aimClear Search Marketing Blog

Do those old H1 tags still work? Actually word’s out, they don’t really count much anymore for SEO. Does quantity, power or diversity of inbound links take the hill for search engines ranking pages algorithmically for keywords? Actually, correlation data indicates that link diversity is a factor which has become more important.

SEO Ranking Factors in 2009 at SMX Advanced 2009 was a classic shredding session, originally blossomed from a session pitch submitted about “attainable SEO”. The esteemed panel was comprised of Rand Fishkin (SEOmoz), Laura Lippay (Yahoo), and  Marty Weintraub (aimClear). Danny Sullivan, Executive Editor of SearchEngineLand moderated. Read on for a  summary of which state-of-the art SEO ranking factors still work… and which page, site and keyword attributes are dead by the side of the road. Read the rest of this entry »

SEO’s cut their teeth in the keyword research process. The first few months of an SEO’s development is often spent in the “saltmines” researching and testing nearly endless variations of words and phrases in Keyword Discovery, Wordtracker and Google’s keyword tool. Are users searching for “trash cans” or “trash bins”? Read the rest of this entry »

For search marketing industry veterans, SearchEngineLand Editor-in-Chief Danny Sullivan needs no introduction. If you’re among the veritable legions of marketing professionals joining our ranks from traditional advertising trades, soon enough you’ll know his impeccable journalism and commitment to community.

Considered a founding “search engine guru,” Danny has been demystifying search engines for marketers, webmasters and users for well over a decade. His insight and expertise are regularly sought by mainstream media outlets including USA Today, The New Yorker, Forbes, The Wall St. Journal, The Los Angeles Times, ABC’s Nightline, Newsweek.

He’s Partner and Chief Content Officer for  Third Door Media, which also operates the highly regarded global  search marketing conference series SMX,  Search Marketing Now educational webcasts and  Sphinn.com, SEM mainstay social community.

Recently I had the opportunity to pose questions regarding  SMX Advanced, a brilliant 2 day SEM event he (and industry luminary Chris Sherman) sequence annually in Seattle.  ‘Advanced sold out in 2007, 2008 and is on track to do so again this year. Earlybird rates expire May 2 so register now to guarantee your attendance June 2 & 3, 2009.

We also discussed Danny’s passion for search, suggestions for Twitter, “tough love” for Microsoft Search and his recent move back to the United States after living in England. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Qi Lu, president of Microsoft Online Services Division, and Matt Cutts, head of Google’s spam team will keynote Search Marketing Expo – SMX Advanced June 2-3 in Seattle, WA. It’s your chance to tell Google (to their face) exactly where you want them to go next. Read the rest of this entry »

SEM industry writers, conference organizers and attendees are passionately defending, disparaging and debating ethics surrounding so-called “gray/black hat tactics” presented @ SMX Advanced Seattle. I was surprised to find such virulent threads in BruceClay Blog and Sphinn. The contrast of post-show buzz caught me off guard and now over initial reactions, I have a few reflections. Read the rest of this entry »

The midnight SeaTac passenger lounge seems strangely romantic to this bleary eyed writer, awaiting the 12:40AM flight to Minneapolis and then Duluth, Minnesota. I’m positive the excitement of SMX Advanced 2008 will not wear off before we all get together for Advanced again next year. This was one hell of a conference. Read the rest of this entry »

Aromatic Starbucks coffee (of course) fills my hotel room as first light, obscured by coastal fog, peeks through lace curtains here at the lovely Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

It’s exciting to think that dozens of true search industry luminaries are cloistered within one city block here in the heart of downtown Seattle’s famed waterfront district.

Search executives, consultants, clients, vendors, agencies and technicians handling billions of dollars in marketing-spend and commerce are about to lace up their casual business best and get down to some powerful discussion. SMX Advanced surely is the place to be this classic rainy Seattle morning. Read the rest of this entry »

Friends, we’re pleased to announce that aimClear will co-host an early second night stealth cocktail gathering in Seattle with our pals from Clix Marketing. Proprietor, PPC expert and all around good guy David Szetela and I will entertain those invited.

There’s no charge to attend and the early start leaves plenty of time for other parties you may have planned for later. We invite you to kick off the evening with us.

To receive an official aimClear/Clix invitation, in the form of coveted “Clix Orange” wristbands, just ask me personally or stop by the Clix Marketing booth on the SMX exposition floor. Here are the specifics: Read the rest of this entry »

Last Thursday in his post “Got A Great Organic SEO Tip? Pitch & Go To SMX Advanced!” Danny Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief, Search Engine Land, issued an invitation for “great” SEO tips.

The contest (Sphunn here) was intriguing to us because (a) I was already going to attend the conference on media credentials to cover & (b) I’m speaking @ SES Toronto later this month (along with several SMX Advanced speakers) and already have a couple of majors under the belt this year.

Friday we submitted ideas to Greg Boser (per SEL instructions) and were fortunate to receive an invitation to fill the 6th and final speaker slot for the “Give It Up” session on the last day. Thanks to SMX and Third Door for the invite. Read the rest of this entry »

A cursory glance at session titles belies the intense depth of SMX Advanced 2008. “Blow Your Mind Link Building Techniques,” “Conversion Optimization: Winning After They Arrive,” “Closing The Loop: Are You Tracking Every Lead?,” “You&A With Matt Cutts,” “Search Marketing & Surviving A Recession” and “Amazing New PPC Tactics” are but a few marquis presentations that have hard-core SEM pros salivating as they jet to Seattle June 3rd and 4th from all over the world. Read the rest of this entry »