Tag Archives: internet marketing

Google’s Site Takedowns Spiked in 2012, Expected to Keep Increasing in 2013

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Local SEO, , , ,

According to TorrentFreak.com, Google has removed over 50 million URLs from the search results in 2012. It was expected that the number would rise due to Google’s Pirate update in August 2012, which involves the removal of sites that have a large number of legitimate DMCA takedown requests filed against them. The most “takedown” requests came from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Check out the graph below that shows the dramatic increase in takedown requests that starts in August when the Pirate update was introduced.

Google dmca

Numbers are expected to keep rising in 2013. Unfamiliar with the Pirate Policy? Read this article from Search Engine Land that covers the update.

Google+ Introduces Vanity URLs

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Search Engine News, , , , , , ,

Googleplusvanityurl1

According to Mashable, Google+ recently began rolling out its new vanity URLs. These URLs let users customize their profiles and make it easier for the user to direct others to their page or profile with an easy-to-remember web address.

Currently, each user has a long string of numbers as the link to their profile. (Ex: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106309878296259417958/posts) It’s impossible to remember and makes it hard for businesses to direct customers to their Google+ page. The new vanity URLs will allow users to choose a shorter, memorable URL that they can easily tell customers to visit.

Vanity URLs are only available to popular brands and celebrities on Google+ now (like Britney Spears, Toyota and Delta), but soon the company will make these available to everyone.

Will vanity URLs encourage you to use Google+ more often and send more customers to your page?

Breaking News: Yahoo! Announces New CEO

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Local SEO, Search Engine News, , , , , ,

MarissamayerYahoo! just announced Marissa Mayer has been named the company’s new CEO. Mayer’s previous experience includes 13 years at Google, where she was the VP of Search Product and most recently responsible for Local, Maps and location services.

According to Business Insider, Mayer was Google’s first female engineer. She helped launch over 100 new products and features including toolbar, iGoogle, Google Instant, Gmail, Google News and image, book and product search. She was also responsible for integrating Google Local into Google Everything search results.

Mayer, the fifth Yahoo! CEO in five years, follows Scott Thompson who resigned from his position after a scandal involving false credentials on his resume. According to LA Times, Yahoo! made the announcement after the markets closed. During the trading hours, shares fell $.09. However, in after hours trading, after the announcement was made, shares were up over 2%.