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News: Google Ban, Watson Search, Local Search Advertising Boom

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                   SearchReturn Discussion List
            "Understanding Internet Search Technology"
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Moderator:                                          Published by:
Detlef Johnson                                       SearchReturn
               http://www.searchreturn.com
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September 27, 2005                                     Issue #001
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                  .....IN THIS DIGEST.....

// -- MODERATOR COMMENT -- //

        "Welcome Everyone"
                ~ detlef

// -- NEW DISCUSSION -- //

        "Google 30-day Ban"
                ~ Lee Odden
                ~ Moderator Comment

        "Powerful Position"
                ~ Digest

        "Watson 2.0"
                ~ Digest

// -- CONTINUING DISCUSSION -- //

        "SEO Books Galore"
                ~ Andrew Goodman

// -- ESSENTIAL NEWS -- //

        "Search Advertising Boom"
        "Google Remove Experiment"
        "Local Advertising Boom"

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// -- MODERATOR COMMENT -- //

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==> TOPIC: WELCOME EVERYONE

From: detlef

Hello everyone,

Welcome! There is just a tonnage of stuff going on, and we have
plenty of material set to kick off SearchReturn. Thank you to all
who find the time to respond and take part in the discussion. The
list belongs to you.

Take care,
-detlef

 


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// -- NEW DISCUSSION -- //

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==> TOPIC: GOOGLE 30-DAY BAN

From: Lee Odden 

According to posts at Threadwatch and SearchEngineWatch (Blog),
it looks like Google is now sending out "You're Banned for 30
Days" notices to sites that are deemed to have certain levels of
quality content, but that violate aspects of Google's Terms of
Use.

Example slightly edited of specific names:

From: Google Search Quality
Date: 8 September 2005
To: admin@, technical@, webmaster@
Cc: hostingcompany@
Subject: Removal from Google's Index

"While we were indexing your webpages, we detected that some of
your pages were using techniques that were outside our quality
guidelines, ...Currently pages from [url removed] are scheduled
to be removed for at least 30 days."

And a post from Matt Cutts of Google:

"Google is trying out a pilot program to alert site owners when
we're removing their site for violating our guidelines.
JavaScript redirects are the first trial, but we've also sent
a few emails about hidden text, I believe."

We all know Google likes to solve things "algorithmically" so how
many "good" sites will get caught in this filter? At the same
time, it's promising that Google is now making an attempt to
notify sites of any search spam screw ups. But notifying the web
host in the CC? Is that necessary?

Am curious what others think about this?

Lee Odden
TopRank Online Marketing
http://www.toprankresults.com

MODERATOR COMMENT

Threads began at SearchEngineForums, (the site originally
operated by Jim Wilson). Lee had sent the links and full text of
the Google email which is available online in the threads. The
thread links will wrap, so a nice url for them is located here:

http://www.searchreturn.com/digest/refs001.shtml

-dj

 


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==> TOPIC: POWERFUL POSITION

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A Cornell University study was reported on in Jakob Nielsen's
latest Alertbox, and is now making the rounds on search industry
blogs. Highly similar to the eye-tracking study, (indeed using
eye-tracking technology), the findings are not exactly surprising
as a result. A unique approach is what makes this a compelling
and timely study.

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/defaults.html

Of course, the top position gets the most clicks, but the
quality of the listings do seem to count. The difference can be
seen when the top two positions are switched without the user
being aware of the manipulation. The study showed the original
number one position, (placed as number two in the switched
results), was clicked at a rate with a 4% increase over the
original number two listing.

This may be a result of keyword appearance in listing titles
(and other key factors) that go into a top ranking which qualify
for both the position and click simultaneously. While it stands
to reason keywords appear in number two, number one may be more
concise in approach to keyword usage more often than number two.
That's a complete generalization regarding typical result sets.

 


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==> TOPIC: WATSON 2.0

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In a move where no money exchanged hands, Microsoft has struck a
distribution deal with Watson search tool by Intellext. The tool
will integrate with MSN Desktop Search, and likely get precious
real estate in the Vista (Longhorn) OS due out next year. It
currently works with Office products, and Internet Explorer.

Already available as an integrated product, and standalone,
Watson brings information to users through a sidebar with
relevant links. It uses technology feigning artificial
intelligence that monitors what documents, (and even highlighted
text), is in user focus. It does this without phoning home,
allaying any fears up front about privacy issues. This is better
privacy than the Google Desktop Search sidebar.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-watson23.html

 


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// -- CONTINUING DISCUSSION -- //

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==> TOPIC: SEO BOOKS

Why do these authors overcomplicate matters with a huge volume
of text?

From: Andrew Goodman 

The answer, "Andy," is as my publisher explained to me when I
started plugging away on a book in January 2004. Thick books take
up more space on the shelf, and are more likely to get bought.
Thick books are considered to be smarter, so if you make a trade
book, by definition you need to be "smart," so...

...for these reasons, you're supposed to make a thick book.
Authors don't approve book outlines - they create proposals
that eventually get approved by publishers. 100-page books don't
get approved.

Good luck with SearchReturn, Detlef. It looks like you're going
back to the old format with no intervention or monetization from
management and that's no doubt what members wanted all along.

Best,
Andrew

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Andrew E. Goodman
Principal, Page Zero Media
The new book is now shipping!
Winning Results with Google AdWords

 


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// -- ESSENTIAL NEWS -- //

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==> SEO BOOM

Search Advertising Boom:
http://www.iab.net/news/pr_2005_9_26.asp

Essentials: 26% increase over same period last year. Search
driving the online spend, doubling the next biggest spenditure.

 


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==> GOOGLE REMOVE

Google Remove Experiment:
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/remove-result/

Essentials: Social Search has already been coined by Y!. Will the
engines use the information in aggregate to improve overall
search quality by scrutinizing commonly removed sites?

 


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==> LOCAL SEARCH

Local Advertising Boom:
http://www.dmnews.com/cgi-bin/artprevbot.cgi?article_id=34178

Essentials: Local is the next big thing. The engines are all
determined to compete rigorously for the opportunity to win local
ad dollars. InfoSpace just launched their Java-enabled mobile
phone app which uses global positioning to locate cell phones and
offer local maps, directions, and other information including
movie times.

 


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