Hot on the heels of Google’s public +1 button launch, they have also just announced they are retiring the Google Checkout badge from their paid search results.
Google originally claimed that these paid search ads would receive better click through rates and inspire stronger consumer confidence – it would be interesting to hear opinions from merchants who have comparative data.
We do know that it’s very likely Google will incorporate the new +1 button with Adwords ads, so this change may be in preparation for that.
Another fledgling theory is that this may be somehow connected to Google Wallet – in which case perhaps there’s a shake up or merging of Google’s financial transaction products.
Here’s what little Google has to say about it:
Over the last few years, we’ve tested and launched many new extensions to ads on Google search results, including ad sitelinks, product extensions, seller rating extensions, call extensions, and location extensions. We’re constantly making changes aimed at improving the user experience and advertiser ROI.
Let me just run that through Google Translate:…
We think we’ve found a way to make more money from this SERP real estate.
It would be good to hear a more specific response, especially since this may financially affect paying advertisers.
There are 2 code snippets you’ll need to add to your website in order to start displaying Google +1 buttons.
The Javascript call goes just before the closing </body> tag – similar to the Google Analytics snippet. It has a few configurable parts that set the annotation language and whether you want it to parse on load or explicitly – below I’ve used parse: On Load, which is probably going to be the most common version – (if you choose parse: Explicit then you’ll need to use a 3rd snippet to make the Javascript call). Most people will be able to drop the code below into their global footer file and forget about it.
<!-- Place this tag in your head or just before your close body tag -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js">
{lang: 'en-GB'}
</script>
The other Google +1 code snippet can be placed anywhere on your website wherever you want the Google +1 button to show.
<!-- Place this tag where you want the +1 button to render -->
<g:plusone></g:plusone>
This snippet offers a number of configurable elements:
Size of +1 button: 15 pixels, 20, 24 and a special tall 60px version.
Show a bubble with the +1 count? – Probably not if you’re just starting out!
Add an additional Javascript callback function
Specify a different URL to vote up (which opens up an interesting set of options)
Note that the URL that is voted up takes into account the rel=”canonical” instruction – so this will be respected should you add Google +1 buttons to non-canonical page versions. If you’re interested in the technical nitty-gritty, check out this in-depth +1 button FAQ by Google.
Overview of the available Google +1 button sizes:
Rules of Use
It’s not wise to violate rules until you know how to observe them. ~ T. S. Eliot
Here’s a summary of the Google +1 button terms and conditions:
Don’t collect button click data and then sell or share it with anyone else.
Don’t try to identify people who click on your +1 buttons.
Don’t alter the Google +1 button.
Don’t place it next to advertising.
Don’t “encourage” visitors to click the +1 button through payment or competitions.
You must top-up your Google +1 account with 3 drops of blood every month.
Sorry for hiding this at the end, but I wanted you to read the article first. Advertisers don’t dig high bounce rates ;)
For a recap on what the Google +1 button is, and how it can be of use to your websites, visit the Google Ads Innovation +1 Button page. You can also increase my time-on-page metrics and watch the video below too.
The first analysis of the in-depth SEOmoz 2011 Search Ranking Factors was released today, and it’s well worth reading.
I was one of the 132 top-tier SEO professionals involved, so I can personally attest to the sheer amount of data SEOmoz have incorporated into the research… we offered to slog through page after page of multiple choice questions, as well as prioritising dauntingly large groups of ranking factors and red-herrings.
It was a long, long evening with the laptop for the love of SEO and the mozzers!
In the full release of the SEOmoz 2011 Search Ranking Factors, I’m really looking forward to reading some of the insightful free-form answers from around the world, but for now the analysis is purely quantitative data and top-level.
The great thing about working with so much SEO ranking data is that it really gives fantastic insights when presented and framed with standard deviation and Spearman’s co-efficient.
If I’ve lost you already, don’t worry! There’s plenty of board-level bullet-points like the example slide below… such as social signals (Facebook and Twitter) are believed to play a much bigger role in future SEO performance!
Here’s an interesting Google development test I came across recently — double-column, non-collapsable organic results for a single brand.
The example in the picture is a semi-branded term, but I swear I’ve seen this in action on generic keywords.
The lucky brand dominates the page, pushing down all the other results
There’s no apparent reason why these particular pages are chosen (I’ve seen really obscure, deep pages returned, so it’s not due to internal links, page authority or jump links)
I confirmed it works whilst logged out
I confirmed it works on any browser
It works as part of Google Instant
Unfortunately, I can’t replicate the results on my own computers, hence the low quality screenshot.
What does this mean?
At this point, it just means that Google is testing the search result layouts again.
However, if it does get rolled out then obviously expect an outcry at brands dropping 12 places on terms such as “car insurance” (tested and confirmed!).
So yeah, this blog is a little schizophrenic in that it covers SEO, finance and productivity. I make no apologies for that, since I feel all three subjects are awesome enough to explore and they have some real areas of overlap – essentially common-sense development of small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit.
So with that out of the way, let’s crack on with some SEO news!
Google +1
Those in the Search industries will be aware that Google is making a very calculated play into Facebook’s territory, by developing and promoted a new social layer to the search results. Google +1 — believed to be the release versions of the secretive Google Me and Emerald Sea projects — is essentially Google’s version of the Facebook Like button.
This mean yet another social button to add to your websites, but with one MAJOR benefit: web pages that have been +1′d (plus one’d) by Jack, for example, will recommended to all of Jack’s contacts in his Google social circle. Not only this, but there’s a pretty good chance that these social upvotes will start to play a significant part in determining how high the page sits on the organic search results.
In essence, Google is laying the groundwork for a ranking factor that could be as important as inbound links.
Now Google has apparently claimed it’s not trying to take a bite out of Facebook, but it’s worth remembering Google also said they were not trying to create a Paypal competitor with Google Checkout – which of course they did.
One more thing: these little +1 icons will also show next to paid search results (Adwords) although it’s confirmed upvotes will not directly affect Quality Score (and therefore bid prices). Again, Google is being ever so sneaky with this: any brightly coloured icon next to a paid search result will definitely assist click-through-rate, and in doing so will indirectly affect Quality Score.
So Google’s unspoken message is this: If you don’t want your competitors to have an unfair advantage in either SEO or PPC, you must implement our new product.
Unlike Buzz, Wave or SideWiki, I actually think Google +1 is a good idea that will stick around, and I’m excited at the potential for links to become less important as a ranking lever.
Something is happening in the UK corporate bond market. Hurried conversations are going on behind closed doors and new products are being launched by the banks left, right and centre.
But why? And why should you care?
Interest rates on our cash savings are absolutely crap at the moment, generally no higher than 2.5% pre-tax. Current inflation is 3.2%: meaning our cash is worth less and less each year.
The logical next step for Joe Bloggs saver is to consider locking that money away for a year or two in a fixed term product such as a bond. This will increase the interest rate to around 3.2% pre-tax guaranteed.
Today I want to visit a subject that is just as important as the ability to make money online, perhaps more important in my opinion: controlling costs.
First, a really important concept…
COSTS exist before INCOME
Everybody starts life with basic costs (food, housing and clothing). The fundamental reason why you earn money is to cover these costs. They will not simply disappear if you stop earning money.
Of course, once you cover these costs, you’re free to create yet more costs in your life such as a car, a social life, better food etc. as Maslow’s trusted Hierarchy of Needs dictates.
The same is of course true for small businesses: Revenue does not start from day one, but costs often do.
So it makes a lot of sense to learn to control your costs, both personally and in business.
Today, I want to give you some actionable ideas as to how you can improve the way you work online, by sharing a process that has helped me work faster and more efficiently and lay the foundations for some awesome projects I’ve got boiling.
Recently I spent some important time redefining my priorities: both online and in the real world. Much of this has involved identifying elements that drain my time and focus with little return – the old 80:20 rule.
I’m feeling really positive about this, and I hope I can pass some of that on to you, even if you just apply one tip from below to your work life.
My most awesome SEO copywriters came across an interesting resource the other day and, although I’m sure the concept isn’t new, so far I’ve been rather impressed with the opportunities My Blog Guest has provided for link building.
Most people know I’m a fan of guest posts as a high-quality way of acquiring links; it provides quality, fresh links and equally importantly, it forces the client’s link profile to stay relevant*
Essentially you provide an on-topic website with free, high quality content for their readership in return for an optimised link from within the article. Everyone is happy, and here’s the bonus: you’ll probably get some old-school on-topic visitors via the link too. Read the rest of this entry »
I honestly believe, that by sharing their knowledge, most SEOs stand to gain more than they stand to lose. Until recently I was also more than a little jealous of the buzzing social scene across the London agencies.
That’s why a few of us got together in May and created the Manchester SEO Meetup, and its supporting Manchester SEO Linkedin Group.
Posted in SEO | 
No Comments » | by: David Lindop
