Columns > Search Illustrated
Search
Illustrated uses graphics to illustrate complex
topics in search marketing by breaking them down into easily
understood pictures and diagrams. The Search Illustrated
column appears Wednesdays at Search Engine Land.
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May. 13, 2008 at 8:00am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: How A Search Engine Determines Duplicate Content
With so much good content on the web, it's inevitable that the same information will be displayed many times over. Whether it's a blog post pointing to good statistics, an RSS feed pulled into a complementary site, or blatantly copied material, duplicate content can be an issue. This week's...
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May. 6, 2008 at 7:07am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: 301 And 302 Redirects Explained
Moving a website from one domain to another? The safest way to make the move is to use "redirects" which alert the search engines, so that you don't damage or lose your current rankings after the move. But redirects always inspire questions. Which type should I use? What will...
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Apr. 29, 2008 at 7:21am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Inside The Search Algorithm
The Algorithm. If an SEO had a nickel for every time that phrase was mentioned in a day... Over time we've become more comfortable with the main triggers that affect search rankings. But, it's leveraging the sum of all factors that can really give you an advantage over the...
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Apr. 22, 2008 at 1:24pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: International SEO Tips
Search engine optimization can extend far past domestic versions of the major search engines. Some globally-focused companies want increased visibility in country-specific search engines outside of the U.S. market. This week's infographic illustrates some tips and best practices associated with successful international optimization....
See Related Stories In: SEO: General, Search Illustrated
Apr. 15, 2008 at 8:04am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Search Benefits Of The Blogosphere
There are many aspects of the blogosphere that make it attractive to search marketers: the sharing and distribution of content, the potential for viral marketing and link bait, and the associated linking opportunities. But, so much more goes into the relationship we have with blog communities. This week's infographic...
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Apr. 8, 2008 at 5:32am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Link Juice Is Good For You!
Are all links created equal? Most search marketers know the answer to that question is a resounding no. But, how do you differentiate between links to figure out which ones are better than others? Today's infographic visualizes the various site and link components that combine to form "nutritious, healthy"...
See Related Stories In: Link Building: General, Search Illustrated
Mar. 25, 2008 at 8:15am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Link Blazing To The Good Neighborhood
There are many places and ways to get links to your site. While some are easier than others, it takes time to earn quality links. This week's infographic visualizes two link paths: one to the good neighborhood and one to the bad....
See Related Stories In: Link Building: General, Search Illustrated
Mar. 18, 2008 at 3:04pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Factors That Increase TrustRank
Just like you choose to buy products from companies you trust, search engines factor in levels of trust when determining which websites to include in their search results. Whether it's an issue of security, privacy, or just easily-accessible information, every little bit helps when it comes to the search...
See Related Stories In: SEO: General, Search Illustrated
Mar. 11, 2008 at 8:33am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: The Anatomy Of Successful Paid Search Ads
Although occasionally used on its own, paid search can be a great complement to an organic optimization strategy. Research has shown that having a presence in both natural and paid results increases the overall likelihood of receiving a click. This week's infographic breaks down some of the main ways...
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Mar. 4, 2008 at 3:36pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Building Trust Through Search Marketing
Search marketers know it's important to optimize company websites in order to be found on search engines. But, customers' trust can be grown through so many additional avenues. Today's infographic demonstrates how various SEM tactics—in addition to just SEO—allow buyers to find out about products, not only on companies'...
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Feb. 26, 2008 at 7:40am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: How To Use Social Media Sites
As SEOs, we know that a little creative thinking goes a long way in using social media sites to promote a business. In one way or another, these collaborative communities provide endless opportunities for viral and word-of-mouth marketing. This week's infographic provides a handy snapshot of the top social...
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Feb. 12, 2008 at 4:15pm by Chris Sherman
Search Illustrated: The Value Of Search Engine Marketing
Many cases can be made for different types of effective advertising. But what makes search engine marketing stand out from the rest? Today's inforgraphic demonstrates the mindset of the buyer and their ability to easily convert while in the medium:...
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Feb. 5, 2008 at 7:42am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Building A Company With Social Media
So much discussion in the SEO community today centers around social media because of its potential to drive traffic, increase awareness, and build links. The challenge of this new medium, though, is to marry social media tactics with real business goals. Today's infographic explores some ways that a business...
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Jan. 29, 2008 at 7:04am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: B2B Long Tail SEO
It's hard to dispute that the Long Tail is an important concept in Search. A lot of times, though, we tend to think of the long tail as being a B2C concept by relating it to specific product names in ecommerce situations. But, it's just as relevant in the...
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Jan. 22, 2008 at 12:09pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: The Power Of Anchor Text
Having relevant keywords as the anchor text of a link is extremely beneficial to an SEO campaign. Because search engines depend on links as a sort of pathway around the Internet, anchor text helps categorize what a destination page will be about as well as what it may be...
See Related Stories In: SEO: General, Search Illustrated
Jan. 15, 2008 at 11:36am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: An SEO Checklist
When it comes to SEO, there are certain elements that need to be in place for any newly-designed website. Have 301 redirects been put into place? Is the robots.txt file authored to allow adequate crawling? This week's infographic depicts a handy checklist that will help get you through any...
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Dec. 18, 2007 at 7:48am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: SEM Strategy Matrix
With so many tactical options available to today's search marketer, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which approaches are best for achieving specific goals. Should press releases be optimized for increased brand awareness? Or, will a PPC campaign achieve better results? This week's infographic matches common marketing goals...
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Dec. 11, 2007 at 10:01am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: The Value Of An Inbound Link
Most SEOs know how important inbound links are to a successful search marketing campaign. After all, links are widely considered to be the backbone of Google's ranking algorithm. However, inbound links can carry many different meanings beyond just a top ranking. This week's infographic explores three different perspectives on...
See Related Stories In: Link Building: General, Search Illustrated
Dec. 3, 2007 at 7:12am by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Search Engine Sitemaps
Looking for a way to direct the search crawlers to each and every page on your website? Google, Yahoo, and MSN have all agreed to support one method of submitting a site's pages: through an XML map placed on the root of a website. This week's infographic shows how...
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Nov. 20, 2007 at 1:39pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Video Optimization
Compelling video content can potentially open the door to site traffic, targeted visitors, and increased brand awareness. But, are the videos on your site easy for search engines and prospective customers to find? Today's infographic demonstrates some quick and easy steps for optimizing videos:...
See Related Stories In: SEO: Video Search, Search Illustrated
Nov. 13, 2007 at 12:57pm by Elliance
Search Illustrated: Podcast Optimization
Optimizing your audio files takes more than just recording your message. Today's infographic details the steps needed to ensure your podcasts have the best potential of being found by the listeners and search engines alike:...
