Google’s free webmaster tools: a primer

Step 1: Register your site with Google’s free webmaster tools

A Google webmaster tools account is essential in order to rank highly on the search engine results page and achieve maximum click-through rate. These tools allow you to monitor your site’s performance in Google’s index and optimize visibility. If you are a webmaster and haven’t registered your site with Google webmaster tools, that is the first step; if you already have a free webmaster tools account, proceed to Step 2!

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Google algorithm change 2011: low quality content takes a significant hit, with Google rewarding “original content.” What will happen to your site?

On February 24, Google blogged about what they called “a pretty big algorithmic improvement to our ranking,” one that affected a whopping 11.8% of search queries. According to the blog post by Google, the goal of this update was to “reduce rankings for low-quality sites – sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful.”

On the upside, Google promises that this will result in “better rankings for high-quality sites – sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis.” Note that, so far, this update has only been put into play in the United States.

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Google and page content: How recent Google search algorithm changes affect determining web site content

There has been a lot of talk in the media about how building web content has become big business. This talk has been fueled largely by the impending IPO of Demand Media, a mass content farm that churns out an unimaginable amount of web content every day. So, how does this affect you in determining web site content? Here’s why: because most of that talk has not been positive and the Google search algorithm has been changing as a result.

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Still preparing a list of New Year’s resolutions? Feel free to borrow any – or all – of these for successful SEO in 2011!

1. Resolve to make continuing education a part of your work day. In the world of SEO, search engine algorithms are always changing – and so are the techniques needed for successful SEO. Need a refresher on how search engines work? Look no further!

• How search engines work, part 1
• How search engines work, part 2
• How search engines work, part 3

2. Commit to prioritizing small projects that can make a big difference in your search engine optimization campaign, such as:

• Fixing canonical issues
• Adding sitemaps
• Adding a robots.txt
• Fixing 404 errors
• Using the 301 redirect

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Our New Year’s wishes include, for all of you, a 2011 filled with successful SEO! All of us at The Search Guru wish you:

• A year where Google’s algorithm changes reward you for all of the hard work you’ve been doing in 2010 (or, if SEO is new to you, a year where you create a successful SEO strategy that you can continue into 2012 and beyond)
• A social media presence where you have meaningful conversations with your customers and potential customers
• A year of positive online reputation, where your customers tell others about your quality products and services, competitive pricing and fast friendly service
• A year where you meet and exceed your business goals and fulfill your dreams!

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