Favicon Generators, Create Favicons for Websites, Blogs

A favicon is a favorites icon or a small image that associates with your site/blog. The favicon appears in Internet browsers including:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Firefox
  • Mozilla
  • Opera
  • Safari

The favicon shows up:

  • In Internet browser’s address bar location field
  • Next to a site’s name in Internet browser’s bookmark list
  • In tabs next to a site’s title in a multi-tab browser
  • Next to the site’s feed as shown in many feed readers

If your site’s favicon does not display in certain browsers, review this browser support list.

Favicon Generators

Webmasters can create favicons for their websites by using free web-based favicon generators including:

  • favicon.ico Generator
  • favicon maker
  • 256 Pixels
  • Favicon Editor
  • Favicon/Icon Generator und Online-Editor
  • Genfavicon
  • ConvertIcon
  • FavIcon from Pics
  • Dynamic Drive- FavIcon Generator
  • Favicon Generator

Specify the location of your site’s favicion in the page header:

<link rel="shortcut icon" href="/www.example.com/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" />

Posted on September 22, 2011
Category: B2C Websites | Leave a Comment

Travel Search Engines, Travel Websites

Travel websites are one type of B2C websites. Travelers can search for the availability and prices on hotel rooms, flight tickets, and hotel + flight + car package deals on online travel websites:

Vertical Travel Search

Travel sites are available as vertical search in the form of travel search engines. Travel search engines allow travelers to narrow down hotel/flight search results through hotel/flight price comparisons:

Travel Reviews, Travel to China

Travel reviews including hotel reviews, attraction reviews and destination reviews that are written by travelers can be found on travel review sites:

To get good brief overview about different places in China before you travel to China, use:

Online Travel Industry

The travel industry was one of the first industries that have been made available “online”.

Wikipedia defines travel websites as:

A travel website is a website on the world wide web, that is dedicated to travel. The site may be focused on travel reviews, the booking of travel, or a combination of both. Approximately seventy million consumers researched travel plans online in July 2006. Travel bookings are the single largest component of e-commerce.

Wikipedia defines travel agencies as:

A travel agency is a retail business that sells travel related products and services to customers on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, hotels, railways, sightseeing tours and package holidays that combine several products.

Travel Websites in Screenshots

Google Flight Search:

    Google Flight Search

Bing’s Travel Destinations:

    Bing's Travel Destinations

Kayak:

    Kayak

Travel Muse:

    Travel Muse

Posted on September 16, 2011
Category: Search Engines | 1 Comment

Why I Am Still Blogging After Many Years

I listed 5 reasons why I blog in 2007 and renamed PPC Blog to Gordon Choi’s Blog at the end of 2010 to allow me to extend my blog topics from mostly PPC topics to many other Internet-related topics.

The 5 reasons why I Am still blogging after many years:

  • Contribute to the Search Engine Marketing World – I have learned so much about all things of SEM/PPC/SEO during all these past years, and believe I should contribute back to the SEM world by sharing my knowledge.
  • I like WordPress – My Blog is now on WordPress: WordPress is great and powerful web publishing tool, besides many other benefits. WordPress is easy and convenient for anyone (from no to any levels of coding/programming experience) to release user-generated content to the web. From the very beginning WordPress made it easy for creating SEO friendly URLs, whether you are creating a website or a blog. You can find too many free, useful WordPress addons/plugins to improve your site / blog.
  • Learn from Web Analytics – Running a website or a blog allows you to use free web analytics tools such as Google Analytics to monitor your site’s visitor/traffic. Learning where your blog’s traffic are coming from, and what web pages are being searched and viewed the most allow you to offer better content and create a better website for your visitors.
  • Become a Webmaster – Running a website or a blog makes you a webmaster. Being a webmaster you should make good use of Google Webmaster Tools which provides information on SEO and technical issues that your site may have.
  • Build Online Resume: Show your expertise on your blog to complement your LinkedIn Resume.

PPC Topics Shared

I have shared many PPC topics over the years that include:

SEO / PPC Gurus

I absolutely need to mention these names as over the past years I have learned so much from these PPC / SEO / Site Optimization gurus:

  • Vinny Lingham – Figured out Google Adwords advanced optimization techniques in the early days back in 2003, and also an entrepreneur of 2 start-ups, Clicks2Customers.com and Yola.com
  • Stephen Noton – Over the years, Google been updating the organic ranking algorithms. However, even before new organic ranking algorithms went live, Stephen often has figured out Google’s trends. He has helped different global companies as an SEO consultant with his SEO methods for many years. Stephen has offered his understanding in Google, Yahoo and Bing search algorithms.
  • Zhang, Guoping – Offers systematic approach to create a large website that is scalable, trackable and SEO friendly. Guoping emphases on the importance of creating SEO dashboard reports and has developed some SEO tools for free download.
  • Ryee – Has years of experience in Chinese SEO for high-traffic and large user-generated content sites down to every single tiny details.

Derrick Wheeler and Avinash Kaushik are the 2 other experts who I have never met in person but are required mentioning.

  • Derrick Wheeler, Microsoft’s Chief SEO Architect: Handles SEO for Microsoft’s mega websites.
  • Avinash Kaushik, Web Analytics expert: Offers insights, high-level thoughts and every aspect on Web Analytics through his blog.

Posted on September 13, 2011
Category: Blogging | 1 Comment

PPC Optimization Tips

PPC optimization for 3 different paid search marketing systems: Google Adwords, Bing Adcenter and Baidu Phoenix Nest.

  • Google Adwords: Google offers the most comprehensive PPC platform that allows optimization and reaches the largest audience in the world.
  • Bing Adcenter: Bing-Yahoo Alliance has the second largest audience reach in the US.
  • Baidu Phoenix Nest: Baidu allows search advertisers to reach the China market.

Google Adwords Optimization

Optimization of Google Adwords through Quality Score and ads:

Optimization of Google Adwords through keywords and keyword types:

Optimization of Google Adwords through bid optimization tools, editing tools and conversion tracking tools:

Google Analytics allows search advertisers to monitor and track keyword performance of Google Adwords:

All the optimization techniques for Google Adwords search campaigns include Quality Score, account structure, ad copy writing, keyword research, keyword bidding, location and language targeting, reporting, conversion tracking, and landing pages:

Optimization of Google Adwords for content network (or display network) and remarketing ads:

Optimization tools for Google Adwords content network (or display network):

Optimization of landing pages for Google Adwords:

Google offers a full set of SEM tools to search engine marketers:

Bing Adcenter Optimization

Optimization tools for Microsoft’s Bing Adcenter includes keyword research tools and editing tools:

Conversion tracking through Bing Adcenter’s built-in keyword conversion tracking tool and Google Analytics:

Campaign transition from Yahoo Search Marketing to Bing Adcenter:

Baidu Phoenix Nest Optimization

Optimization tools for Baidu PPC include keyword research, editing tool, and search queries:

Tracking keyword conversions and analyzing your website traffic collected through:

Optimizing through understanding the difference between Baidu Phoenix Nest and Google Adwords:

Posted on September 1, 2011
Category: PPC | Leave a Comment

Baidu, Bing, Chinese Travel Search Engine Qunar.com on Baidu Search Results

Baidu forms partnerships with 2 search engines: Bing and Qunar

  • Bing.com – Microsoft’s search engine
  • Qunar.com – Chinese travel search engine that allows users to compare flight prices

Currently, search results of both Bing and Qunar show up on Baidu’s search engine results pages (SERP) in different ways.

Bing’s Search Results on Baidu

Your website may appear up to a maximum of 3 times on Baidu’s SERP with an English keyword search on Baidu through:

  • Baidu PPC – Ad that appears above all organic search results or on the right side of Baidu
  • Baidu SEO/Organic – Search result that shows up below paid search ads but before Bing’s organic search results
  • Bing SEO/Organic – Search result that shows up immediately after Baidu’s organic search results

Chinese Travel Search Engine Qunar.com on Baidu

Baidu’s acquisition of Qunar.com, Chinese travel search engine, allows Baidu to integrate with Qunar on Baidu.

Qunar offers real-time searches for air and train tickets, hotels and tour packages. It also provides travel-related resources such as group-buying deals and user discussion forums.

More Qunar’s information will be integrated into Baidu’s search results and there will be more travel-related data, content and applications on Baidu.

For example, a keyword search of “Guangzhou Hotels” (i.e. In Chinese Pinyin it is guangzhou jiudian) on Baidu shows a Qunar ad at the top right corner of Baidu’s search results pages:

    Qunar Ad on Baidu (Right-hand Column)

The most common way for Chinese webmasters to advertise on Baidu is through the new Baidu PPC auction system. Before Baidu’s acquisition of Qunar, the top right corner ad slot used to be a bid-for ad slot through Baidu Phoenix Nest. Baidu’s PPC ads are now pushed down.

The same search shows a hotel search box that is immediately below the 10 PPC ads but above Baidu’s organic search results through the implementation of Baidu box computing:

    Qunar Hotel Search on Baidu

Optimize Sites for Baidu SEO, Baidu PPC

To optimize your websites for Baidu’s organic search rankings:

To optimize Baidu PPC:

Posted on August 26, 2011
Category: Baidu SEO | 1 Comment

Google SEM Tools 2011 Update

The set of search engine marketing tools for Google SEO, Adwords search and Adwords content network have been explained in Google SEM tools. The objectives of Google’s SEM tools are for search engine marketers to plan/create, place/target, and measure/track Google SEM activities.

The updated Google SEM tools for 2011:

Google Adwords Search

Plan/Create:

Place/Target:

Measure/Track:

Google Adwords Content Network

Plan/Create:

Place/Target:

Measure/Track:

  • Conversion Tracking
  • Campaign Insights
  • Analytics
  • Website Optimizer

Google Search Engine Optimization

Plan/Create:

  • Insights for Search
  • Keyword Tool
  • Related Searches

Place/Target:

  • None

Measure/Track:

Posted on August 21, 2011
Category: Google Tools | 1 Comment

Google Official Help Forums

Google offers official support/help forums as communities to allow Google’s users to discuss Google’s different products. Each Google support/help forum consists of categories with different discussion topics.

  • AdSense
  • AdWords
  • Android Market
  • Blogger
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Checkout Merchant
  • Custom Search
  • DoubleClick for Publishers
  • Gmail
  • Google Affiliate Network
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Apps
  • Google Apps Education Community
  • Google Apps Script
  • Google Apps Solution Providers
  • Google Books
  • Google Books API Family
  • Google Chat
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Docs
  • Google Earth
  • Google Grants
  • Google Merchant Center
  • Google Mobile
  • Google News
  • Google Places for business
  • Google Reader
  • Google Sites
  • Google Translator Toolkit API
  • Google Voice
  • Google Web Elements
  • Google Website Optimizer
  • Maps
  • Orkut
  • Picasa
  • Picnik
  • Postini
  • Rich Media
  • SketchUp
  • Google Toolbar
  • Webmaster Central
  • Web Search
  • YouTube

AdSense

Google Adsense, the world’s largest contextual advertising solution, allows webmasters / web publishers to display text-based AdWords ads that are relevant to web pages’ content. Adsense Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • AdSense Basics and Policies
  • Adding AdSense to my Site
  • Products and Features
  • My Account
  • Working with My Ads
  • Reports and Earnings
  • Payments
  • Disabled Accounts

AdWords

Google Adwords, the world’s largest search marketing platform, allows advertisers to display ads in the Sponsored Links section next to Google’s search results to increase website traffic and sales. Adwords Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Campaign Management
  • New To Google AdWords
  • Google AdWords Best Practices
  • Ad Position and Performance
  • Analytics and Conversion Tracking
  • Small Business Corner
  • Can’t See My Ad
  • Billing and Payments
  • Ad Approvals and Policy
  • Chit Chat

Android Market

Android Market offers APPs and games for download that can be used on Android phones. Android Market Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Technical Help
  • Feature Requests / Suggestions
  • “Appy” Talk: All about Apps

Blogger

Blogger is a free blog publishing tool for sharing text, photos and videos. Blogger Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Something is Broken
  • Login Issues
  • Layouts & Templates
  • The Coffee Shop: Share Blogs, Talk Life
  • Blogger Feature Suggestions and Feedback

Google Calendar

Google Calendar allows you to set up and receive event/meeting reminders. Google Calendar Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Sync
  • Calendar Not Loading
  • Other Troubleshooting
  • Feature Requests
  • Calendar Labs
  • Coffee Shop

Google Checkout Merchant

Google Checkout Merchant Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • About Google Checkout
  • Account Questions
  • Selling with Google Checkout
  • Google Checkout UK
  • Integration Troubleshooting
  • Checkout Shopping Cart and Store Gadget
  • Checkout Betas
  • Donations and Political Contributions – US Only

Custom Search

Custom Search allows webmasters to create customized search engines for websites. Custom Search Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Implementation
  • Creating and Editing
  • Indexing and Results
  • Troubleshooting and Bugs
  • Suggestions for Custom Search

DoubleClick for Publishers

DoubleClick for Publishers, Google’s ad serving and management system, allows webmasters/publishers to manage ad inventory across direct and indirect sales channels. DoubleClick for Publishers Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Getting Started
  • Trafficking
  • Inventory Management
  • Creatives
  • Reporting
  • Account Administration
  • Features and Product Feedback

Gmail

Gmail is Google’s free email service with 7+ Gigabytes of storage, anti-spam capability and mobile access. Gmail Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • POP and IMAP
  • Account Access
  • Composing and Sending Messages
  • Reading and Receiving Messages
  • Buzz and Contacts
  • Managing Settings and Mail
  • Suspicious Messages and Scams
  • Coffee Shop

Google Affiliate Network

Google Affiliate Network enables webmasters to monetize web traffic with affiliate ads that will help advertisers increase online conversions based on webmasters’ performance. Google Affiliate Network Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Network Announcements
  • New Advertisers
  • Feature Requests
  • Chit Chat
  • Networking
  • Publisher General Questions
  • Publisher Opportunities
  • Feedback
  • Advertiser General Questions
  • Advertiser Opportunities

Google Analytics

Google Analytics monitior allows webmasters to monitor websites’ traffic and track ROI of search, text, and banner ads. Google Analytics Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • New Google Analytics Beta
  • Set Up Your Tracking
  • Manage Accounts, Users, and Report Data
  • Manage Analytics Features
  • Get the Most from Your Reports
  • Use the Reporting Interface
  • Asynchronous Tracking Code Snippet
  • Archives

Google Apps

Google Apps Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Control Panel
  • Verification and MX Records
  • New Look for Google Apps New
  • New Infrastructure for Google Apps Accounts
  • Mail Settings
  • Chat, Video, Contacts
  • EDU Administrators Circle
  • Enterprise Mobile
  • Apps Connector for BlackBerry Server
  • Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook
  • Apps Migration for Exchange
  • Apps Migration for Lotus Notes
  • Google Apps Migration for Outlook
  • Google Apps Directory Sync
  • Google Apps Cloud Connect
  • Google Apps Marketplace
  • How To
  • General Discussion
  • The Cloud Lounge

Google Apps Education Community

Google Apps Education Community Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Google Docs
  • Google Sites
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Mail
  • Google Video
  • Education Resources
  • School deployments

Google Apps Script

Google Apps Script Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Announcements
  • Getting Started
  • Services
  • Coffee Shop

Google Apps Solution Providers

Google Apps Solution Providers Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Technical Setup
  • Post Deployment
  • Sales/Marketing Topics
  • The Scoop
  • Reseller Program Operations
  • The Google Apps Marketplace forum has moved

Google Books

Google Books lets you search and preview books from libraries and publishers. Google Books Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Google Books and eBooks: Partner Questions
  • Google Books: Searching and Discovering
  • Google eBooks: Getting Started and Buying
  • Google eBooks: Reading and Managing
  • Tips, Tricks, and Cool Stories

Google Books API Family

Google Books API Family Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • General discussion

Google Chat

Google Chat Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Getting Started
  • Problem Solving
  • Voice and Video Chat
  • 3rd Party Clients
  • Advanced Topics
  • Coffee Shop

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with new technology designed to optimize web pages’ loading speed and improve user experience. Includes download and documentation.. Google Chrome Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Tips and Tricks
  • Apps, Extensions, and Themes
  • Suggestions
  • Coffee Shop
  • How Do I
  • Crashes
  • Install/Uninstall issues
  • Web Page Display Issues
  • Other Troubleshooting Help
  • Webmasters

Google Docs

Google Docs allows you to create, share and access your documents including word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and surveys from anywhere. Google Docs Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Spreadsheets
  • Presentations
  • Documents
  • Documents List
  • Drawings
  • Cloud Connect
  • How do I
  • Formatting
  • Importing and Exporting
  • Sharing
  • Report a Problem
  • Docs Community
  • Off-topic forum

Google Earth

Google Earth allows you to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3-dimensional buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. Google Earth Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Problems and Errors
  • Imagery / Data / Layers
  • Outreach / Education
  • Meet the Locals
  • PC
  • MAC
  • Linux

Google Grants

Google Grants Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Google Grants Eligibility and Program Details
  • Program Application Process and How to Check on the Status
  • AdWords Account Creation, Review and Activation Process
  • Managing Your AdWords Account for Google Grants
  • Optimization Tips and Tricks
  • Global Google Grants Questions
  • Other Google Services for Nonprofits
  • Non-profit and Grantee Resources
  • Webinars
  • Grantspro Forum

Google Merchant Center

Google Merchant Center Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Getting Started
  • Submitting Your Content
  • Troubleshooting
  • Tips and Suggestions
  • Announcements and Known Issues
  • Products Feed Specification changes

Google Mobile

Google Mobile Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Android Devices
  • Apple Devices
  • BlackBerry Devices
  • Nokia/Symbian Devices
  • Windows Mobile Devices
  • Other Devices
  • Google Sync: Mail, Contacts, Calendar
  • Gmail, Calendar, Tasks
  • Search+
  • Maps, Earth, Latitude
  • Google Buzz
  • Google Voice
  • Other Google Products
  • Android Applications

Google News

Google News is a search engine to the world’s numerous news sources that aggregates news headlines. Google News Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Google News Users
  • Google News Publishers
  • Quality of Google News Sites

Google Places for business

Google Places for business allows owners of local business to Google Places getting the business found on local search results on Google Search and Google Maps. Google Places for business Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Discuss How to Optimize Your Place Page
  • Discuss Adding New Features to Your Place Page Listing
  • Discuss Google Places Issues with Other Business Owners
  • Discuss Google Tags with Other Business Owners
  • Google AdWords Express

Google Reader

Google Reader is a free web-based aggregator that lets you read Atom and RSS feeds from blogs and news sites. Google Reader Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Something is Broken
  • Share Your Stuff

Google Sites

Google Sites offers free and easy tools to create and share web pages. Google Sites Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Ask a Question
  • Report a Problem
  • Share an Idea

Google Translator Toolkit API

Google Translator Toolkit API Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How To
  • General Discussion
  • Document, TM, and Glossary Format

Google Voice

Google Voice lets you have one number for all your phones, and allows voicemail, free US long distance, and low rates on international calls. Google Voice Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Sprint + Google Voice
  • Porting a Number to Google Voice
  • Making and Receiving Calls
  • Getting Started, Tips and Tricks
  • Using Google Voice on a Mobile Device
  • Account credit, security and privacy

Google Web Elements

Google Web Elements Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Calendar
  • Checkout
  • Conversation
  • Custom Search
  • Maps
  • News
  • Orkut Share
  • Presentations
  • Reader
  • Sidewiki
  • Spreadsheets
  • Translate
  • Virtual Keyboard
  • Wave
  • Youtube News
  • Unmonitored Discussion

Google Website Optimizer

Google Website Optimizer is a free website A/B testing and optimization tool for web pages especially landing pages. For example, optimizing landing pages of Adwords campaigns allows search advertisers to increase websites’ conversion rates and Adwords campaigns’ ROI. Google Website Optimizer Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Testing Strategies and Tactics
  • Technical Questions
  • Website Optimizer API
  • Other Website Optimizer Questions

Google Maps

Google Maps lets you find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions. Google Maps Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Map Won’t Load
  • New Feature Suggestions
  • Base Map Data
  • Other Maps Layers
  • Navigation and Directions
  • Creating Customized Maps Using the My Maps Feature
  • Maps Street View
  • Maps Water Cooler: Off-topic forum
  • Archived: Recreational Maps User

Orkut

Orkut is a social network site that is really popular in Brazil. Orkut Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Profile and Friends
  • Communities
  • Photos and Videos
  • Communication: Scraps, Messages
  • Suggestions
  • Bugs
  • Feedback
  • Mobile

Picasa

Picasa is a free software download from Google that helps you organize, edit, and share photos. Picasa Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Picasa for Windows
  • Picasa Web Albums
  • Picasa for Mac
  • Mac Uploader and iPhoto Exporter
  • Watercooler

Picnik

Picnik allows you to edit photos online, all in one place. Picnik Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Troubleshooting
  • Billing and Account Recovery
  • The Picnik Table
  • Picnik for Educators
  • API

Postini

Postini is Google’s email security and archiving services that makes existing email system more secure and compliant. Postini Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Announcements
  • Getting Started
  • Activation
  • General How-To
  • Configuration Settings
  • Email Delivery Questions
  • Troubleshooting
  • Archiving Questions
  • Google Apps Premier Edition / Postini

Rich Media

Rich Media Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Studio Flash Components
  • Studio Web Interface
  • Buy-Side Studio Ad-Serving
  • Sell-Side Studio Ad-Serving
  • News and Announcements
  • In-Stream and Video Ad-Serving in DFP
  • Innovative Executions

SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D sketching software for the conceptual phases of design. SketchUp Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • SketchUp
  • SketchUp Pro
  • LayOut
  • Style Builder
  • 3D Warehouse
  • Technical Problems
  • Feature Suggestions
  • Building Maker
  • The Courtyard

Google Toolbar

Google Toolbar lets you search from your browser and translate web pages in more than 40 languages. Google Toolbar Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Help with Toolbar for Internet Explorer
  • Help with Toolbar for Firefox
  • Sidewiki users
  • Toolbar Ideas and Suggestions
  • Windows
  • MAC
  • Linux

Webmaster Central

Google’s Webmaster Central offers Google Webmaster Tools that allows webmasters to receive information about how Google crawls, indexes and ranks websites. Webmaster Central Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • Crawling, Indexing and Ranking
  • Malware and Hacked Sites
  • Images and Video Content
  • Verification
  • Removing Content
  • Webmaster Tools
  • Sitemaps
  • Google +1 Button
  • Chit-chat

Web Search

Web Search Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I, Using Google Search
  • Finding Stuff on Google
  • Unexpected Search Results
  • Google Images
  • iGoogle Personal Homepage
  • Suggestions for Google Search
  • Google Doodles

YouTube

YouTube, Google’s video sharing site, allows anyone to discover, watch, upload and share videos. YouTube Help Forum has discussion categories in:

  • How Do I
  • Creator’s Corner
  • Accounts: Sign in and Sign Up
  • Uploading Videos
  • Watching Videos
  • Sharing and Social Features
  • Partner Forum
  • Live Broadcaster’s Forum
  • YouTube for Mobile
  • Feedback and Suggestions
  • Archive

Posted on August 21, 2011
Category: Google | Leave a Comment

Google Mega Sitelinks

Google put Mega Sitelinks in search engine results pages (SERP) for selected websites during Beta-testing. The recent launch of Google Mega Sitelinks for selected websites was spotted by Hobo SEO for sites including:

Google Sitelinks are now available to all websites that are eligible for Google Sitelinks, as confirmed by Danny Sullivan and Google’s Webmaster Central Blog.

Google Sitelinks shown under the first organic search result helps search engine users navigate websites.

  • Google analyzes the link structure of your website and finds web pages that will be most useful to users.
  • Google displays those web pages with titles as Google Sitelinks.
  • Webmasters can disable any individual sitelink from showing up in the SERP through Google Webmaster Tools.
  • Google Sitelinks include one line of text snippet that are of full-size text. Review optimize SEO META tags, page title, description, keywords, robots.
  • Google Sitelinks are displayed differently from query to query.
  • A maximum of 12 Google Sitelinks can show up for one site.

Google has been improving and changing the look-and-feel and layout of sitelinks in the SERP over the years. At one stage, Google showed one line Google Sitelinks.

PPC ads can also include sitelinks as Google Adwords PPC sitelinks.

Posted on August 16, 2011
Category: Google SEO | Leave a Comment

Google Plus Invitations

Google Plus Social Network allows you to organize your online friendship in Google + circles.

Existing Google + users can now send invitations to up to 150 friends. For people who do not currently have Google + account, you can ask your friends who have Google + accounts for invitations.

    Google Plus Invitations

Google Plus URLs

Sign in to/Access Google Plus directly with URLs:

  • http://plus.google.com/
  • http://www.google.com/plus
  • http://www.google.com/+

Google Plus for Websites/Blogs

After you have created different circles to segment friendships and added enough friends, websites that are monitored through Google Analytics should add Google +1 button to the websites.

Use Google Analytics to track Google +1 activities and view the social engagement report in Google Analytics.

20 Tips for Using Google Plus

Mashable puts up 2 articles that offer 20 tips to Google + users:

  • Add more information to your Google + profile pop-up window (Google + profile URL shortener is be handy)
  • Organize content with Google + circles
  • Click on profile pictures to scroll through
  • Disable sharing on posts
  • How to find Google + post’s permalinks
  • Drag and drop content to share
  • Change the visibility of your circles
  • Notify people about posts
  • Add special photo effects to Google +
  • All the Google + URLs
  • Check your “Added to Circle” notificiations
  • Filter your notifications
  • Select the correct thumbnail
  • Save time with the notifications toolbar icon
  • Tag people in photos
  • Enable high-resolution videos chat
  • Lock down the dimensions of your profile picture
  • Display your +1′s
  • View your “Nearby” stream on a computer
  • Send invites without an email address

Posted on August 13, 2011
Category: Google+ | Leave a Comment

Linkedin Job Title, Profile Updates

LinkedIn, world’s largest professional network site, started sending out email notifications with an image about your connections who have made job changes or job title changes in 2011.

How time flies. We’re already halfway through 2011 and 118 of your LinkedIn connections have started something new. Here they are.

Have you started something new in 2011? Let your connections know.

If you are a LinkedIn user with enough number of LinkedIn connections, you should have received notification regarding your connections’ job updates.

    LinkedIn - Your Connections' New Job Title Updates

It is important to ensure your LinkedIn resume/profile is up-to-date. Other LinkedIn tips include:

LinkedIn’s official blog offers tips to handle “horrible” bosses:

  • Keep an Open Mind: Assume your boss can miss details and being clumsy about interpersonal relations.
  • Connect Campaign: Connect with your peers/co-workers across different teams/departments. When working on projects, you should get feedback and support from peers/co-workers.
  • Have the Talk: Give honest feedback to your boss at the right time.
  • Be Prepared: Move on, if nothing works after you have tried.

Posted on August 10, 2011
Category: Linkedin | Leave a Comment

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