Web Traffic Formula

August 15, 2010

Jonah Peretti of BuzzFeed presented his ideas for creating compelling websites and I thought this slide was particularly instructive.

Traffic Formula

Traffic Formula

Peretti argues targeting an audience segment with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is key to success for Wikipedia, online games and blog comments.

I think Peretti is correct.

I also think Peretti thesis applies to any high traffic web property.

Why?

In the final analysis, content must resonate with its audience and content targeting an obsessed audience is all but guaranteed to be heard.

Google Webmaster Tools Disconnect Between Data and Search Engine Results

August 14, 2010

Ever wonder why the search queries report in Webmaster Tools shows some keywords ranking  yet after searching for them they are nowhere to be found?

Google’e Matt Cutts provides a comprehensive answer to this question in the video below.

Yahoo Bing Search Alliance Update

August 13, 2010

From the Search Alliance Transition team:

Soon, you’ll need to either create a new adCenter account, or link an existing adCenter account to your Yahoo! Search Marketing account. Later this month, you’ll see an “adCenter” tab within your Yahoo! Search Marketing account. Clicking there will take you to the beginning of the account transition process, where we’ll walk you through the simple steps to create or link accounts.

Yippee!

I can’t wait…

Search Alliance Update

Search Alliance Update

I am sure the professionals at both Yahoo and Bing will be doing everything in their power to make sure the transition goes off without a hitch – I just hope the new Yahoo Bing Search Alliance doesn’t end up costing advertisers like myself more time and money.

Google Insights For Search: JetBlue Traffic Takes Off

August 12, 2010

According to Google Insights for Search, web search traffic for JetBlue has really taken off since flight attendant Steven Slater quit his job.

Google Insights for Search - JetBlue

Google Insights for Search - JetBlue

It appears JetBlue has received a five-fold increase in search traffic since Slater “quit” his job.

Now Showing: A Tweet Button

August 12, 2010

I have enabled the new Tweet Button on my WordPress blogs today.

Enabling the Tweet button is simple.

1. Go to your Appearance tab.

2. Click the Extras tab.

Now Showing Tweet Button

Now Showing Tweet Button

3. Check “Show A Twitter Tweet Button on my Posts.

Google Product Reach

August 11, 2010

The following infographic illustrating Google products, their data and advertising potential was published on the front page of the Wall Street Journal yesterday.

Google's Reach

Google's Reach

This chart was compiled from a confidential internal Google document labeled “Vision Statement”.

My question is if the “Vision Statement” source document was truly confidential – why was it on the front page of the Wall Street Journal?

This Blog Ain’t No Lemonade Stand

August 10, 2010

Who invented the Lemonade Stand?

Lemonade Stand

Lemonade Stand

OneBox Results With Google Places

August 9, 2010

This type of Google OneBox result may have been live for a while but today was the first time I noticed it.

OneBox with Google Places

OneBox with Google Places

How long have “Place Pages” been live in Google’s OneBox search results?

Adwords Update

August 8, 2010

I just noticed my Google Adwords My Client Center now displays both Search Network CTR and Google Display Network CTR at the account performance level.

Adwords Update

Adwords Update

Do you know how long Adwords has shown the two networks CTR at the account performance level in My Client Center?

Switching to see all of my accounts CTR, I realized I have spent nearly $1.5 million dollars with Google.

Google Places Disconnect

August 7, 2010

Not sure how Google Places can show my business listing data “Pending” and Being reviewed yet still send me account traffic statistics.

Pending Being Reviewed

Pending Being Reviewed

How can Google Places collect and email me their report data about an account that is Pending and Being Reviewed?

Google Places Disconnect

Google Places Disconnect

Based on the screen shot above, would it be unreasonable for me to conclude Google gathers data about business listings whether they have applied for a Google Places account and been approved or not?