Showing posts with label search engine optimization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label search engine optimization. Show all posts

Monday, January 17, 2011

Web Search in 2011 : 10 Things to Look Out

1.Google, Bing to offer app search

Smartphone users likely already feel the pull of their respective app store/marketplace as much as if not more than a traditional search engine like Google, if/when they have a particular need.

That, according to Adam Bunn, director of search at Greenlight, is a new frontier for search: the idea that instead of finding a website that will be able to answer your question right now, you’ll go and find an app and install that app because it will answer the question, and questions like it, again and again, in a more usable way (in the long term).

“To maintain any kind of grasp on the mobile user, search engines will need to be able to point out apps that might be relevant to the searcher’s search - and even give them a one-click install option for when the search is being carried out from a mobile with the right operating system. This will manifest as another type of vertical search on Google and Bing, as well as being pulled into the normal results as a universal search element.”


2.Display marketing to mirror 'contemporary' search

Google’s acquisition of Double Click, Yahoo! Right Media Exchange, and Direct Response crossing over; and MSN bringing its exchange to the forefront, as well as offering similar display programmes and formats to search advertisers - is turning what we all once knew as ‘traditional display marketing’ to a very search-like feel to display.

The Ad Exchanges specifically have been pivotal to this evolution, providing real-time bidding and optimisation. It is making advertisers and brands rethink their display strategy and investment - and ask the question, does display have a new lease of life?

“The best example of this was Google’s acquisition of Double Click”, says Hannah Kimuyu, Director of paid search at Greenlight. “It transformed its Content Network into a fully fledged display network (also rebranded Display Network) proving that in fact traditional display (blanket run of network etc) is a thing of the past, and marketers can expect more sophistication, control and results from a new era of display.

Imagine having search-like control with display - moving into 2011 we expect to see more from this new form of display marketing.”


3.Google, Bing competition to hot up

Among other things Greenlight expects:
Bing to imitate Google Instant Preview and introduce image previews of sites, with some additional functionality over the Google implementation such as the ability to zoom or grab and scroll the preview with the mouse to take a closer look before selecting which site is of interest;

Google to introduce a feature similar to Bings Recent Searches only called Recent Pages. It will list the viewers five most recently clicked on search results for easier recollection later on. Data pertaining to how often a site is revisited when in the respective userङs recent pages list will be fed into the algorithm. Expect this amidst a continued advertising push by Bing throughout the year, adds Bunn.


4.Yahoo ‘Rich ads in Search’ may take off

A little similar to Google’s recent introduction of Video extensions via its AdWords programme. Yahoo! has launched its ‘Rich Ads in Search’ (RAIS) proposition.

In summary, RAIS are designed to deeply engage the target audience through images, videos and multiple direct links to the respective site. Unlike Google, Yahoo! is offering permanent real-estate. You buy full inventory over a fixed period of time and are charged on a CPM (cost per thousand impressions).

RAIS is focused on branded search. It aims to highlight a respective brand even further, incorporate its video assets and extends its search functionality including site links and a search function in the ad as well.

The proposition is expected to increase click through rates (CTRs) significantly for brand owners. It aims to take back some of the control/brand visibility lost from affiliates and competitors.

According to Kimuyu, RAIS has to be one of the most exciting things to come from Yahoo in a while. “In my opinion it is a great example of the search networks finally taking responsibility over their advertisers’ brands. Although Google’s version is yet to make its mark, we do expect Google to up its game, especially now Yahoo! has shown its hand.”


5.Web to get content- heavy

The real problem is not that there is too much content, but that there is too much similar or identical content that offers no real value for search engines the second, third or one thousandth time they come across it.

2010 saw Google implement its “May Day” algorithm update, part of which penalised cookie cutter content that is excessively template driven or syndicated to multiple sites in favour of more unique and valuable pages.

In 2011, Greenlight expects duplication filters will get even tougher as the engines take ever more drastic measures to limit the amount of resource they spend on less valuable content and maximise the focus on everything else.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Now Google Will Help You To Communicate With Locals

Google’s prototype language translator, Conversation Mode now lets you communicate with locals in any part of the world.

The translator uses Android phones to record spoken words and then play them back in a different language.

It combines the technology of Google Voice and Google Translate to translate over 50 languages via a speech interface on a smartphone, in comparison to some of the best competitors that can claim around twenty languages.



Like Google Translate, the program is designed to learn over time, reports Discovery News.

GoogleThe more translations you feed in, the better its learning capabilities.

Although Google hasn’t announced the date of release, the translator is expected to hit markets soon

How To Optimize Video For Better SERP Visibility?

More than 35 hours of video content is uploaded to YouTube every minute. This means 2,100 hours of video is uploaded every hour, or 50,400 hours of content is uploaded to YouTube every day.

"If we were to measure that in movie terms (assuming the average Hollywood film is around 120 minutes long), 35 hours a minute is the equivalent of over 176,000 full-length Hollywood releases every week." according to Hunter Walk, YouTube's Director of product management. "Another way to think about it is: if three of the major U.S. networks were broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the last 60 years, they still wouldn't have broadcast as much content as is uploaded to YouTube every 30 days."

So, you will need to learn how to optimize your video for YouTube. Otherwise, the odds that a critical mass of viewers will discover it are slim to nil.

Choose Relevant Keywords

The first step in this process is to think about the words users would type into the YouTube search box to find your video. Choosing relevant keywords can help you get your video content in front of interested users.

You can use the YouTube keyword tool to get new keyword ideas. It gives you a couple of options. You can enter a few descriptive words or phrases, or you can type in a YouTube video's ID or watch page URL. Results can be tailored to more than 40 languages and more than 230 countries.

In addition, the YouTube keyword tool lets you choose the demographic you wish to target. This includes male or female, ages 13 to 65+, applicable countries, and 24 interests from animals to travel.

Although you can use these keywords for advertizing if you want, you don't need to. The YouTube keyword tool can be used to optimize your video for YouTube search, too.

Remember, users are searching for video content, so they're less likely to look for something to buy on YouTube than they are on a search engine. Users search for topics related to what entertains them, so choose your keywords accordingly:

* Names (celebrities)
* Titles (movies, shows)
* Quotes
* Actions/verbs
* Objects in the video (cars, etc.)
* Emotions (funny, hilarious)

When choosing your keywords, think about the trends in online video overall, plus trends on YouTube (hot topics, political awareness, celebrity gossip, and popular videos).

Optimize Your Video Title

The second step is to make sure that your titles, video descriptions and tags actually include your keywords. This will help your videos be discovered in YouTube search results and related videos.

Your video's title can be up to 100 characters long, including the spaces between words. This means your title can be up to 16 words long, depending on the number of characters in each word.
More Video Marketing

* Ad Networks, Content Networks, and the Economy of Syndicated Video
* How to Make Video Content Work For You
* Video: The Next Digital Marketing Frontier

Although you can think of your title as a headline, don't use puns or other word play in this important element of your video's metadata. As Steve Lohr of The New York Times once observed, "There are no algorithms for wit, irony, humor or stylish writing." So, your title should be straightforward enough to be indexed properly and should contain the keyword phrases most important to the message of your video.

If you want to include your brand name in the title, it should always go last. You brand name faces less competition, so put the keywords that face more competition at the beginning of the title, which appears to help in YouTube search ranking.

Your description should be as detailed as possible -- short of offering an entire transcript. It can be up to 5,000 characters, including spaces. This means your video's description can be up to 800 words long.

Include URLs with http:// to other videos, playlists, or your website in your description. This will turn the URLs into a hyperlink.

Optimize Your Tags

Finally, your tags should be as detailed as possible within the 120-character limit. They can include your brand, city, and topics. Consider using your current tags or another user's tags.