washington state.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Version 2: Relaunching a Site: SEO Considerations
2. Google Sitelinks Update
3. Are Google Checkout Icons on AdSense Ads a Thing To Stay?
4. Make It On Google's Wall: Google AdWords Photo Contest
5. Google Appending URLS With GWT & PG?
6. Google AdSense Down Again Over Weekend?
7. Do Small Pages Rank Better in MSN's Live Search

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Accused Of Profiting On Film Piracy: Discussions Continue
2. Ask.com Chooses Central Washington For New Data Center
3. What Are Google Sitelinks?

Posted at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Have to thank Judah over at Diamond Vues for spotting this puppy.

LEDKippah.com is selling Kippah's, the thing some Jews wear on their heads, with scrolling LEDs on them.

A Kippah (כִּפָּה), also known as a yarmulka (יאַרמלקע) is a head covering for a Jewish male. You see it on my cartoon picture above. They came in various colors, styles, sizes and fabrics.

This is the first geeked out one I have seen. So guess what? I ordered one.

They are pretty expensive, but I figured - I'll splurge on this one.

1 - 5 Pieces $20
6 - 24 Pieces $18
25 - 50 Pieces $16
51 - 100 Pieces $15
101+ Pieces $14.50

I think shipping is $10.

I'll let you know when I get it and Ill post some head-shots.

Posted at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Category: Religion | Comments (18) (0)

Every now and then, I get notified via RSS that I have a comment on one or more of my pictures, that I have uploaded to my Flickr account.

Just a few minutes ago, I received an update that I had a comment on the image on the right. The comment was very sales oriented, tell me to contact him to basically earn more than I can with AdSense.

To spam Flickr is not that easy. You have to register a Yahoo! account, find the images you want, and then comment.

I guess you can easily use the Flickr API to locate images you would like to spam with your commercial message and then send out a bot to comment at those images.

I don't think that those comments are nofollowed. But I did not dig deep to see if search engines can technically crawl the comments of Flickr images.

Posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

This site named SEOData.com seems to be scrapping tons of sites. I know I produce a full RSS feed, including comments, but it is not there for people to take my whole post and comments and place them on their own site. Common. Most people just steal the normal (short feed), and I tend not to call them out on it.

But seriously man. Not only are you taking my content (one and two examples), you are taking others.

To make it worse, you are selling a product that helps others do the same thing.

Not good.

Posted at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (7) (0)

On Friday, I noticed that the Search Engine Roundtable earned some Google sitelinks. A search on search engine roundtable or se roundtable or s e roundtable, etc. returns four sublinks under the main result. Here is a screen capture:

Sitelinks were first named Sitelinks on September 8, 2006 by Google. Before that, I thought they may have been named Web categories.

Nice to have those sitelinks, and I would say the four most important links were covered well by Google. More details on Google Sitelinks if you want them.

Posted at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (1) (0)

This is the 14th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 9, 2007:

• Well Done, Pork, The Lactivist Breastfeeding Blog
• When is Optimization Necessary? And for How Long?, Bruceclay.com
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 8, 2007, Search Engine Land
• If You Don’t Leave SEO Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later, SEO News Blog
• YPN and Yahoo Presents, Web Marketing News
• The Enormous Linkbait list, Cornwallseo.com
• Chi non ha bisogno del SEO?, Marketing Routes
• If You Don’t Leave SEO Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later, SEO News Blog
• 25 Signals of Poor Quality Sites, 7CM Online Marketing Tips
• Google’s Link Analysis Feedback, SEO Hong Kong
• Will General Atlantic buy an SEO firm?, Andrew R H Girdwood
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 9, 2007, Search Engine Land

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 9, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (4) (0)

Today I wrote about some fluctuations in Google's supplemental results. Be careful about what you see and what you do. Google told us not to worry about leaking PageRank. YahooSarah gave us some tips on the quality score factors in Panama. StumbleUpon traffic does not appear to be against Google AdSense terms of service. I linked to a long list of linkbait articles. dMarc's founders left Google and are steamed! I covered the big Jason SEO bull debate. Good weekend all!

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Getting Stricter On The Supplementals?
2. Learn By Example Can Be Dangerous: Google AdSense Example
3. Google Recommends To Not Control Outbound PageRank Leak
4. YahooSarah Talks About Yahoo!'s New Quality Score
5. Is StumbleUpon Considered Auto-Surf Traffic & Against AdSense TOS?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. The Long List Of Linkbait Articles
2. dMarc Founders Tuneout Of Google AdSense For Audio Plans
3. 22 Links To Coverage About The SEO Is Bull Debate

Posted at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Just about 10 minutes ago, some guy walked into our office asking if we did construction. You know, like build homes and buildings. Unfortunately, we had to turn him away. As I do every now and then when we get phones calls about it. No, we do not get our hands dirty - we do not build closets, install elevators or design sky-rise buildings.

We do virtual construction - we build out sites, online software and even some games.

Why do people think we do construction work?

(1) Our slogan is "Web Construction At Its Best"
(2) Our company name is "RustyBrick, Inc."

Take a look at our office signage:

I guess that is why the individual walked into our office asking. But it does say "Web" in front of the word "Construction." Hmmmm....

Posted at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Category: RustyBrick | Comments (2) (0)

Last night I attended my first Internet Marketers of New York. Greg Niland aka GoodROI is our leader over there, but Frank Watson aka AussieWebmaster sat in the center chair (and rightly so).

The 18 of us went to Abigaels on Broadway. My second time there, it is a nice kosher place, a steak house - and I think it was OK. I appreciate going kosher this time - thanks Greg!

I missed the first two meetings. Honestly, the first one I totally forgot about. The second one, I was in Israel for. But the third one, I made and happy I did so. For the first 90 minutes, a bunch of us sat at a table and drank beer - well, I didn't, I was the only one who drove to the event. But the rest continued to constantly drink beer - at one point the place ran out of cold beers but they recovered quickly. We ordered steaks and chicken and the rest of the stuff. I got some of the kosher jokes - why don't they serve this or that. All in good humor.

Let me give you the before and after...

Before I left, my wife asked me if I am going to shave. I said no, it is an informal meeting of just people who have similar interests. So I went off to the event looking like a wolf. Not sure if that insulted anyone. :-)

When I got back, my wife asked me:

Wife: So what is this thing.
Me: I told her it is a bunch of SEOs getting together to eat.

Wife: So do you do business?
Me: No, not really. Business is not the focus of this, it is just to get together.

Wife: You get together to do what?
Me: To ear and drink.

Me: Oh, and I am the founding member of this organization.

Wife: So you are a founding member of an organization about eating and drinking?
Me: Um, yea, I guess so.

Posted at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (6) (0)

This is the 13th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 8, 2007:

• Online Maps Gone Wrong, freddie-dot-see-eh
• SEO National Pork Board Approves New Shirt for Breast Milk FundRaising, Cre8pc
• 6 Simple Steps to Blogging, SearchAnyway PPC
• Yahoo Overture Keyword Suggestion Tool is going and going and..., NicheBOT.com Blog
• Google Personalized Search Fair or Unfair??, WebProWorld
• Google Link Analysis Tool, Search Engine Optimization CA
• SEO stuff for various blogs, AZ Dana
• Rands super proposal, mediadonis
• Hijacking Google Local Listings, eWhisper.net
• Misdirecting Google Local, All Points Blog
• Google Penalty? een verklaring voor de minus-950 penalty, chapter42
• Setting up a blog - the SEO angle, Caged Ether
• Gmail Is Now Open To Public, Vernon Kesner
• Google Local Search Piracy, SearchAnyway PPC

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 8, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Thursday brought a nice range of search topics including the report that Ask.com's Ask X logo links to Flickr. I provided a post of some useful keyword suggestion tools. There is a single report of a Google Local business listing being hijacked. We took a look at the minus 950 penalty, where phrase based re-ranking came into play. I gave Google feedback on their new link analysis tool. I archived the 18th edition of the search pulse. I summarized posts on Yahoo! Pipes. I did a collective post on Panama. And I looked out how many millions each YouTuber earned.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Ask X Logo Collection of Web 2.0 Logos at Flickr
2. Listing of Some Free Keyword Suggestion Tools
3. Beware: Competitor Hijacks Google Local Business Listing
4. Google's Email, Gmail, Is Now Open To Public
5. "Phrase Based Re-Ranking" Algorithm To Blame for the Google 950 Penalty?
6. Feedback & Suggestions For Google's Link Analysis Tool
7. Search Pulse 18: Google Link Tool & Fox, Personalized Google, Yahoo Panama Live, PageRank, Site Explorer, Local, Poor SEO & More

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Yahoo Pipes: Letting Non-Programmers Make Mashups & More
2. Roundup Of Feedback On Yahoo's Panama Release
3. YouTube Founders & Investors Cash In Big Time

Posted at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

More fun Vista stuff for you.

First, the Jerusalem Post reports that if you have a Windows OS that is English but you want to buy Vista to run in Hebrew, it won't work. Reportedly, you can only upgrade a Windows OS that is already Hebrew flavored to Vista Hebrew. But you cannot upgrade an English Windows OS to Vista Hebrew. This was not the case with past upgrades.

Second, Tech.Blorge.com reports that if you want to install Vista on your Intel Mac, it will cost you more. Mac users won't be able to run Vista Home, they will have to install Vista Enterprise, which is $100 more than home. So the cheapest version available to Windows users is $199, but for Mac users, it is $299.

Posted at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (0) (0)

John Chow wrote that he was written up in the Vancouver Sun, which has a reader base of 500,000 people, because of his blogging. He posted a picture of the article and after reading it, I was amazed.

A paper spent the time to write up a blogger who pulls in $3,500 per month? That is about $40,000 per year!

I know many bloggers that bring in way more than that from just their blogs, so why choose him?

In any event, the article is interesting, in that he discloses the actual figures he makes from Google (is that allowed), Text Link Ads, and other networks.

Big kudos for him for getting into the press, I am just surprised by the premise.

Shawn Hogan was also written up in the New York Times but that was more focused on Google AdSense's new program (article here).

Posted at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Interesting | Comments (1) (0)

This is the 12th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 7, 2007:

• SEO When Setting Up a Blog, Earners Forum
• Google shows personalized search results, Optimized Promotion
• all new, all live and all drunk!, seoFM
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, Feb. 6, 2007, Search Engine Land
• Merchants Reject New Google Base Attributes, WebProNews
• Ask Points, Laughs At Google's Failures, WebProNews
• Big News & Little News, SEOmoz
• Беклинки в Google, This Is Hot
• Merchants Reject New Google Base Attributes, Revenue Source
• Is Google Getting Too Personal?, Jason Bartholme's SEO Blog
• Holy Crap! SuperProposal Guy Is SEOmoz's Rand Fishkin!, InsideGoogle
• I Want To Marry Her!, He Proposed!
• Google Maps API, Google Groups
• Tonight I Proposed to Mystery Guest, SEOmoz
• Free Wordtracker Keyword Tool, JazzcatSEO
• Rand Fishkin and his Super Proposal, Online Marketing Blog
• To Sell or Not to Sell?, Bronte Media
• Now THAT'S a Super Proposal!, McAnerin Muse
• Validation Errors on Google's Home page, Rock and Roll SEO
• Yahoo Search Marketing's New Ad Ranking Algo, Searching Beyond the Paid

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 7, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Today I wrote that Rand Fishkin proposed to his long time girlfriend in a super way. Google.com has been spotted to have 60 plus validation errors. I asked, is there a time when SEO is not needed? Live Search released their SOAP API out of beta. We have some early feedback on Yahoo!'s new ranking model. Google Maps in Australia is often sending you in the wrong direction. Gmail is now a public beta. Google will roll out fee based apps. Eric Schmidt when to Washington DC. Yahoo added features and promotions to search builder.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Randfish Proposes To Girlfriend on Veronica Mars
2. Google's Home Page Has 67 Validation Errors
3. When Is Search Engine Optimization Not Required?
4. Live Search SOAP API Now Out Of Beta
5. Early Feedback on Yahoo's New Ranking Model for Paid Ads

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Maps Australia Turns 30 Second Walk Into 18 Minutes Drive
2. Gmail Now Public Beta, Open To All
3. Google To Roll Out Fee-Based Google Apps?
4. Google Sends Mr. Schmidt To Washington
5. Live Search SOAP API Out Of Beta
6. Yahoo Adds Featured Search Builder Sites Box

Posted at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I have been posting less deals, but I ran into this TV deal, for a sweet looking 32 inch HDTV that is only $499 after rebates, including shipping. The with this $150 rebate and free shipping, seems too good to be true.

Deal is, I couldnt find any reviews on it.

Anyone know of any reviews?

Posted at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Category: Shopping | Comments (4) (0)

David Pogue of the New York Time has posted a video comparing the new Windows Vista to Apple's OS X operating systems.

I wish I could embed the video here, but I can't.

So go to NY Times to watch it.

Very funny.

Posted at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (0) (0)

Remember when I asked and a ton of the SEO community asked for you to vote yes for my super proposal idea? And then vote again at AdWeek? Well, the guy behind the proposal idea is Rand Fishkin of SEOmoz.

He proposed to his long time girl friend last night. Pretty cool Rand!

This is the video proposal:

But if you want to see the 3 minute reaction, wow, check it out here.

If I would of shown my wife's reaction to my proposal, wow, well, I would have been in big trouble. Thanks for sharing, it is classic.

Rand and Geraldine - from Yisha and I, we wish you a happy and healthy long life together!

Behind the scenes, Joe Morin, did a ton of the work getting the word out on the Super Bowl idea. It did not come through, but it is just amazing how much publicity he got around the idea. That is the SEO community, Joe and a bunch of us - helped out as we could, to promote the idea. You can see a longer article on it at Seattle Pi.

Posted at 6:47 AM | Permalink | Category: Buddies , Buddies | Comments (0) (0)

If you read this, this is the only place I am putting the news that Vanessa Fox is 99% likely to come on the Search Pulse tonight to talk about the new link tool in Google Webmaster Central. This is the 11th issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 6, 2007:

• Old Yahoo Search Inventory Tool Returns, Rimm Kaufman
• Quality Algo Arrives For Panama In The US, PPC Blog
• 18 mistakes that kill startups, Himanshu
• Monday, February 05, 2007 - Besting Adwords (and Adsense), KB Cafe
• Local Ads Now Appearing in Google Earth, MarketingVOX
• Receptional gets a Technorati Definition, Receptional
• 25 techniques pour perdre la confiance de Google, Le Blogueur
• Google's Pen Flatlines For Ask, Parody Of Recent Capacity Problems, Search Engine Land
• Google's Debated Penalties & Filters Roundup, Search Engine Land
• Google Base Attributes Redefine Online Shopping, Search Engine Journal
• Google shares internal and external links to your websites, Make You Go Hmm

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 6, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (2) (0)

The big news of the day is that Google released a tool in Webmaster Central that shows you your link information. I wrote about SEO tips for your blog. I explored the question, can you compete with Google? Froogle has a new Google Base data feed requirement. Ask.com mocks Google's troubles with a troubled pen. Andy Hagan blew us out of the water with a linkbait article. IAC reported earnings. I did a roundup of Google penalties and filters. Finally, take the JupiterResearch survey for SEMs.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Setting Up a Blog - Some Things You Should Know From an SEO Perspective
2. Google Webmaster Central Adds Link Analysis Tool
3. Competing Against Google in the Google.com Search Results
4. Take The JupiterResearch Search Marketing Executive Survey
5. Google's Froogle (Google Base Uploads) To Require Specific Fields

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google's Pen Flatlines For Ask, Parody Of Recent Capacity Problems
2. Hook Linkbait With The Right Headlines
3. IAC Earnings Drop But Ask.com Grows
4. Google's Debated Penalties & Filters Roundup

Posted at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I am a Mac user, but I found Charlie Brooker's I hate Macs rant to be very entertaining.

I hate Macs. I have always hated Macs. I hate people who use Macs. I even hate people who don't use Macs but sometimes wish they did. Macs are glorified Fisher-Price activity centres for adults; computers for scaredy cats too nervous to learn how proper computers work; computers for people who earnestly believe in feng shui.

Charlie, I am a Mac user but I don't hate PC users.

Charlie argues, "Ultimately the campaign's biggest flaw is that it perpetuates the notion that consumers somehow "define themselves" with the technology they choose." So you hate me, because I choose a Mac? Or you hate me because you think Mac users feel they are superior to PC users?

In any event, I love you. But, like you, I hate those Mac commercials.

Posted at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Just Funny | Comments (0) (0)

Like I reported this morning, Google Webmaster Central Adds Link Analysis Tool and I shared the most linked to articles at the Search Engine Roundtable. But I figured I share the most linked to posts at this site, via the Google tool.

1. Which Search Blogs Am I Most Likely To Read In More Detail? with 87 links.
2. How Much is Link Bait Worth? with 61 links.
3. Cartoon Barry Growing So Quickly: 2006 Stats with 56 links.
4. To Get the TiVO Series 3 Or Not? with 53 links.
5. Washington Post Text Links, GoogleWifi, Google Update, Levi Checkout, GOOG Sales, Google More or MSN No Links with 44 links.
6. Pulse 13, Ask X, ODP, AdSense Referrals, Quality Score Updates, Social Links, Google Checkout & Searches in Court with 39 links.
7. My Feelings On SEJ's Best Search Blogger Award with 39 links.
8. Digg, Google, AdWords Rep, AdSense Images, Reader Trends, Calendars, Askville, YouTube & Tips Down with 38 links.
9. If You Like Me, Please Vote For Me :) with 35 links.

You may notice that the tool has been pulled at the moment, but Google will add it back. Because there was a loophole where you can get data from other sites, that are not yours.

But when it comes back, Google should the index stats page to link the link command advice to the new tab.

Cool stuff Google. Of course, Yahoo! had a link tool for a while, named Site Explorer.

Posted at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

This is the tenth issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 5, 2007:

• Friday Recap, Bruceclay.com
• Google Flatlines Again, Techcrunch
• Even google goes down, from time to time..., NI-Limits Blog
• Google Outages, Internet Marketing Blog
• Adsense now pays for Adwords and Adsense referrals upfront, april82.com
• Google’s Recent Problems, Jimmy Daniels
• Overture Keyword Tool Is Back Online, SEO News Blog
• Friday, February 02, 2007 - Besting Adwords (and Adsense), KB Cafe
• The Most Awaited AdSense Release 2007, SBWire 
• Brèves Google: frictions avec Viacom; coupures de services; renégociations avec Fox Interactive, TechCrunch en français
• Network monitoring not required for Google, World and Web
• Google Building Mini-Ad Networks, InsideGoogle
• Following the NoFollow, SearchAnyway PPC
• AdSense invtes publishers to display brand advertising ads, gSpy
• Google Adsense Custom Placement Packs Program, Quick Online Tips
• 25 techniques pour perdre la confiance de Google, Par Aurélien Bardon
• Personalized Google Search Shakes Up SEO & Invades Privacy, SearchAnyway PPC
• Has MSN Able to Right the Ship?, SEO Hong Kong
• 25 cosas que no debe hacer un webmaster, cGrau

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 5, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Google is now giving you personalized service without you specifically asking for it. Panama's quality ranking algorithm should be live really soon. AdWords statistics were down Friday. YPN allows for 3 ads per page. Microsoft's Live.com after two years. YouTube pulls videos based on Viacom's DMCA requests. SEOmoz launches YOUmoz. Google introduces us to their click fraud team. UK mobile operators to compete against Google and Yahoo mobile. Searching for the Super Bowl can be a bit surprising.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Your Google Search Results Are Personalized
2. Yahoo! Search Marketing Now Ranked by Quality Score: Welcome Panama
3. Yahoo! Publisher Network Now Limits Three Ads Per Page
4. Google AdWords Analytics Down Friday
5. Microsoft Search: Live.com Now 2+ Years - How They Doing?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. YouTube Pulls Videos That May Not Violate DMCA Law
2. SEOmoz Launches YOUmoz Group SEM Blog
3. Google's Click Fraud Team Writes On Commonly Raised Concerns
4. Major UK Mobile Companies Look To Start Mobile Search Engine
5. Searching For Super Bowl XLI

Posted at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I was checking my statistics for this blog a few minutes ago and I noticed I received a surge of traffic on Sunday, a day where I typically get no traffic.

Here is the data:

##################################
# Report: cartoonbarry.com
# Report Name: Search Terms
# Date Range: 02/04/2007 - 02/04/2007
##################################
superbowl marriage proposal 152
superbowl wedding proposal 72
super bowl marriage proposal 51
super bowl wedding proposal 18
marriage proposal super bowl 11
chicago bears cartoons 8
superbowl marriage proposal ad 6
`super bowl marriage proposal` 6
super bowl marriage proposal ad 6
2007 superbowl marriage proposal 5

Most of those search referrals came from Google. Pretty amazing that a post I wrote about on January 3rd can drive that much traffic in one day.

Total Pageviews on that page yesterday: 580.

Posted at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

Over the weekend, the Rabbi at the synagogue I attend gave a speech Friday night about integrity and intelligence. In the orthodox-Jewish world there is a principle that if someone who has very little or zero integrity says something intelligent, and you want to repeat it - you should not use the person's name. So if Mr. X said something smart, but also commits violations to the Jewish law, you typically should say, I heard this in the name of a person from city, state but not mention his name. It gets a bit more detailed then this, but this is a good enough introduction to where I am going with the rest of the post.

As a blogger, it is often very customary to link back to an other blogger when you are writing about the topic. But what if that blogger is someone who is someone with zero integrity? What if that blogger said something that was very wise?

Why would I not want to mention that blogger by name or link to him? Well, I can understand that if I linked to him or mentioned his name that people can also learn more from this individual, stuff that I may not think is appropriate. For example, let's say Blogger X said something smart but he also has a ton of things on his blog that I would find harmful to my readers. Would I want to introduce this blogger to my readers? Would I want my readers in harm?

Now, outside of that. Would I want my link to the blogger show a sign of my approval to that blogger without integrity? Would people feel that if I link to this blogger that I condone ALL of his actions or advice?

It then got me thinking. If I, as a blogger, did not have integrity (I hope I do), would people read this site or my search blog? I honestly, don't think so. As I wrote in my Search Engine Roundtable Code of Ethics; "Basically what it comes down to is a deep consideration of respect towards the industry and the people within the industry."

Do I not link to people I cannot respect in the industry? I do link to people who I may not respect. But would I link to someone that has zero integrity, and I knew the individual didn't have integrity? I honestly don't know. I would definitely think twice before doing so.

Obviously, the degree to how much integrity someone needs is important. Does the degree of intelligence impact the integrity of an individual, when it comes to offering credit? If so, what is that scale?

Now as a search engine, a site with negative integrity (possibly classified as a spam site) might be delisted and never cited for any of its work or it may just rank poorly. Can we use those algorithms to help with this problem? Maybe... OK, now I am seriously rambling... To be continued...

Posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Category: Rambling | Comments (3) (0)

CrunchGear reports that Sling the makers of the Sling Box that allows you to watch your TV from any computer.

Well, it is not just any computer anymore. You soon will be able to watch your TV, live or recorded, on your Palm Treo. They are currently taking applications for beta testers over here.

The requirements include:

• Treo 700p
• Slingbox
• Unlimited data plan

Of course, if you had a Windows Smartphone or PocketPC you can already be watching TV on your phone.

This would come in handy for me when I am shopping.

Posted at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (0) (0)

This is the ninth issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 2, 2007:

• Google’s Adsense serving ads slowly - also reflecting in revenue, april82.com
• MSN Says We Can Catch You Link Builders, WebProWorld
• Das ultimative PageRank-Tool, S-O-S SEO Blog
• Google TV 'hoax' gets viewers clicking, E-consultancy.com
• Earnings & Payments, Google Groups
• Paid search is to cheap!, Joost de Valk
• Keyword Discovery's Free Tool, Search Marketing Gurus
• Pork. It’s what’s for idiots, BlogSchmog
• frailty, thy name is internet, decorabilia
• Google Local Ads In Google Earth, Search Engine Land
• KeywordDiscovery offers free search term suggestion tool, Search Engine Watch
• 25 Signals of Poor Quality Web Sites, Real Estate Blog

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 2, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Today I wrote about Google News and Google Finance being down. Viacom told Google's YouTube that they need to remove all pirated movies - YouTube agreed. Digg dropped a bomb on their top users. I wrote about 10 of the 25 poor quality signs of a site. Overture's keyword tool is back up. Site exclusions work on some but not all parked domains. Google added sponsored ads to Google Earth. Google told North Carolina to shut it. Google AdSense updated their referral terms, better for us.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Site Exclusion Works On Most Parked Domain Sites
2. Overture Keyword Selection Tool Back Online
3. Google AdSense Paying Out $5 Per AdSense & AdWords Referral
4. Google News Goes Black Yesterday
5. 25 Signals of Poor Quality Sites
6. Google Finance Down Now

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Digg Drops List Of Top Users To Curb Gaming
2. Google Demanded North Carolina Stay Quiet
3. SEO Gains Ground, Search Ads Top In Top Performing Online Ad Tactics
4. Google Local Ads In Google Earth
5. Viacom Tells Google's YouTube To Remove Videos

Posted at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

So, the other week, I told you that Ask.com added me as an RSS Smart Answer. I was hoping they add this blog, my personal blog, to the list of other blogs that came up for a search on barry schwartz. Today they did!

You know what that means? A search on cartoon barry blog brings up this blog as an RSS Smart Answer (I am told "cartoon barry" as a search will work next week).

Thanks Ask.com and Gary!

Posted at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Category: Buddies , SEO Tips | Comments (0) (0)

The My Super Proposal guy is at it again, he wrote that AdWeek is running a poll on the right hand side of their site, named "OPINION POLL".

You can vote for "That marriage proposal guy," he is currently the last in the list for me.

But he is leading the list with 35% of all the votes. So let's give him even a bigger edge and vote for him.

Go to AdWeek and vote.

Posted at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Category: Buddies | Comments (0) (0)

I had a dream last night, I don't remember it 100%, but I do remember the theme. Matt Cutts was leaving Google in my dream. It was weird. It seemed to be based in a camp setting, like a camp with wood lodging, but a camp for kids - but adults were there.

For some reason, Matt decided to cook up a storm, even though the camp had cooks. He made this weird egg thing, but a ton of it, enough to feed the camp - but only he ate it.

Then Matt went on a quick trip, I don't remember where.

But when he got back, he crossed out a big sign that had his plans on it, his future plans. It showed that Matt would be leaving Google.

I got serious issues: (1) Dreaming about search stuff. (2) Dreaming about an other man.

Why do I share this? Well, he did take an extended vacation and this time, unlike last time, Google's relevancy wasn't doomed. So does my What If Matt Cutts Left Google? article still apply?

Based on my dream - not as much.

Am I prophet? LOL - no. But how crazy would it be if Matt announced his retirement this month?

Posted at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Category: Buddies , SEO Tips | Comments (7) (0)

This is the eighth issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for February 1, 2007:

• Free Keyword Tool From Wordtracker, SEO Hong Kong
• Google Adwords Keywords Insertion, SEO Builder
• Up Close With Yahoo's New Delete URL Feature, Search Engine Land
• Google's Adsense serving ads slowly - also reflecting in revenue, april82.com
• Microsoft 1 Google 0, Brit Blog
• Google new Google bomb algorithm - How does it affect your web site rankings?, Free SEO News
• WordTracker filling the gap at Utah Internet Marketing, eBay Selling Tip

That is the discussion I have found via Google Blog Search around the posts at Search Engine Roundtable for February 1, 2007. Thank you for contributing!

Posted at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds | Comments (0) (0)

Google released great earnings, but GOOG didn't agree. Is PageRank over hyped, it depends. YPN ads are more unique but less relevant also. Yahoo! was ranked higher than Google in time spent online. Reports of a Google AdSense and News outage today. AdSense paid out $916 million to publishers last quarter. A declined credit card wont hurt your AdWords quality score. Google Fensi, what is it? MyBlogLog's CEO was interviewed. Finally, X Prize is to host kick out event at Google. Google gets shot down over Sydney.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. GOOG - Google's Stock Price Drops as Earnings Rise
2. Forum Members Vote If Google PageRank Score Is "Overhyped"
3. Yahoo! Publisher Network Showing Less Duplicate Ads But More Irrelevant Ads?
4. Google Loses To Yahoo! In Time Spent Online
5. Possible Google AdSense Outage?
6. AdSense Publishers Receive $916 Million From Google in 2006
7. Declined Credit Card Notice Won't Affect Quality Score in Google AdWords

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Fensi: Google's Asian Social Networking Site?
2. Interview With MyBlogLog CEO Scott Rafer & 10 Feature Requests
3. Google To Kick Off X Prize's Next Fundraising Campaign
4. Aussies Turn Out For Battle Of Sydney; Google Gets Shot Down
5. Google News Engine Bugging Out
Google released great earnings, but GOOG didn't agree. Is Page Rank over hyped, it depends. YPN ads are more unique but less relevant also. Yahoo was ranked higher than Google in time spent online. Reports of a Google AdSense and News outage today. Ad Sense paid out $916 million to publishers last quarter. A declined credit card wont hurt your Ad Words quality score. Google Fensi, what is it? My Blog Log's CEO was interviewed. Finally, X Prize is to host kick out event at Google. Google gets shot down over Sydney.

Posted at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Yesterday I shared Which FeedBurner FeedFlares Do I Have Set Up and I had an interesting comment soon after from Matt Cutts who said that he didn't even notice that the Search Engine Roundtable had FeedFlares.

I'm torn. All that flare may pay off for you, but I have developed flare-blindness on SE Roundtable (and SEL), and the sheer number of flare things makes it a real pain when I'm reading SER/SEL posts on my phone in Google Reader.

That is an excellent point, in fact, I offered some sage advice to Danny Sullivan yesterday. I told him to add FeedBurner's FeedFlares to the Search Engine Land site, not just the feed. You know what he told me? They are already there. Doh! And I write there and I was blind to them also. Yes, he told me he will work on making them more visible.

Which got me thinking. How visible is too visible? What is the right level.

On the Search Engine Roundtable, I hide the FeedFlares, which I call "Social Flares" on the entry pages, well under the post, they are easily missed, if you are not seeking them out. Here is a screen capture...

On the home page, they are directly under the "rustybrick in Google AdWords at 8:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) " line. But I assume, they are still often missed.

As a blogger, I do not want anything to distract from the content. Some people don't even realize that the Search Engine Roundtable has banner ads on them... Many people don't notice the flares either. But do I want to put the ads or flares more in your face. No way!

I think I will be keeping my implementation of the Social Flares (FeedFlares) as is for now.

So that begs the question, should new blogs add it if no one sees them? If so, how much effort should they use to put them in your face?

For example, techipedia uses icons, as shown here:

But FeedFlare doesn't allow you to currently use icons... I like the icon implementation.

You see, I am stuck also. How visible should one make it?

What should a blogger do?

Posted at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Category: SEO Tips | Comments (2) (0)

Dad, I know you are looking for a GPS unit. Garmin's are pretty good. This one is on sale now at Buy.com, I honestly do not know if it is a good deal...

It is named the .

Full details:

The reviews are all solid. It doesn't have bluetooth phone integration, which isn't great.

Posted at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Category: Shopping | Comments (1) (0)

Buy.com has two free deals today on small bits of memory.

You can get a free SD Card and a free Flash Drive.

The flash drive is the . Here are the details:

The SD Card is Connect 3D 1GB Secure Digital Card - C3D 4203, I don't have a aff URL for it, but it is still a good deal - being free and all.

Posted at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Category: Shopping | Comments (1) (0)