The (non)sense of Google’s Reasonable Surfer model

A lot of people in the SEO community tend to almost blindly copy and paste stuff they hear or read on blogs onto their own blogs, Twitter, etc.

The copy & paste problem

If the source people copy would be right, this wouldn’t be a problem. But that’s not the world we’re living in. Unfortunately this copy and paste behavior leads to a good chance of misinterpretation an awful lot of times.

What I’m missing is criticism. What’s the context of what you’re reading? What does it (not) mean? I’m no saint here either. In the past I’ve been guilty of this copy and paste behavior myself as well. It seems a natural pattern of people learning SEO.

But let us all stop copy and paste stuff that people say or write down, even be it Google’s Matt Cutts himself. And let us start questioning and thinking ourselves about what we’re hearing or reading. For example Google’s Reasonable Surfer patent.

Keep reading: "The (non)sense of Google's Reasonable Surfer model"

My SES Amsterdam 2010 presentation

Today I’m presenting at the Search Engine Strategies (SES) Amsterdam 2010 conference (link).

Just like the first edition of SES Amsterdam last year, I’m presenting the results of the market research I conducted on the Dutch search engine marketing market.

My slides are in Dutch, but the illustrations might give you an idea what I’m talking about

How does Google work?

We all know Google. And we all use Google when we search. They have become the most powerful Internet company of this moment. But how does Google work?

There have been written a ton of articles about how Google works, but most of them are explanations from people outside of of Google. There’s nothing wrong with that, because those people are likely to be unbiased. But those people do not have the complete picture.

How Google’s search engine works

Google is giving basic information on how their search engine works. But on a rare occasion people are allowed inside Google’s headquarters to see a glimpse of how Google works.

This month Wired journalist Steven Levy has been allowed to join the Google Search Quality team. They are responsible for the development and improvement of Google’s algorithm: the heart of Google’s search engine.

Wired managed to get some inside information and comments on how Google works. I highly recommend reading the article which extensively describes how Google’s search engine works:

“How Google’s Algorithm Rules the Web” (wired.com)

Quiet here? Follow me on Twitter

Don’t worry. I’m still here. It has just been “a little” quiet here lately

The main reason would be my new job, in which I enthusiastically invested a lot of time since I started last December 1st.

So I am struggling to find the time for writing. Both on this blog and my Dutch blog (EdWords.nl), as well as other blogs I write for. I apologize for the quietness here and hope you’ll understand.

But please know that I’m actively using my Twitter account to post stuff I find interesting and worth sharing. So please head over to http://twitter.com/EdWords and let’s stay in touch!

And thanks for still being here

My next challenge

With great enthusiasm I like to share with you that I am going for my next challenge outside of Outrider (GroupM/WPP).

Starting December 1st I will be joining my buddy and great SEO Joost de Valk and other talented and skilled people at OrangeValley! (Dutch site)

Developing SEO

I will be responsible for developing the SEO services alongside their on-site optimization services like web analytics, multi-variate testing and conversion optimization.

I am really looking forward working with a great team and developing an unique and high quality SEO proposition!

Thank you, Outrider!

I had a great time at Outrider, where I had the luck of learning from and working with a lot of talented people. I like to thank everybody at Outrider and within the GroupM network for this experience! Thanks for all the opportunities!

On my Dutch blog EdWords.nl I wrote an extensive post why I left, what OrangeValley is and what I will be doing there. Of course it is in Dutch

http://www.edwords.nl/2009/11/19/mijn-volgende-uitdaging/

“Where have you been?”

It wouldn’t surprise me if you’re asking yourself “Where have you been, Eduard?”. I completely understand that. And I’ll tell you where I have been.

Except for the post I just wrote (“Why there is no Europe with Search Marketing“), my last posting here was 6 weeks ago. So you I owe you an update!

First of all, great you’re still hanging around here

Micro blogging

For the record, I have been blogging actively for the past couple of weeks and months. Well, Micro blogging that is (on Twitter as you might know).

There you will find me sharing articles and other Search related stuff at least once a day!

Read the rest of ""Where have you been?""

Why there is no Europe with Search Marketing

Search engine marketing is one of the marketing activities, which in most cases, is relatively easy to expand to other markets. But don’t make the mistake expanding uncarefully.

Search Marketing in Europe is one of those cases where it’s not so easy. Why not, you ask? The answer is because there is no Europe when applying basically any type of marketing strategy.

Search is pull driven

Why is this important? This is important because it outlines the central and key approach of search engine marketing. Search stands out as one of the most pull driven media.

Therefore, search engine marketing is most effective when you adapt to your target market in the best possible way.

Read the rest of this article at SearchFuel, the Search Marketing blog of the company I work for:
“Many Countries, Many Markets: SEM in Europe“

Can we stop the real-time search debate now?

Real-time Search is hot. Ever since Twitter came along, they took and dominated the real-time search space.

Especially with their new search engine like homepage. Can Google keep up with them or not? Will Twitter beat Google at its core? At least it is keeping the industry busy.

Google into real-time search more than ever

Of course Twitter still has a valuable database of tweets and conversations which Google and other search engines do not have. But do not make the mistake thinking that Google has lost the real-time search game. They’re into it more than ever.

Yesterday the Omgili blog highlighted how you can tweak Google’s new Search Options to filter results by minutes and even seconds. That seems close to real-time search, doesn’t it?

Read the rest of this post at SearchCowboys: “Can we stop the real-time search debate now?“.

There will always be shifts in media

I stumbled upon a short but really important post by Steve Rubel in which he gives us an insightful graphic:

He names 2 learnings out of this graphic which I think we all should remind ourselves frequently:

• There will always be shifts in media
• One format never supersedes another

At first sight this has nothing to do with Search, but understanding this shift in media definitely helps understanding the development and future of Search.

SEO or SEA (PPC) Landing Page?

Sometimes a simple piece of information is more valuable than a long and decent article, especially in a time where attention span is decreasing due to services like Twitter.

From this article I found a simple but valuable table outlining what a landing page should contain for SEO, SEA (PPC) or both, regarding informational, transactional or navigational searcher intent: