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Google Rolls Out its Knowledge Graph

Google has introduced a new technology that changes the way users search on the web. Launched last week, the Google Knowledge Graph works with users to determine their search intent. For example, search for a generic term like “orange” and a new window will appear with options asking what you intend to search for (the county, the city or the fruit). Simply click on your meaning and the Google Search results will filter accordingly.

The world’s largest search engine company has introduced a new feature to Google Search; the right hand column summary. A search for a well-known figure, for example, will lend a summary of that person’s bio, date of birth/death, achievements and other related figures to appear on the right hand side. This function of the Knowledge Graph is meant to guide people to potential serendipitous discoveries if a search for one topic leads to a related one.

The simplicity of this change carries great ramifications. Google is switching from simple keyword recognition to understanding the meaning of relationships and entities. Search terms are no longer a string of words but rather an identification of a person, place or thing. Google has built a database of over 500 million of these “things” and 3.5 million facts about them from Wikipedia, Google Local, Google Maps, Google Shopping and Freebase. Users will begin to see the new Knowledge Graph prominently in Google Search results in coming weeks.

It is still unclear how the Knowledge Graph will impact search engine optimization. Because Google is now focusing on grasping the user’s intent, it narrows down the field of search engine results. And by offering a more complete user experience without having to leave the page, it could mean more revenue coming in through Google Adwords.

For now, Google is collecting information from users so that eventually it will no longer have to ask for the user’s intent. What do you think about Google’s new Knowledge Graph? Do you find it to be helpful? Let Blue Interactive Agency know in your comments below!


How Lawyers Can Benefit from SEO

Search engine optimization is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a website organically when searchers type in targeted keywords on search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing. The ultimate goal is to get a website to rank on the first page of search engine results – where customers are most likely to look and find your business.

With more and more people going online to find businesses, it’s important for lawyers to market their law practice through a quality, search engine optimized website. SEO will help people to find your website in order to generate qualified leads and potential clients. The great advantage of SEO is that it can target specific keywords for each type of law practice, such as DUI or divorce attorney, to attract the right type of clients. Even better, long tail keywords such as “Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer” can narrow down your law practice to a more unique niche.

SEO results are easy to measure through tools like Google Analytics or metrics software like Omniture. These tools provide valuable data such as how many visits a website receives, how long people are staying on the site, where they are coming from and what keywords they are searching for. These analytics give insight on how to effectively market your website.

Compared to other forms of advertising, SEO is relatively inexpensive but has an enormous potential to increase exposure for a company. Search engine optimization is part of a long term interactive marketing strategy to help business increase their online visibility. In addition to law blogging strategies and social media marketing (see previous posts), Blue Interactive Agency helps law firms to maximize ROI by offering search engine optimization services at competitive rates. Contact us to see how we can help.


“Do Not Track” Web Browser Option Gaining Momentum

The Federal Trade Commission is appealing to online advertising companies to make their data collecting practices transparent. To give internet users more privacy, the FTC is putting pressure on the online advertising industry to adopt a “do not track” option for web browsers. Tracking cookies, stashed in your web browser, monitor your browsing habits and online activity to help a tracking company determine appropriate ads. Online advertising companies may serve up the ads directly, or sell consumer data.

The FTC suggests that privacy be the default, that sites’ collection habits be clear and that browsers provide some protection from tracking. Currently web browsers Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari already have the “do not track” button, and Google Chrome is expected to install the option later this year. For now, Chrome users can download Google’s Keep My Opt-Outs extension.

More than 10 million people are already using the option, which alerts websites and internet advertisers that those users do not want their browsing behavior tracked. Online advertisers including major players Google and Yahoo have promised to begin listening to the signal, although there is no consensus yet on how much privacy users should expect. Questions remain regarding exceptions to rule, such as whether data collection should be allowed for product improvement purposes.

The “do not track” proposal is part of the Federal Trade Commission’s multi-pronged report entitled “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change”, aimed at protecting consumer privacy both online and offline. The reports reads, “In today’s world of smartphones, smart grids, and smart cars, companies are collecting, storing, and sharing more information about consumers than ever before. Although companies use this information to innovate and deliver better products and services to consumers, they should not do so at the expense of consumer privacy.”

What do think about the “do not track” proposal? Let us know your thoughts below. Blue Interactive Agency is a Florida web design company aimed at helping businesses with SEO marketing, social media marketing, link building strategies and more. Our goal is to give companies all the tools they need to develop the best website marketing strategy possible for increased online visibility. For any questions, call us at 954-779-2801.


How To: Research and Analyze Keywords

You understand the importance of getting your website to rank on the first page of search engine results. To get targeted traffic to your website, the first step is keyword research and analysis. Keywords are crucial to any online marketing campaign, and you will be able to find the right keywords by using the right tools. Here are some tips and guidelines for choosing keywords that will increase your search engine rankings.

  • Keep it simple. Remember your target audience probably does not know industry-specific terms, so don’t get too technical when choosing keywords to describe your product or service.
  • On the other hand, don’t be generic. Keywords and phrases that are too general (such as “house” for real estate) will be difficult to rank so they will not drive as much quality traffic to your site. Creating long tail keywords between three to five words in length that specifically describe your product or service will attract the right customers and produce desired results.
  • Look for patterns in the way people search. Are they looking for a type of something, specific characteristics, or is there a location component? As you sort keywords, group them into categories. If you aren’t completely sure about a keyword, run a Google or Bing search to see if the right type of results comes up.
  • Use free SEO tools to help you with suggestions. The Google Keyword Tool and Wordtracker are some helpful free services.
  • Once you have your selected keywords, naturally incorporate them into the content of your website. If they are not used on any existing pages, make an editorial calendar of new relevant, interesting, keyword-rich content to create over time. Remember to add any new webpages to your sitemap as you go!

Keyword research and analysis is not a one-time procedure, but a process that should be refreshed periodically because people gradually change the way they search over time. If your company adds a new product or service, you should repeat the technique every time to stay competitive. If you have any SEO questions, Blue Interactive Agency has been helping companies for years with a wide range of services in search engine optimization and search engine marketing including keyword analysis, link building, and search engine submission. Contact us today to see how we can help.


Google Opens Doors for Summer of Code Program

Google is now accepting applications for Summer of Code 2012, an international program that offers post-secondary school students ages 18 and up a chance to write code for various open source software projects. Google has funded a selection of open source, free software, and technology-related groups in which students are matched up to participate in a summer of coding.

The three month internship, which is entirely run online, offers a stipend and mentors in the field to potentially assist with future job opportunities. The program was incepted in 2005, and has since brought together over 6,000 students and 3,000 mentors from over 100 countries. The goal of Summer of Code is to ultimately give students invaluable experience and exposure to real-world software development scenarios.

Currently, 180 mentoring organizations are participating in Summer of Code 2012 including abiword, Joomla, Mozilla, and Twitter. Students will be able to contribute to active free/open source software projects for these organizations. It’s a win-win situation for the mentoring organization, which looks more attractive to potential employees by participating in the program, and students, who gain real world experience to beef up their résumés.

 

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Google Play: The New Revolutionary Online Market

Google Play ExplainedGoogle has eliminated Android Market and introduced a new forum for digital entertainment, Google Play. The entirely cloud-based destination, rolled out on March 6, combines all the features from Android Market, Google Music, and Google eBookstore in one online space. Users can access movies, books, music, and apps on the web or on their Android smartphone or tablet. Any items previously purchased will still be available through Google Play, plus some additional features:

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