Internet Marketing | Lead Generation

Google Gets Tough On Link Exchanges

An interesting statement by GOOGLE - that was brought to my attention today by a post at bmyers.com

Google’s newest webmaster guidelines specifically state that if your site is participating in a ‘link to me, and I’ll link to you’ scheme, Google will ban you from their search results.

SEE:
Link schemes

I thought this was particularly interesting:

Creating good content pays off: Links are usually editorial votes given by choice, and the buzzing blogger community can be an excellent place to generate interest. In addition, submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites.

As someone who is spammed everyday by people wishing to exchange links with me (which I reject) I for one, am happy to see this.

Of course it does raise the question as to what is or is not a GENUINE Link - and I can see why two webmasters may link to each other for perfectly genuine reasons.

The amazing Google, the awesome Google does it again - love them or hate them, you have to admit, this is a cracking business!

Look at these for quotes:

“Google’s fourth-quarter revenue rose 67 percent and profit nearly tripled on continued strength in its cash cow paid search business.”

“Google’s net income nearly tripled to $1.03 billion as the Internet giant continues to gain market share in Web search and online advertising. Revenue rose 67% to $3.21 billion, including $976 million in commissions paid to marketing partners.”

The stuff of almost every business persons dream

Ref for this post: http://news.com.com

For those who may have not known:

An Arkansas state judge has given his final OK to a settlement that Google Inc. reached in a closely watched click-fraud class-action lawsuit.

SEE:
Judge OKs Google click-fraud settlement

The interesting bit I feel was the last paragraph:
As part of the settlement, a New York University computer science expert conducted an independent examination of Google’s click-fraud detection methods. The expert, Alexander Tuzhilin, concluded that Google is making a “reasonable” effort to fight click fraud.

“Reasonable” is not the kind of word I would like to see there - How about a “considerable” effort - that just might be a little bit more reassuring.

If you are a google advertiser and opted in to this class action then you will I understand see some (small) credits in your account (based on a percentage of your advertising turnover) some time soon (we hope)

Check the ranking of a web page in Google™ using googlerankings.com - A useful and
free search engine optimization tool.

You will need a Google API Key to use the service - but thats quite easy to set up - get it at

GET API KEY

Also visit: http://www.google.com/apis/index.html

Nice opportunity for UK Children - and a nice thought from the always innovating Google

The ‘Doodle 4 Google - My Britain’ competition asks young people across the UK to design a doodle that represents what it means to be British today. The winning doodle, which will be displayed on the Google UK homepage for a day, will be seen by around 18 million people.

Doodle 4 Google - My Britain

This is the first nationwide Doodle 4 Google competition and is open to every school in the UK.

“Simply Google” - a nice idea - and all one one page

Find links to almost all current GOOGLE service - including links to sites such as http://www.google.com/mars - misc Google Search Services and GOOGLE Blogs

Even some things here that I did not know about

find it at http://www.usabilityviews.com/simply_google.htm

New Web application from Google

Google has launched a calendar application linked to e-mail. This will compete with services from Yahoo and software from Microsoft.

The beta version of
Google Calendar , which can be accessed without a Gmail account, enables users to search for and add events from within the program or through Web sites that use open standards for calendars.

View an excellent video about it at:
CNET News.com’s Elinor Mills looks at some features of Google Calendar
(Wait for the ad to play first)

Barry Dunlop is Founder of Ebuilders Ltd - owners of a portfolio of highly successful Portal Style websites that feature home improvements products, including: conservatories, double glazing, kitchens, garage doors, awnings, conservatory blinds and bathrooms. Their portfolio of sites include the market leading website: Conservatories and Sunrooms Online , a website which enables users to research, amongst other things, styles, materials and types of conservatory construction plus obtain brochures / quotations or find suppliers in their local area.

In 2006 Barry sold a controlling interest in Ebuilders Ltd and while he still has a small amount of involvement with Ebuilders he has decided that his next online business model will be as a “fixer-upper” of websites – a sort of online Virtual Property Development Business that in addition to developing it’s own websites will also buy and re-sell websites. This business is called: MidasCode Ltd

Barrys other interests include: Self Help, Walking, Entrepreneurship and being father to four teenage children.