Google adds rating features for signed in users
I almost had a heart attack this morning. When looking at search results for a client- there were two little boxes next to every listing: Promote and Remove.
This puts the power of the ranking in the hands of the cloud- not in the hands of “Search Engine Optimization” experts.
However, it didn’t take long to do a search- and find the following:
Today we’re launching SearchWiki, a way for you to customize search by re-ranking, deleting, adding, and commenting on search results. With just a single click you can move the results you like to the top or add a new site. You can also write notes attached to a particular site and remove results that you don’t feel belong. These modifications will be shown to you every time you do the same search in the future. SearchWiki is available to signed-in Google users. We store your changes in your Google Account. If you are wondering if you are signed in, you can always check by noting if your username appears in the upper right-hand side of the page.
The changes you make only affect your own searches. But SearchWiki also is a great way to share your insights with other searchers. You can see how the community has collectively edited the search results by clicking on the “See all notes for this SearchWiki” link.
So, this is only for my benefit? Who are they kidding? This is just one more way for Google to accumulate information about your site- and what it’s most dedicated users are thinking.
There is also a Comment bubble at the end of each listing- and this will be shared among all users.
If there is one industry that should be shaking in their shoes right now- it’s the Yellow Pages directories. With no user interaction, and static displays (yep- that’s the reality of print) there is no reason to ever use a Yellow Pages directory again- especially with Google available just one toll free call away at 1-800-Goog-411. All small businesses should be sure to register with Google Local, it’s more important than ever.
Take a look at your Google search rank now- and, realize, the days of gaming for the top of the search are ending now.
iPhone view of www.esrati.com using WPtouch
There are thousands of plugins for WordPress out there- but few that we think are a must have. WPtouch has become one of our new standards- just because it brings instant elegance to your site when viewed on an iPhone or iTouch- or a phone running Google’s android platform.
While you could spend considerable time crafting an alternate theme and putting a mobile browser detector on your site, WPtouch does all this for you – with a ton of user configuration tools. They even provide a PSD template to make your own customized buttons.
From the site:
a complimentary theme installed as a plugin on your WordPress blog or website that will format your content with this Apple-inspired, full-featured theme when your visitors are using an iPhone or iPod touch.
It’s currently at version 1.5 and still has a few things to watch for- like if you upgrade using the auto-upgrade, your custom buttons will be overwritten, so make sure to back up your install first.
The mobile market is growing, and those businesses that make sure that they have a mobile accessible site are going to see gains in business.
Just one more reason to use WordPress to publish your website instead of using plain old HTML.
Websites aren’t like a Yellow pages ad- just paying money and putting one up isn’t going to get you business automatically. Websites have to be updated, have useful information that is customer focused and they have to be built so that you can maintain it yourself. If you have a site like that, and come to our seminar you will be able to get listed on the first page of Google (without paying for ads). We can teach you how to be a webmaster in one day- without having to learn any code.
Spend a day with us and learn everything you need to know about how the web works- but the secrets of how you get to the first page of Google without paying for ads.
We’ll teach you how to maintain a website using the newest coolest Web 2.0 tools- which means nothing to buy, no code to learn and the ability to connect with customers easier than ever before.
We give this seminar across the country- and have clients from Florida to California, just because we get organic search engine optimization.
Your website can become a powerful business tool and easy to use if you take this seminar. Your webstats will prove it in no time.
So sign up now– we know you’ll become one of our many successful Websitetologists.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008 at Nehemiah University, 750 S. Main Street Dayton OH 45402 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.