Sandbox Part 3
So let's see, still in the sandbox.
Added links from:
- Trusted article sources
- Wikipedia
- A number of local search sites
- Social (micro-blogging and ugc)
Additional site content added:
- Added a Blog (up to 10 entries right now)
- Added +100 words of additional rich content to a number of subpages
Still nothing, ranking 140 for the main keyword, top 50 for second tier keywords and top 10 for third tier keywords. This is what really sucks, my site has better content and links than my competitors but Google is taking a while to figure it all out. I did find one really good link opportunity that I think will be the shove that pushes my site over the edge and into relevant ranking land but I'll let you know how that turns out.
Sandbox Diary Part 2
Today's update:
I spent most of tonight filling out and verifying local business profiles. I already had the site listed in Google Local / Places so hopefully the additional listings will help the site rank on local and maybe un-sandbox my site because Google will realize the business is listed on a bunch of legitimate sites.
Sandbox Diary Part 1
I am trying to see whether the Google Sandbox is a myth and only exists because people don't know how to build links or whether it is a legitimate phenomenon. If it does exist? What does it take to get out? Here is where I am as of 5/15/2010.
Site: Brand new domain, live on 3/1, 15 to 20 competitive sites for the keywords I'm targetting, main keywords are in the domain name, .com tld
- Confirmed in Webmaster tools, domain registered until 2013
Link Building:
Blogs - Two blogroll links on relevant sites (150 links total)
Directories - Yahoo Directory
Articles - 10 articles on 5 different services using varied anchor text
Press Releases - 1
Social Media - Twitter account, Identi.ca account, Facebook fan page
Others - Aboutus.org (nofollow not the dofollow paid service)
For the top tier keywords, the site ranks around 150 to 200, for second tier keywords 20 to 40, and for third tier keywords first page and in some cases first overall.
This week I have tentatively planned for 10 new articles, one or two directory submissions and some social bookmarking. Let's see what happens.
Keywords People Have Used to Find My Blog
A look at search keywords from Google, Yahoo and MSN to see how people got to my site. (From 11/1 to 2/3)
Keyword, Visits
will gallahue, 7 - Officially popular
linkedin worthless, 4
flying cars pros and cons, 3 - I guess I'm an academic expert
linkedin is worthless, 3 - I don't hate LinkedIn that much
cons and pros of flying cars, 2
lexus douchebag, 2 - Probably looking for pictures
mstrkrft dj set list, 2
pros and cons of flying cars, 2 - I'm surprised people search for this
pros of flying cars, 2
will gallahue blog, 2
james cameron"" pa ""personal secretary"", 1 - Like I know
$350000 nissian, 1 - Aka the Lexus LFA which is a cheap ripoff of the Nissan 350z
10 resolutions for 2010 blogs, 1
2009 contacts+pakistan suger industry+ mahmood+sam @yahoo.pk @hotmail.com, 1 - I don't know
2010 gay resolutions, 1 - I'm not gay, no really, I'm not gay
202-324-2000 , 1 - Stalker?
alexander profile contact yahoo and hotmail contact 20009, 1 - Stalker?
arm cast, 1
ask bo jackson for his autograph, 1 - Well ask him
beefy gay blog, 1 - No joke
best thing to order at whataburger, 1
blackboard -nails -fingernails -travel -paint -chalk -glennbeck -eraser -menu -restaurant -restaurants -uaa -special, 1 - ???
bo jackson hamburgers grand opening, 1
bo jackson kids, 1 - He is my dad
cant touch mormon jesus, 1 - No you can't
cast arm, 1
celebrity names backwards, 1
deep south shuffle, 1
dj jposty, 1 - Try Myspace
eat in tax at whataburger, 1
epic fail karate kid ii, 1
facebook scammer escobar, 1 - Go get 'em
fatback circus, 1 - Its a band
flying car pros and cons, 1
futurism pros and cons, 1
getting back at blackboard abusers, 1
handicap sign honk for service, 1
how did the blue people in avatar speak english, 1 - From Hanoi, Vietnam btw
how family matters should have ended, 1
http://willgallahue.com/blog, 1
jessica alba who dated, 1
karate kid remake fail, 1
lexus, 1
list of guys in mstrkrft video, 1 - Me and Cobrasnake
making of karate kid, 1
mens warehouse, 1 - LOL
mens warehouse in montgomery, 1
mens warehouse jackson, 1
mens wearhouse blogs san diego, 1
menswarehouse get fitted, 1
mike jeffcoat game used, 1
mstrkrft austin, 1
my 10 resolutions, 1
naughty female cops, 1 - They don't exist
new karate kid ""about kung fu"", 1
new lexus that you have to be tapped for to get, 1
only douchebags, 1 - I'm flattered
perfect pandora avatar, 1 - My face
pros and cons of a flying car, 1
pros of flying vehicles, 1
quadruple whataburger, 1
slutty cop outfit, 1 - Never worn one
slutty cops, 1 - Stop
so sad that i want to throw up, 1 - Try googling 'counseling'
the special concert will be presented by whataburger december 5, 1 - I hosted it
tiple meat triple cheese, 1
triple meat, 1
triple meat hamburger, calories, 1
triple meat triple cheese, 1 - OM NOM NOM
what are pros and cons for flying cars?, 1
what was bo jackson childhood like, 1
whataburger combo #1 price, 1
whataburger triple meat, 1
whataburger triple meat triple cheese, 1
whataburger triple meat triple cheese price, 1 - $9
whataburger weezer logo, 1 - Conspiracy?
will galahue, 1
Industry Wish for 2010: Stop Using the Term Rockstar
I don't understand why people in tech industries need to use the term Rockstar to make it sound like they do something cool. For instance, in search marketing, we tend to use the term to make it sound like someone 1) actually knows what they are doing and 2) is so good at it that they are miles above everyone else.
That's not the case of course. All of these so called rockstars offer up the same tired advice "Write good content and you'll get links. Oh and have good page titles." In fact to be completely honest how can anyone in SEO refer to themselves as a rockstar in an industry that is all about timing and guess work. Furthermore, I've discovered that people who refer to themselves as "rockstars" in the industry are just self-serving wannabes who are more "one-hit wonders" than rockstars.
So I propose that all tech industries drop the term. Honestly, what sounds better?
"I'm Joe, I'm a rockstar at SEO"
or
"I'm Joe, I have a proven track record of optimizing sites and generating leads and revenue for clients"
The first line basically says "I'm never getting laid" while the second line says "I'm good at what I do ... oh and the shiny Benz, that's mine too. Let's get a drink"
I mean come on, the closest any tech rockstar has come to doing a speedball is downing a red bull and vodka.
I liken the fascination with the terminology to people who become good at Guitar Hero and think they can actually play. The truth of the matter is that you can't, but don't let that take away from the fact that you can ace the game at the highest level of difficulty.