(August 2006) Here are the latest news headlines and articles from Pandia Post. Go to www.pandia.com/searchworld for the online version of this news service.
Convenient search features from Rollyo
Those of you who are familiar with Rollyo will know that it is a convenient and charming search tool that has been around for almost a year now. Recently, some new tools have been added that make Rollyo interesting for all you searchers out there.
What is Rollyo
Rollyo is a service that lets you make your own customized search engines called search rolls. The search rolls can be accessed from the Rollyo home page, or you can cut and paste code that will display the search box on your web page or blog.
If you click Explore in the top menu, you can find and use all kinds of search rolls, some of them made by top experts in their field.
Customize Rollyo
Now you can edit any of these search rolls to make them your own by clicking Edit Searchrolls on the main page. You rename it and add or subtract sites to search. You can also choose a category for your new search engine and you can tag it so that others will know what it’s about.
Make your own search engine with the Yahoo Search Builder
Yahoo! Has launched what it calls a search builder. It lets you build a specialized search engine tailored to your interests, your business, your web site etc.
This is done in four easy steps: Define your search engine, design the search box, brand the search results and add it to your site. Here at Pandia we tested it this morning and it took us all of 20 minutes.
Optimizing WordPress blogs for the search engines
How to configure WordPress for maximum search engine visibility.
By Pandia Guest Writer Christian Van Den Berge
WordPress is getting more popular by the day. It enables people to set up a blog, and even a complete website within minutes.
I get asked for specific SEO tips for WordPress very often. Basically all the ‘usual’ SEO stuff is also applicable for WordPress.
But besides that, there are a few special tips for WordPress I’d like to share with you.
Omgili, a new discussion forum search engine
Omgili is a search engine designed to index web-based discussion boards.
Anyone doing some serious research on a topic will know that regular web sites and support pages seldom give the exact information you need when you are looking for something specific – let’s say a computer problem or the search for a specific product.
However, the web is huge, and normally there will have been someone out there having been in the same tight spot. Moreover, many of them will have posted their question to an online discussion forum, getting advice from all the experts hanging around in such social communities.
If you have been online for a while, you will have found your favorit foums, places with commentators knowledgeable in you field of work. Search engine marketing people will, for instance, frequent places like Webmaster World and Search Engine Watch Forums.
Google search engine for the blind
Google is testing a new web search for the visually impaired.
Google Accessible is a new search portal for the blind and the visually impaired. It is based on the regular Google search engine, but adds another dimension to the search algorithm.
Google Accessible gives a boost to the most accessible pages in the regular Google results, i.e. pages that degrade gracefully, meaning pages with few visual distractions and pages that are likely to render well with images turned off.
Google Accessible Search is built on Google Co-op’s technology, which improves search results based on specialized interests.
See also Google Blog: Finding easy-to-read web content
Using Google Trends for search engine optimization
You can use Google’s new Trends service for keyword analysis.
By Pandia Guest Writer Paul Flyer
Can you imagine seeing how many searches have been performed on Google for important keywords?
Google Trends is a new tool developed by Google Labs to help webmasters see keyword search volume. Users can enter up to five keyword phrases and Google will return a line chart showing the comparative volume trend over the last two years.
Search engine optimization with a feminine touch
Is there such a thing as a feminine approach to search engine optimization? Pandia takes a look at a new book by Jennifer Grappone and Gradiva Couzin.
There is a huge debate going on both within the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities regarding the differences between the genders. Are differences in behavioural traits inherited or are they due to cultural differences?
On an aggregate level there probably are such differences, even if we know quite a few women from Mars, and men that have grown up in the vincinity of Venus.
The question here is then whether we can find such differences in the area of search engine marketing and optimization, i.e. the art of desinging a web site that ranks well in the search engines combined with an efficient use of pay-per-click text ads.
The Page Strength Indicator, a new way of measuring the importance of a site
Pandia takes a look at indicators for web site popularity in general and the SEOmoz Page Strength indicator in particular.
We live in a culture obsessed with indicators and statistics. It is as if any phenomenon that cannot be measured is unreal in some strange way. Hence benchmarking has become one of the buzzwords of the day.
Admittedly part of the explanation for this trend is the competitive streak of homo sapiens, and the need of business people and policy makers to measure the efficiency of their strategies and measures.
It is hard to measure the success of a web site or a web page, however, as it all depends on what it is you are trying to find out: The number of visitors? The number of sales caused by a web page? The number of voters rallying to your cause?
Using Google Alerts for Intelligence Gathering
Google Alerts sends you email alerts you can use to spy on competitors, keep track of the online buzz and get ideas for articles.
By Pandia Guest Writer Adam McFarland
Keeping track of news and web development
At times it seems that Google releases more new products and services than we can keep track of. From Google Calendar and Google Video, to Google Base, Google Finance, and Google Trends, it can be overwhelming just to remember what each one does.
One of the oft overlooked hidden gems in Google’s enormous offering is Google Alerts. Within minutes, one can be signed up for email alerts that can give them and their business a leg up on the competition.
From the Pandia archives
DMOZ meta tag to stop Google from using Open Directory description
Google Sitemaps META tags give you more control of your search listing description.
Search engine conferences and workshops
Learn about Internet searching and search engine marketing by taking part in a search engine conference or workshop. Pandia looks at conferences and workshops for people interested in search engine marketing and Internet searching, including webmasters, marketers, internet professionals, librarians and researchers.
The Four E’s of a Successful Pay-per-Click Advertising Program
Key Components That Guarantee a Return on Investment for PPC Management
Google jockeying – search engines in the classroom
The innovative teaching practice called Google jockeying might be an effective tool to help students acquire skills for online research while mimicking their own learning strategies.
Google help searchers find their way around American government web sites.
Does the world need a search engine marketing magazine? Pandia has the answer.
Linking and the new Google search rank algorithm
Google’s Big Daddy reshuffle and recent changes in the way the company selects and ranks Web pages have caused confusion and despair among webmasters. Pandia tries to put things right.
Search the Web more efficiently
Pandia updates several search engine tutorials.
Google continues to be the biggest search engine in the US
Google accounted for 50 percent of all searches conducted in April, followed by Yahoo! and MSN, with 22 and 11 percent.Nielsen/NetRatings reports that Google accounted for 50 percent of all US searches conducted in April, followed by Yahoo! and MSN, with 22 and 11 percent. However, Google is not the leading web site of the US, nor does it control the social networking scene.
Security risks when using search engines
McAfee has published a study on the security risks involved when using search engines.
The AllofMP3 music search store - MP3 crime or creativity?
On the Russian AllofMP3.com online music store: A work of genius or a product of the Russian mob?
What to do when your site has been dropped by the search engines.
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In depth search engine coverage
Pandia will bring you the latest search engine news updates several times a week.
However, if you want to get an in depth perspective on search tools and search engine marketing, you may also subscribe to Planet Ocean's monthly Search Engine News newsletter.
The Planet Ocean newsletter is part of a package that includes a regularly updated ebook on optimization and the search engine scene.
Find the right keywords!
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On Google AdSense
Learn what Google never told you about Google AdSense: On how to generate more Web site revenue from Google's text ads.
Buy the ebook now!