Can a Redesign Affect Your Search Engine Rankings?
Google’s Matt Cutts has an interesting video up (one of many) on the Google Webmaster Central YouTube channel that deals with switching to a new content management system and how that can affect search engine rankings. Someone asks:
We are changing a farily large HTML site to CMS. What are the essentials to keep in mind so that we do not lose our search rankings?
Matt Cutts Answers Questions About Directories and Ranking
As you may know, Google’s Matt Cutts frequently answers questions from Google users on the Google Webmaster Central YouTube channel. There are a couple recent ones in which he addresses questions about directories and how they contribute to a site’s rankings.
The first question is:
Will Google consider Yahoo! Directory and BOTW (Best of the Web) as sources of paid links? If no, why is this different from another site that sells links?
Facebook Status Updates Going Public
This week, Facebook announced some coming changes to your status updates. Soon, just like with Twitter, you’ll have the option to make them public—but not just to everyone on the world’s most popular social network, but everyone around the world. (You know, with Internet access.)
IAB Gets New Chair, Vice Chair
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) announced that its Board of Directors has elected Chairman and Founder of 24/7 Real Media as Chairman. In addition, Neil Ashe, President of CBS Interactive was elected Vice Chairman.
The organization is comprised of over 375 media and tech companies, who are responsible for 86% of online advertising in the US. It’s core objectives are to:
Reasons Twitter Should Start Charging For Their Service
I am going to write something that is likely to be unpopular. Today I experienced a "perfect storm" of sorts regarding the Internet and the idea of free is good. This apparent entitlement mentality that is pervasive among Internet users that everything should free is going to potentially ruin a lot of good opportunities. Of course, all of this is in my opinion so you can take it for what it’s worth. At least reading it is free, right?
Yahoo Site Re-Design Coming In Fall
After years of poor performances and publicity turmoil, the powers that be at Yahoo! are embarking on one of the company’s most import brand overhauls.
Respected Security Expert Becomes ICANN CEO
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that it has selected security expert Rod Beckstrom as its new president and CEO. The announcement took place at ICANN’s 35th international meeting in Sydney, Australia.
"The importance of the Internet as a free flowing source of information is being underscored right now by the events in Iran," said Beckstrom. "It shows the power of human expression through a free and open Net."
Amazon Closes NC Affiliate Program, Before Vital Tax Legislation Vote
It appears as though Amazon’s email to affiliates regarding North Carolina’s pending taxes was not a bluff. I just received a follow-up email from the company saying it has decided to shut down its affiliate program in the state, as of today.
Columbia Pictures Brings You “Facebook: The Movie”
UPDATE: CNET has received some casting and possible plot details from someone in the industry…
Teen Media Habits Surprising to Some
Nielsen recently shared some findings from its report (pdf) on how teens use media. Interestingly enough, the results don’t live up to the stereotypical "teens are always texting" scenario.