The SEO experts are still figuring out what exactly is happening and what the implications are, but it appears that Google is adjusting it's algorithm in favor of fresh content at the expense of longer tenured static pages with large amount of incoming links.
Hopefully this change will be beneficial to the AR community.
Here are some links for a more detailed analysis of the situation:
GREAT news! I was just out there managing my Google information last evening! The more Google, the better!
Debe in Charlotte, NC
Indeed. Google has changed it's focus from "popularity" to "timeliness".
Other changes have also been implemented. The limitation in sub-domains in SERP is interesting too.
Well, I thought they already were, since our AR blogs are helping us so much. Regardless, I'm trying to decide what to do with my static site ( which I don't want anymore ). But, because of activerain, have worked hard to get it on pages 1 and 2 for all the search terms in my area. The domain is old since 1999.
How do I drop the site, not lose SEO and get a new site where I can add the fresh content. Or should I just forget the static site and use my new blog and the one I hope to buy when you all come out with the new platform for Saline, MI.?
I live in Saline, work in Ann Arbor. So most of my localism posts are on Saline, but they don't show up under Saline, because I registered as Ann Arbor. Who had ever heard of Saline until I met people here?
Actually, this is OLD news - this is Google's Universal Search. It was adapted nearly a year ago, and copied last fall by Yahoo and MSN (they call it "blended searches").
It combines (and favors) current news stories, blogs and video into the main search results pages. They've been slowly rolling out this new algorythm change throughout the year last year. These used to be separate, vertical searches (available at the top of the search page), but now they are all combined into one Universal Search. Effectively, it pushes more established sites down a bit to make room for the 'fresh content' of blogs, news and video.
Missy, I know where Saline is...
The Google changes are great for me. Even my non-blog website is dynamic and has new content all of the time.
Jonathan, Would you elaborate on Lenns statement. It's over myhead at this point!
Ginger
Cyndee, Outside Blogs are going to be really great. Once they are released I totally suggest that you get one. What more beyond that could you possibly want to know exactly?
Ginger & Roger, Who specifically is posting? Ginger or Roger. I am guessing Ginger because your name is listed first. I just ask so that when I respond to you in the future I don't need to write to Ginger and Roger.
Anyways, a subdomain is something like "http://ginger.activerain.com". The ginger part, being the subdomain. The reason that it is relevant is that there are certain strategies that a web developer can take advantage of to use subdomains of powerful (high google juice) websites to control much of the search results of specific keywords.
That explanation is confusing even to me and I wrote it, so don't worry if it doesn't clear things up for you; subdomains really aren't anything you really need to worry about. Lenn is hard core. She is a true SEO expert.
Jonathan, It's Ginger, that's why I sign my name. Roger doesn't post. He's a phantom member.... LOL!
Ok now I get it. So lets say I have a wordpress blog.. which I do. How important is my title.. eg
-------.wordpress.com . Is it better to have popular keywords in the subdomain or are my tags and content more important? Is Lenn saying this won't be relevant anymore?
Thanks, Ginger
Hi there how are we folks? This isn't really my territory, but I am kind of in a trance-like state following this story around. If you don't mind me mildly losing my mind, do try and read this post for a little more detailed understanding of this issue.
I am simply a search geek and have found this story quite interesting, and thought to add to your conversation in passing. Please do read before getting too excited as this truly isn't BIG NEWS....
Best wishes, David (and Happy New Year to all BTW)
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