The current Google versus the new Google
If you call yourself a digital expert, you should be very aware of the impending updates to the Google algorithm. A new Google is on the way, code-named Google Caffeine.
There has been a lot of debate in recent months about how different the new Google Caffeine will be to the current Google algorithm. Apparently, the new Google will be faster, and reach even further into the beast we know as the internet. This means that social media channels will become more prevalent than they are currently, in Google’s search results.
This is all well and good, but how does the new Google affect my current search rankings?
Well, I’ve been told that if you’re using white hat search engine optimization methods, you won’t have too much to worry about. But I wasn’t satisfied with that, so I went and did a bit of research and came across these two handy tools.
Choose your weapon for the battle: Google Caffeine up against the current Google
1. Split screen comparison tool
This is probably the most straight forward method of measuring the impacts of the new Google algorithm versus the old Google algorithm. It splits the screen into two sections, one with SERPs (search engine results pages) from the old Google, and one with the SERPs from the new Google. It’s very handy, as you can compare the results of each algorithm side by side. I typed in the keywords “bread digital” and was pleasantly surprised to find that I ranked in the first page of the new Google, but not in the old. Thumbs up Google Caffeine
For those of you who have optimized your website (or individual pages within your site) based on specific keywords, this tool will be of interest to you. Like the previous split screen comparison tool, this one returns results for both the old and new versions of Google on-the-fly. The difference with this tool, is that it displays your ranking for each version of the search engine straight up, rather than returning the full set of search engine results for you to have to painstakingly search through . As I mentioned earlier, this makes it a great tool if your sites are currently finely tuned for specific keywords and you want to validate the effects of the new Google algorithm.
If neither of these tools float your boat, you can always do your own analysis of the new Google Caffeine algorithm using the old and faithful method of opening two separate browser windows. If this is your desired approach, here is a link to preview the new Google Caffeine – http://www2.sandbox.google.com. You will notice that the User Interface is almost identical to the old version…it is behind the scenes that the big changes have apparently taken place.
If you have any more insights about the new Google, I’d love to hear them, just leave a comment below.
iSaw – Worlds First USB Chainsaw
The iSaw USB Powered chainsaw has to be one of my favourite ‘products’ for 2009.
I mean, look at it…. it’s a chainsaw, that has to be plugged into a USB slot to run. Awesome! Who needs a USB-powered coffee cup cooler when you can have a chainsaw on your desk. And at only 3.7kg, suitable for home or office use, and the ability to cut through any type of wood – how can you go wrong?
Well, you haven’t even seen the most radical part yet!
The iSaw is actually a crafty website-based viral campaign. When you opt to pre-order the saw for a meagure $59.95 (plus shipping, of course), you are presented with a little surprise.
The iSaw is in fact a spoof product, designed to remind you that each time you print a page in your home or office, that your PC is actually already a chainsaw, chopping down tree after tree.
It’s a well executed campaign don’t you think (however I must say, I was a little excited about the prospect of having a chainsaw sitting on my desk).
Texting and driving video goes viral
A new British public service movie aimed at young drivers is currently receiving hordes of viral attention. The movie, shot in a countryside setting in the UK, shows the dangers of sending text messages while driving (you can view the movie at the end of this article).
Despite being a little graphic, I found this movie to be highly watchable, and it is certainly effective in communicating the tragic consequences of careless mobile phone usage while driving, at any speed.
As part of my current role with JSA Digital‘s Middle Eastern office, I currently live in Dubai, and commute to Abu Dhabi along one of the world’s most dangerous motorways each day (there was a 200 car pile up last year, with over 300 people inured). I see the wreckage from many accidents on most trips, and firmly believe that many of these accidents could be avoided with the appropriate educational campaigns such as this (particularly since this region of the world is renowned for their extremely high mobile phone usage).
This movie is a great case study for several reasons, as it manages to provide a service to the community using simple online technology. It also further illustrates that it is important to find out where your target audience is ‘hanging out’ online (in this case, younger audiences who are inclined to use SMS message a lot, are also inclined to use YouTube frequently).
Bing goes the internet
Microsoft recently held a competition aimed at promoting their new “Google-killer” search engine, Bing.
The competition required entrants to write a jingle, with an accompanying movie clip, about Bing. All entries were posted to Bing’s YouTube channel (which is a bit of a slap in the face for Google, since Google owns YouTube!). The movie with highest number of views and rates was deemed the winner.
….ahem….can you believe that the below movie, by Jonathan Mann, is now the official jingle for Bing?
Terrible isn’t it?
But also terribly viral, particularly since it has already been deemed “worst commercial ever” by a couple of large and extremely influential technology blogs.
Hats of Microsoft, you’ve done really well to create some viral stir for Bing, while also introducing some long overdue light-heartedness to your marketing message. This campaign also goes to show that your own marketing department really don’t need to lift a finger (and can get back to more important things, like their game of solitaire 
2009: Whats next in marketing and advertising
I came across another great online presentation this week. What’s Next in Marketing and Advertising 2009 offers some great insights into the demise of traditional advertising mediums, and the rise of new marketing techniques that are more personal and engaging (such as online and interactive marketing channels).
My favourite slide is slide 9, below.
To view the rest of the presentation, just scroll down and click play.
I’d love to hear any opinions you may have, so feel free to leave your comments!
What the F! is social media
If you are vaguely interested in the field of social media, in any capacity whatsoever, this movie is a must-see.
Titled What the F@#k is Social Media, the movie below not only presents some hard data about social media usage, but it contains some key insights which are fundamental principles for any organisation looking at implementing a social media campaign.
I’ll let the movie do the talking – click Play on the movie control panel below to get started (during the movie you might need to pause here and there, as some of the frames scroll through very quickly!).
Enjoy the learning!
YouTube-based websites…huh?
I’ve started to notice a trend in YouTube based websites. And no, I don’t mean websites that contain YouTube movies.
I mean Youtube movies that are actually functioning websites, in their own right.
These movies are based upon a multi-level website architecture, just like a normal website.
The front-end design (otherwise known as ‘the movie’) is embedded with navigational elements, just like a normal website. For example, “About Us” and “Contact Us” buttons are built into the movie itself, which link to other ‘pages’ within the YouTube-based website (these ‘pages’ are actually other movies uploaded to YouTube).
And the end result, is that you can watch, an interact with the YouTube movie, just like a normal website!
If you’re still a little confused, as I was, check out the new YouTube-based ‘website’ for online marketing agency Boone Oakley at the end of this post. Yes, this movie as actually what appears when you key their domain, booneoakley.com, into your browser.
The benefits of using YouTube based websites to communicate your marketing message?
1. Free web-hosting – Uploading movies to YouTube is free
2. Alternative source of high-quality traffic – YouTube is considered the second biggest search engine…second of course, to Google…however the ‘type’ of traffic on YouTube is generally more engaged than your typical Google web surfer
3. Viral potential – People are more likely to embed YouTube movie links into their online social portals, such as their Facebook profiles, their Twitter accounts, and blogs
4. Optimisation and streaming - In comparison to other animated website techniques (such as Flash animations), YouTube movies are optimised during upload to stream as efficiently as possible, so that the end viewer has a pleasant viewing experience
The SEO Rapper – mOserious
The SEO Rapper is a highly entertaining American chap who raps about various online marketing concepts. To date, he’s written and busted out lyrics on paid-search, conversion, and effective website design, just to name a few.
Rap, or hip-hop, is a form of spoken word performance often accompanied by a beat and some catchy little melodies. So yes, it goes without saying that traditionally, online marketing concepts and grungy backbeats don’t go hand in hand.
For those internet marketers who fancy a bit of ghetto flavour every now and again, you’ll get a kick of this – I sure did! Check out the SEO Rapper in the video clip below (you’ll find more of his work on YouTube).
