SeoAlchemist

Two years ago, Google launched Google Chrome – a browser based around the open-source program Chromium. Today, the latest version of the browser was released making it the sixth version to date. Google reports that today Chrome is now three times faster than when it was released in 2008 when it comes to JavaScript performance.

Among the new features introduced in version 6 are: auto-fill and auto-fill synchronization and more than 6,000 extensions; all of this change is meant to enhance the way users browse and make for a more lightweight feel. The new color scheme is meant to be easier on the eyes and the merging of the two menus into one makes the browser’s appearance more streamlined.

Over the next few months, Google reports, there will be even more advancements made to Chrome – including the launch of the Chrome Web Store, which will make finding web applications much easier.

The new stable version is available for download now and Google has stated that versions 7 and 8 will be out this year; they have decided to release a new version every 6 weeks. Chrome OS is also due out by the years’ end.

Check out the SEO Tools guide at Search Engine Journal.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Google Chrome!

After almost a decade of being in a search partnership, Google and AOL have announced this morning that they have come to a five-year contract renewal and expansion agreement. With this partnership, Google will continue to power AOL’s searches in addition to providing mobile search. Also, YouTube has agreed to to bring AOL videos to its site as part of the expansion.

This renewal can definitely be seen as a win in Google’s column, seeing as how Bing was after the deal as well. However, AOL says that Google sends more traffic to AOL sites.

“Today is another important step in the turnaround of AOL,” said Tim Armstrong, AOL’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “AOL users will be getting a better search and search ads experience from the best search company in the world – Google. After nearly a decade-long partnership in search, we’re looking forward to expanding our global relationship to mobile search and YouTube. All aspects of our partnership will be improved by this deal.”

Check out the SEO Tools guide at Search Engine Journal.

Google and AOL Renew and Expand Long-Time Search Partnership

Remember back in 2001, during the good old days (of the internet) when you could actually use Google Adwords as a means to drive quality traffic to your website, at an extremely low investment to the advertiser? Back when niche keywords cost .05 – .20 per click and if you really wanted to open up your pockets and bid on broader terms, you would pay .25 – .75 per click.

Now days you would be so lucky to find a niche where you can pay under $1.00/click. What I am saying is that the days when small advertisers could gain visibility (at least in the paid results) on Google are over. Small advertisers don’t have a budget to “test” keywords, landing pages, offers, etc… For a small, local businesses, $250/month is a lot of money!

The problem is that over the past 10 years, the competitive landscape has gotten much more saturated. There are bidding wars between advertisers to push their ads towards the top. I know, I know…Ad Quality Score plays a factor in how much you pay per click, but I’ll tell you something, if you have deep pockets and are willing to pay a lot per click…Google will put you at the top. So when push comes to shove, the big brands and large corporations with the bigger budgets, are the ads that are still going to be showing.

The Solution

So what can small, localized business do? The good part is that there are so many new and innovative ways you can drive traffic to your site. Just to stay focused on Paid Search, you can try newer ad platforms like Facebook Ads and MyAds (Myspace Ad Network). Facebook Ads in particular has been getting a lot of attention recently because the CPCs are reasonable, you have a ton of awesome targeting options, and…oh yeah…Facebook gets a ton of traffic!

To the Small-Business Owner: Don’t let Adwords put a bad taste in your mouth about paid search. Paid search can still be a valuable marketing tactic; you just need to find other outlets that can still drive quality traffic at lower costs. I would strongly recommend to keep your mind open to other paid search techniques. It may be that you can drive the same amount of traffic that Adwords would bring you, with Facebook and MySpace ads at half the cost.

Using best practices to increase ROI:

• Create relevant landing pages
• Use strong call to actions
• Use free content as a means of lead generation
• Use promotions and timely specials to entice user action
  

Check out the SEO Tools guide at Search Engine Journal.

Why Small Advertisers Can’t Use Adwords Anymore!