Google Introduces "Interest-based" Advertising for Adsense

Calling all Adsense advertisers! Google announced that Adsense is undergoing some changes due to the upcoming launch of "Interest-based" advertising. My first thought was, what the heck is that?!

On their blog, Google explains that ....

"Interest-based advertising will allow advertisers to show ads based on a user's previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. "sports enthusiast"). To develop interest categories, we will recognize the types of web pages users visit throughout the Google content network. As an example, if they visit a number of sports pages, we will add them to the "sports enthusiast" interest category. To learn more about your associated account settings, please visit the AdSense Help Center at http://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/topic.py?topic=20310"

Although the description leaves something to be desired and is a bit cryptic, it seems clear that Google believes Adsense adversiers can look forward to increased visibility and bang for the buck in the future. Initially the offering will be limited to a certain number of advertisers as part of beta testing, but the remainder of users can look forward to seeing this in later 2009.

Anyone using Adsense will need to check their privacy policy and make any adjustments necessary to cover the new "Interest-based" advertising. The deadline for doing so is April 8, 2009. For info on how you can adjust your settings, you can visit https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=100557.

If you're interested in reading more about Google's interest-based advertising, you can visit the Inside AdSense Blog at http://adsense.blogspot.com/2009/03/driving-monetization-with-ads-that.html. Already there are multiple Google fans weighing in with over 80 comments and questions on the subject as of today, March 13th.

Wordtracker Giving Keyword Research a Facelift

Who out there researches keywords? If you ran away from the computer when I asked that question my sympathies are with you.


When Sumantra Roy first introduced the Keyword Efficiency Index and showed us how we could really determine which words to optimize our sites for in an effort to gain targeted traffic, he opened the door for massive crowds of people to work their way up the search engine ladder; I know because I was one of them (and so were my clients).



KEI compares the Count result (number of times a keyword is searched on) with the number of competing web pages and then assigns it a number (1-400) which pinpoints exactly which keywords are most effective for a campaign.

Companies like Wordtracker and WebPostion jumped on the bandwagon and saught to grab up the marketplace by offering tools to help with your search engine ladder climb.


But when the Internet took off (millions of websites rather than thousands), I saw a drop off in organic search engine optimzation. It seemed like competition had became so fierce that even if you would find the words you wanted to use, chances were that the KEI for that word was so low (less than 100) that you'd be trying forever to get your site noticed. It just became too tough to try and sit for hours sifting through keywords to help people searching Yahoo and Google find your site.


So the trend went from Organic SEO to Google's Pay-Per-Click program (Adwords) and was then followed up by the now popular Web 2.0. Latelly it seems all we talk about is the Web 2.0 craze. If you're familiar with it then you know how powerful it is to spread the wealth around - how working multiple networking sites can really help you bring in targeted traffic. If you're not familiar with it, check out this video by Mike Klinger, it tells you everything you need to know in less time than it takes to each lunch.


Last month I wrote to my ezine readers that they should consider returning a portion of their focus to Search Engine Optimization - that keyword research is still valid and we should do it. You might be thinking I'm crazy after just having told you how tough it is to actually do the research but trust me...the winds of change are blowing.


Wordtracker recently announced that they have redone their search tool. Although only select few of their customer base currently have access to the tool, we can expect to see it available to us within the next few weeks.Whereas the old tool focused specifically on KEI, the new tool will allow you to look at keywords through three important metrics:


1. frequency
2. competitiveness
3. commerciality

But the work isn't done yet! On their blog they've announced that with the new tool we will see as many as 9 times the keywords formerly available to us, a better measure of competition and commercial intent.

They are also asking us question such as:

• What metrics do you really need?
• Do you need prediction of the daily traffic a keyword may attract or do you just want to know the frequencies in our own database?
• How useful and accurate is the keyword effectiveness index (KEI)?
• What alternative ways to rank keywords would you like to see?
• How can we best report the competitiveness of a keyword?
• How do you uncover commercial intent?

What makes Wordtracker a standout product in my opinion is they are all about US, the person doing the research and they endeavor to make our lives easier. If you are a keyword research junky, I urge you to participate in the discussion they are hosting through their blog.

They key to gainig targeted traffic is to combine Web 2.0 with returned power of keyword research for a campaign that lets you take advantage of all the good things the Internet has to offer.

For more information on the Keyword Efficiency Index (KEI) see this post: http://www.wordtracker.com/database_help/keihelp.html

8 Ways to Look Your Best on Facebook

If you're on Facebook already then give yourself a big pat on the back. You've already taken an important step towards building your online business. If you're not on Facebook, what are you waiting for?

More and more increasingly people who have never been online or done any social networking are signing up with Facebook. Some want to connect with their past and others are looking to connect with their future.

But whether you're using Facebook for building a business or you want to stay in touch with people from your past (like you're high school and grade-school past!) you'll want to put your best "face" forward for the online world to see.

If you've joined Facebook and have no idea what to do next, take a look at the eight tips below. These are a great place to start.

Tip #1: Use a good, accurate picture
Facebook will allow you to upload as many pictures as you like, but you're only allowed one profile photo so be sure to make it a current picture of yourself! You may very well have some potential followers (business or otherwise) so select a photo that you are comfortable with everyone seeing and that helps you put your best face forward. As much as you'd like to, refrain from using a picture at that party you just attended that got a bit out of control because although your privacy settings can be engaged, no matter what, everyone sees your profile photo.

Tip #2: Share and share alike
While filling out your profile, be sure to fill in things like your "Favorite Music". Your musical taste says a lot about who you are, so list your favorite bands in your profile's "Favorite Music" section. Don't be one of those people who says, "I like pretty much everything." BORING!

You're on Facebook to show people who YOU are so be specific and give artist names and possibly album titles. One popular tactic is to sort your iTunes according to the "Play Count" or "Last Played" tabs, and then copy down what you find. These tips also apply to your Favorite Movies and Books sections.

Although you may not find yourself landing any jobs from listing your music, movies or book interests, you must might find someone connecting with you out of similar interests and the possibilities for that are endless.

Tip #3: The more the merrier
For those of us who grew up in the pre-Facebook era, I know it can be embarrassing to reach out to old friends and say "will you be my friend?"

Well get over it because the social networking can only start when you belong to a good sized community who know and like you! Once you've joined a community you can begin making new friends and contacts. You'll also be that much more likely to hear from a random person (or two) that you knew back in grade school who's looking for exactly the product or service you have to offer.

Tip #4: Write it on the wall
Although most of us got into trouble for writing on walls as kids, Facebook wall scribbling is definitely something you need to do (and it's good etiquette)! Writing on a Facebook wall is one of the easiest and best communication features at your fingertips.

Because the wall is public and everyone can see it, you'll want to follow a few guidelines for posting.

• 
  Don't leave personal information (such as your new phone number or email address)
• Don't write any sensitive correspondence (such as how angry you are at your significant other or parent).
• Don't tell stories about wild weekend trips that you took (you know the one where you can't remember anything, but there are pictures you'd rather not see).
  

Keep your postings fun and interesting but leave sensitive stuff for personal messages or even email.

Tip #5: Connect the dots
No matter your use (business or personal) it's always a good idea to add your blog, or Twitter account to your Facebook page if you have one or both. This is made easy by various Facebook applications that pull in content from all over the Web directly to your page.

Instead of manually adding your latest blog post into Facebook, automate things (and save time) by setting up an application to share your newest posts whenever they go live on your site/blog. The more you update, the more your friends will keep coming back to your page, which is kind of the essence of social-networking.

Add your blog to your Facebook page by visiting the Blog It app or surfing to: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=14103720714

Add Twitter updates to your Facebook page by visiting: http://rumahabi.com/7-steps-to-connect-twitter-to-facebook-status-updates.html

Tip #6: Join a Network
What is a network and why should you care? A network can be a group of folks from places as far flung as your school, your company, city, or hobby you love. Networks can be just about anything.

Adding a network also give you the freedom to you manage your privacy settings on the site. By selecting your networks you'll then be able to set your profile's visibility within different networks. For example, you can let people in your city see your contact information, while you can give full access to everyone from your company.

Tip #7: Avoid "Facebook overwhelm"
Now that you're connected to everyone and everything, it's important you remember that yes, you do have a day job! Social networking is fun but everything in moderation. Remember to set your email notification settings so that you don't become flooded with hundreds of Facebook updates.

To set your email notification settings, click the "Account menu" and then "Notifications" and you'll be greeted with a huge list of Facebook events. To turn off email each time you receive a message, switch the radio button to "Off."

If however, you have "Facebook Fever," you can open the door for nonstop updates by going to the "Mobile" tab and activating your cell phone. Once you do this, you'll receive friend requests, messages, status updates on your cell phone

Tip #8: Be watchful
As with any other popular place, Facebook (and other social-networking sites) have its share of scammers. You can find these usually in the form of spam e-mail and random messages posted to your wall. Stay safe by not opening any links or files or Facebook messages from folks you don't know. Also, be skeptical of links posted on your wall that don't seem legitimate.
Hopefully this list of eight tips will get you started on Facebook, but if you require more assistance please feel free to contact me for help.