Script: Welcome to this weeks SEO video blog, we thought we would review some of Google’s latest projects and in particular the labs for Google Maps.

There are some interesting new technologies that Google are testing, so we thought we would take you through our top 4 Google Map projects.

Firstly to view all the Google Labs tools, go to http://www.googlelabs.com/. Then select the ‘Google Maps Labs’ link on the right hand side.

You then get a series of options for testing new features, all you have to do is enable the feature you wish to trial and click ’save changes’.

Aerial views allows you to rotate and see a high resolution image of your selected location. Google has only trialled this for a few location, but you can see the enhanced graphic shown.

Map rotation allows you to change the perspective that map gives, so you can essentially rotate the map to suit your current location and position, rather than just based on default map orientation. This will work excellently for mobile devices.

Drag and zoom is exactly what it describes allowing you to simply drag and zoom on Google Maps.

Where in the world game - is a bit of fun, Google points to a location in the world and then gives you the choice of 4 options. After 10 different locations you are given a score.

We also thought that Google image labeler was worth a mention as it essentially directly contributes towards helping Google improve the relevance of the images shown for a search and image SEO.

The following was taken direct from Google. The rules are as follows:

You’ll be randomly paired with a partner who’s online and using the feature. Over a two-minute period, you and your partner will:

• View the same set of images.
• Provide as many labels as possible to describe each image you see.
• Receive points when your label matches your partner’s label. The number of points will depend on how specific your label is.
• See more images until time runs out.

After time expires, you can explore the images you’ve seen and the websites where those images were found. And we’ll show you the points you’ve earned throughout the session.

Lets take a look.

So if you go to Google and query ‘Google image Labeler’ and click the top link. Click start labeling and you will be partnered with another person wanting to play. Then you are given a set of random images to label, lets see how we get on..

At the end of the game you get given a score and you can visit the sites where the images were found.

We think this is an excellent method for Google to label images as the information comes directly from there end users. Have a go and see how you get on.

http://images.google.com/imagelabeler/

Thanks for watching this week if you have any questions of comments, please leave them on the youtube channel of supporting blog post.

Networking can lead to more content for better SEO

Firstly, I’d like to thank all those Twitter followers that have got back to us about contributing to their blog. We know it is difficult wading through emails, and for those that have taken the time to respond, it’s appreciated.

Right, so what is all this guest blogging about, and how can it help SEO? Many people find it hard enough to contribute to their own blog every day that the mere thought of writing for someone else fills them with dread.

Of course, there are many benefits for writing for other people, not only for networking purposes but to enhance your Search Engine Optimisation. With different communication outlets now available, it is easier than ever to approach people within the same industry to discuss ways to exchange content or links.

Many people still refer to content as ‘king’ and what better way to enhance your SEO than offering your expertise to other people. Many businesses will have a blog or news feed where you can offer your writing services for a guest blog and there are even those that will return the favour.

Guest blogging is a two way street. There are those businesses that are more than willing to expose your content and provide a link within the post. This strengthens your key phrases as well as exposing your business to others that may require your services.

With this in mind, it’s vital that you target those that would be interested in what you have to say. Guest Blogs are only successful, as with any content, if they are relevant, so research the company and take a look at what they may be interested in before you contact them.

So, if you currently are looking for others ways to improve your SEO, get writing. There are so many opportunities to be had from simply putting fingers to keys, so even if your struggle with your own blog, writing for others could open up a whole range of opportunities.

Yesterday, Twitter and Yahoo announced their partnership deal had been agreed. This probably comes as no surprise to many of you, when Google and Microsoft have already struck similar deals with the micro blogging platform.

The deal between Yahoo and Twitter should encompass three distinct areas. These are:

• To Access your Twitter feed directly from Yahoo
  You will be able to check for recent tweets directly from Yahoo Mail, Sports, and Yahoo Homepage amongst other Yahoo properties.
• Update status from Yahoo
  You will be able to update your Twitter status from a selection of locations on Yahoo.
• Search and Media Integration
  Twitter updates will soon be available from Yahoo Search, News, Finance and Entertainment.

The real-time search integration is already set up, and Yahoo users will probably already have noticed these within their search results.

Is Yahoo Playing Catch Up?

Many folks in the SEO / Social Media community have stated they believe Yahoo is playing catch up with Google and Microsoft – both of whom reached similar deals last year with the social media platform.

Do you think Yahoo is playing catch-up with Google and Microsoft? Use the comments section to share your thoughts!

Is this good for SEO?

Here at Creare, we always ask questions related to SEO, we care about the quality of search, and how this kind of deal impacts the end user. Time will tell whether this will have an impact on Yahoo users, but personally I can’t help believing that there will be positives as well as negatives. Some users will be pleased with this as it will make using Twitter more streamlined, and they will be able to do everything all from one place, others may find the constant twittering within their search results an annoyance. But, Twitter isn’t going away anytime soon – if you’ve not embraced it then do so, you may enjoy it and get totally addicted…

How To Avoid The SEO Scammers

Whilst most business owners were busy trying to save their cash during the economic downturn, SEO and online marketing was one area in which they were willing to spend out. Although the recession is reportedly over, sources have suggested that the budget designated for search engine optimisation is set to rise yet again throughout 2010.

So why is it that so many companies are willing to spend out on SEO?

Well, I think the answer is really simple – Across the world, from America to the UK and China to Australia, billions of people log on to the internet every single day. It isn’t just teenagers that use the web, individuals of all ages are interested in using the internet for a variety of purposes.

What’s more, whilst running a business on the local High Street can cost a large amount of money, running an online business is reasonably cheap in comparison. Just think about the money you could save by not spending out on rent and other such outgoings.

So, in the past few years there has been an influx in the number of businesses with websites, of course there is likely to be competition. SEO works to categorise companies in listings, in order of importance and relevance for a key phrase term. For example, if you are a plumber in London, you might optimise for the key phrase ‘Plumber London’.

If the correct techniques are applied to a business both internally and externally, it is likely that they will appear at page one, position one of the search engines for their main key phrases, ahead of the competition.

Avoiding the Scammers

So as I mentioned, businesses SEO budgets are set to increase yet again. Unfortunately, this brings with it a whole host of companies that claim to be experts in SEO, offering a quick fix miracle to help get businesses to the top spots of search engines.

Individuals with experience in SEO will know that there simply is no quick fix for getting to the top of the search engines. Yet, as many business owners have very little online marketing experience, this often results in individuals spending large quantities of money on practices that will not give them the competitive edge that they need.

What should you look for?

If you are a business owner looking to invest in SEO, many experts will recommend opting for Organic SEO rather than PPC. Whilst PPC is great for that initial kick start and organic SEO can take a little while before you see results, the latter is a long lasting option that should keep businesses at the top of Google for some time.

Business owners should also ask to see some of the work that the company has completed for their other customers. Perhaps look at where the SEO company is ranking themselves for their key phrases.

Above all business owners should feel confident that they trust the company and that they are not trying to sell any false promises. Read up on SEO and the techniques that are commonly used, so that you can understand what your consultant is discussing with you.

Ultimately the real key to success online is to choose the correct SEO company, what do you think are the attributes that business owners should look for in an SEO specialist?

It Has Never Been More Important to be on Page One of the Search Engines

According to the latest figures released by the Insolvency Service, around 30,000 businesses have gone bankrupt during the recession. While SEO is not a 100% sure-fire way of safeguarding a firm’s future, it does beg the question – how many of these would have survived if they had implemented search engine optimisation into their strategies?

Following the government’s recent claims that we have begun to tip-toe out of economic meltdown, it is perhaps surprising that there is still much doom and gloom around. Many forecasters are predicting that things are likely to get worse before they get better. Never before has being on the first page of Google mattered so much.

If you have the capabilities of selling your goods online, extending your customer base on a national or even international basis is essential. For those who operate locally, the advantages of being on page one of the search engines will naturally allow you to gain advantage over your competitors who are not.

As outlined in our blog post prior to Christmas - ‘Ensure You’re at the Top of the Search Engines this Time Next Year’, all of the usual SEO tactics apply to small businesses: keyword rich content, high-quality and relevant link building, blogging, appropriate tagging and sue of social media…there really is no big secret to search engine optimisation. Without wanting to over-simplify the whole industry, if these tools are used effectively there is no reason why a particular website shouldn’t be on page one of the search engines.

Fundamentally, being on page one of Google and Yahoo will yield more enquiries and therefore more sales for businesses in all market sectors. For instance, if you were to type ‘Window Cleaners Leicester’ into a search engine, it is highly unlikely you will look beyond, say, the top three companies listed before you find a firm that meets your requirements. Research by AOL has found that 63% of clicks are centred on the top three listings. Those that feature below this are unlikely to get a look-in.

It may be the case for uncompetitive phrases that getting to that all-important page one of Google requires minimal financial outlay. However, for the more competitive keywords such as national or big city phrases a more considered SEO approach will be required, which is where the benefits of working with a professional search engine optimisation firm are likely to reap excellent return on investment for small to medium-sized businesses, and help to safeguard their future.