Free SEO articles, covering organic search engine optimisation and paid internet marketing. http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:46:21 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/images/M_images/rss20.gif http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk Free SEO articles, covering organic search engine optimisation and paid internet marketing. http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=9 Google have recently changed the way in which search results are formatted, to incorporate greater use of both SiteLinks and SiteSearch boxes. In this article, David Viney explores (a) how to get them, and (b) how to manipulate them. He also reviews the SiteSearch controversy amongst big brands. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:27:39 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=9 Over the last six months (or more) Google has been on a campaign to eliminate the scourge of paid links (where people pay highly ranked - and often unrelated - websites to link to their own). In this article, David looks at the ethical issues, the impacts so far (of Google's alogithm tweaks) and the SEO planning points for the future. Vital reading for those who have focused heavily on paid directory submissions. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:40:22 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=9 UK Search Expert, David Viney, provides his 10 top tips to improve the search ranking of your business. This article is soon to feature in Better Business (http://www.better-business.co.uk/magazine.html) - Published ten times a year, the magazine offers a steady stream of practical proven ideas to help business owner/managers take the short cuts to success so they earn more and have more fun. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:40:22 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=9 An incredible 256 million people visited a search engine in December 2006 – 81% of the global Internet population. Neilsen, Hitwise and Enquisite estimate Google’s underlying market share to be in the range of 77-80%. During 2006, Google became the second biggest advertiser in the UK (overtaking channel 4) and UK online sales grew by 50%. Could this represent a peak of Google's powers? This article explores the likely scenarios. Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:46:27 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=9 So how did Google get from a market share of <1% in 1999 to almost 80% today? What is so special about Google and how has it come to dominate the scene? In this article, the third in my search history series, I look at the role of luck, timing and the mistakes of competitors in the rise of Google. I also evaluate the unique technology and vision at the heart of the Google algorithm. Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:32:12 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=9 Did Google always dominate the web search market? In the second of three posts on the history of the Search Engines, I look at the pioneers of the early search market, including the very first web crawler, WWW Wanderer. Did you know that Disney used to be one of the biggest players in the business? Or that Altavista was more technically advanced, in many ways, in 1998 than Google is now? Read on! Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:07:59 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=9 So where did it all start? In the first of three posts on the history of the Search Engines, I look at the history of the internet itself and the forerunners to modern, web-based search engines (in the period immediately prior to the emergence of the first widely-used web browser). In this whistle-stop tour, I take in now forgotten tools like Archie, Veronica and WAIS Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:56:29 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=9 Earlier this month, Google unveiled a new Universal Search system, a radical change to its search results pages that will surface listings from its news, video, images, local and book verticals with much greater frequency. This article considers how the webmaster should respond to this innovation, considering both traditional asset optimisation and specific strategies for Universal Search. Mon, 28 May 2007 21:45:49 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70&Itemid=9 Why on Google Earth am I suggesting optimisation for the world's favourite bit of fun? Well, Google are currently investing heavily in mobile and geographical information offerings, including a new mobile browser and location-based services such as Google Ride Finder Google Transit. As the web becomes ever more local, you should seriously consider optimising your site for Google Earth and the next generation of local search products. Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=9 In China, Google enoys only a 27% market share; very much second fiddle to 百度搜索 (Baidu) with 55%. Similarly, in Russia, Google is in third place, with Яндекс (Yandex) the clear leader. More than 50% of growth in internet users from 2007-2010 is likely to come from these huge countries. Isn't it time to consider a listing on their biggest search engines? This short article looks at what is required to get your site crawled. Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:05:16 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=9 Much has been written about the Google Sandbox effect. Much of what has been written is very suspect speculation! This article sets out to debunk a few myths and answer the most common questions that new site webmasters have. Specifically, I review whether or not the Google Sandbox really exists, how it works and how to escape from it. Vital reading if you have a new website! Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:56:17 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=9 Many UK-based webmasters often ask if there is a list anywhere of directories and search engines based in the UK Ireland. This posting on my blog offers a list of 20 such directories, together with their PageRank (PR), listing type and other comments, including whether, for example, registration is required. A great resource to get your UK search ranking up on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Wed, 17 Jan 2007 07:21:04 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=9 Many UK webmasters find it frustrating that their website does not rank better on Google.co.uk, their home search engine. Research has shown that 3.5 times as many searchers in the UK use google.co.uk than do google.com and, of these, 35-45% regularly check the pages from the UK radio button to narrow down their search. Ranking near the top of these narrowed results is thus a pretty important mission for the UK-based online business! Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:38:19 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=9 In November 2006, Google, Yahoo! and MSN joined forces to support a new industry standard for sitemaps: Sitemaps 0.90 (see MSN announcement (http://blogs.msdn.com/livesearch/archive/2006/11/15/microsoft-google-yahoo-unite-to-support-sitemaps.aspx) here). As long as webmasters follow the protocol, they can ensure their sites are fully and consistently indexed across all the major search engines (a real step forward). This article is important for all those with missing or poorly ranked pages. Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:22:46 +0100 http://www.seo-expert-services.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=9 This blog posting contains detailed instructions for individuals and webmasters seeking to syndicate the SEO Expert Blog content for use in their favourite feed-reader or to display on their own site. Four methods are covered; (a) newsreader subscription to rss feed, (b) updates by email subscription, (c) javascript (own-site) syndication and (d) search-engine-friendly PHP script syndication. Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:52:34 +0100