Orange County SEO™ Blog

Too Much Information in the Age of SEO

It cannot be denied that we hit the information age not long ago, but some are debating if we’ve hit the age of too much information. Data can be described as basically anything, which means it feels like everything, which means trying to discover what you want to know about on the Internet can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a hard working turbo information finder contraption that could help us get to the content we need with little or no fuss? Supposedly, this is what search engines are trying to do. With simple questions, they usually get the answers just right. But how do you direct them to find your business or blog?

Search engines have two jobs on the Internet; one is to sift through and catalog a zillion types of media, images, documents, pages, files, news, gossip, videos and anything else you can think of in the vast network of the world wide web. The other job search engines have is seeking answers to questions from users like you and I, and the search engine will do that by checking what it has gathered from its constant sifting, and offer up the most relevant findings it can offer.  When it gives you the findings, it will also order them in what the search engine (through following a complex set of algorithms and intricate mathematical equations) deems most useful to your query.

The search engine decides what is relevant by noticing what is the most popular on the web. It’s like a line outside of a store, if over 500 people are waiting outside for whatever’s inside, it must be good! It sounds simple, but seriously, it’s honestly a modern miracle. Great whirling machines as large as refrigerators all over the world hold tanks and tanks of information just waiting for someone to ask something.

With all these complicated information-finding networks in place,  if you’re going to run a business via the Internet, it’s a good idea to invest in the process of creating opportunities for search engines to notice your products or services. By learning, understanding and implementing certain factors that guide search engines toward your site, you are taking part in SEO or search engine optimization. Orange County SEO can boost your business by giving you the tools you need to find success.

What You Need to Know About Google Link Warnings

Google caused a bit of a stir recently when they sent warnings alerting that “bad links” might lead to loss in rankings and traffic.  Unfortunately, the warnings may have caused more problems than the links themselves.

In order to understand the confusion, here is an abbreviated and annotated timeline of Google’s messages and the responses they engendered among webmasters. Read More »

SEO-Friendly URL Syntax

Your URL structure affects more than just your page’s “look.”  It can also hurt your rankings and keep your page off the best search index.  This hurts your business by causing your clients and customers to be unable to find you.

Much of this has to do with your content management systems.  Some CMS platforms do not follow the rules or take shortcuts that result in duplicate content that triggers the search engines to avoid web pages.

How can you fix your URL structure?  Here are some tips and explanation.  Make sure that you have the professional support you need for your URL structure and your website in general by talking to Orange County SEO about your website design and development. Read More »

Your Infographics Can Still Count

Earlier this week, Matt Cutts talked about devaluing infographics. This is not surprising given Google’s stance on content and link issues.  However, the statement set the world abuzz with speculation.  We all know that spam analysis is not an exact science, so many are hoping Google will be unable to carry out its threat.

This is probably a vain hope.  If your infographics are used to link to wonky sites, be prepared for Google to devalue you.  However, this does not mean that you should toss infographics away altogether.  You can still use them if you are careful to ensure that they are being used for the right purposes. Read More »

United States Senate Asks for Help From Web Communities

The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation has asked major United States search engine operators to examine how moving services are using search results to try “bait-and-switch” tactics on potential victims.

The committee found that customers who use search engines to locate moving companies are often subjected to the same tactics:  they are confronted with “soundalikes” for reputable moving companies that are actually brokerage firms that charge exorbitant fees to set up the move.  Unaware and trusting the search results, many victims have been pulled in and charged hundreds or thousands of dollars more than necessary by these unscrupulous companies.

The Senate involved the search engine providers because these companies seemed to appear at the top of all search engines with alarming regularity, leading to the conclusion that the companies had found a way around the natural safeguards that existed to prevent spam and disreputable vendors from exploiting the search engines. Read More »