SEARCH NEWS – JULY 2013
Sell SEO Make Money’s Search News is your monthly source to keep you up to date on the latest trends in search engine marketing. You’ll know about emerging trends in online marketing and we’ll explain how those trends can be put to use in your business.
A Spin on Local Search
Recently, Google introduced Carousel for local search results. Now, when you search for a local business like a hotel or restaurant, the results appear in an interactive carousel at the top of the page. Click on one of the results in the carousel and you’ll see the address, photos, overall review-based score and links to the actual reviews.
The obvious question–how can a local business earn a spot on the carousel? A well-managed Google+ page with updated content, attractive images and customer reviews is the critical first step. Claiming and managing other local listings and review sites is also important.
A click on the carousel result leads to a branded search, showing more results for the local business. A business that persistently takes charge of its web presence and reputation (with social media activity, blog posts, videos, infographics, press releases, customer reviews, etc.) is likely to draw more customers to its website and rack up more leads than a business that’s not doing much or any content marketing.
The basis of a solid SEO program is a diversified content marketing plan, with each piece of high quality, unique content posted on a distinct website. Recycled content doesn’t cut it!
Google’s Balloon Powered Internet Experiment
Instead of standing by waiting for internet service providers to tap the two-thirds of the population without internet access (see data, below*), Google is working toward servicing those areas with balloon powered internet. Essentially, ‘Project Loon’ works like this: balloons are moved around in the stratosphere and sent into a layer of wind that’s moving in the right direction, creating a large communications network to which people can connect via an antenna attached to their building. Not surprisingly, Project Loon was founded by MIT-trained scientist, Richard DeVaul.
Project Loon is currently being tested in New Zealand, with the long term goal of connecting people in remote areas, filling gaps in coverage and bringing people back online quickly after a disaster.
Sure, it sounds a little loony and it’s true that Google has been known to pull the occasional hoax, like Google Nose. But remember, this is a company that doesn’t shy away from the unconventional–Google is testing a self-driving car, has invested in a solar power plant, and introduced the world to Google Glass. Remember too that Google stands to profit with every new internet user. Of course Google would figure out a way to use wind driven balloons to bring more people online.
Who’s Online Now?
*According to the most recent internet usage data published in June 2012 by Nielsen Online and reported by internetworldstats.com, internet service is available to about 34% of the world’s population. North America has the highest percentage of coverage; Africa, the lowest.
North America – 79%
- Oceania/Australia – 68%
- Europe – 63%
- Latin America/Caribbean – 43%
- Middle East – 40%
- Asia – 28%
- Africa – 16%
Total number of internet users worldwide, as of June 2012: 2,405,518,376.
