Category Archives: Blogging
Subdomains vs. subdirectories for SEO: No SERP benefits for subdomains anymore
In a recent Webmaster Help video, Google’s Matt Cutts reported that adjustments to Google’s search algorithms have removed many of the advantages given to sites organizing content using subdomains rather than a subdirectory. A subdomain appears as such: “http://www.blog.brafton.com”. A subdirectory looks like this: “http://www.brafton.com/blog”. According to Cutts, subdomains may have traditionally held special SEO appeal, because brands using multiple subdomains could see more results on given SERPs. However, this is no longer the case Continue reading
LinkedIn tops in increasingly competitive B2B social media marketing landscape
In 2012, LinkedIn has aggressively overhauled its profiles and Company Pages to make the platform more engaging. Visual content received a lift with larger images and a a cover photo to help brands display their personalities more effectively. According to a report from the Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs, B2B companies have taken notice, and made LinkedIn a greater part of their social media marketing strategies. The study found that 83 percent of B2B brands maintain presences on LinkedIn, compared to 71 percent that did in 2011. The figure represents the highest adoption rate of any social network included in the study. Twitter occupied the top spot in each of the last two surveys Continue reading
ComScore: Instagram attracts more site engagement than Twitter on smartphones
Marketers using visual content on Instagram as part of their social media marketing strategy have an increasing pool of engaged prospects to reach. According to comScore, Instagram surpassed Twitter in terms of mobile web traffic in August. The data shows Instagram averaged 7.3 million mobile website visits every day, compared to Twitter’s 6.9 million. For both networks, which experience a majority of their mobile activity from apps, mobile site traffic has seen strong improvements this year Continue reading
SEO alert: Penguin 1.2 active, 0.3 percent of queries impacted
On Friday, Matt Cutts reported through Twitter that Penguin 1.2 is active on the web. According to Cutts, the algorithm shift will impact 0.3 percent of English queries. While the adjustment is minor, marketers and others using SEO have waited for the next edition of Penguin since the last update on May 25. Penguin focuses on webspam tactics used to improve search rankings for low-quality websites. Keyword stuffing, paid links and low-quality links were among the main practices targeted by Penguin. The initial rollout of the algorithm came in late April. Continue reading
Presidential debate sparks massive Twitter activity, related social content can drive traffic
Twitter announced on Wednesday night that the presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney was the most popular political event in the microblogging site’s history. For marketers, sharing interesting content related to any event driving major activity on the web can help boost brand awareness and attract prospects. Obviously, there’s an element of sensitivity associated with political content, but sharing site content that applies trending news to an industry can help increase timely traffic. Moreover, the popularity of Twitter during such important events for Americans demonstrates the overall value of a presence on the website. Whether it’s with organic social media marketing or Promoted Tweets, finding a way to engage and convert relevant users can drive leads and sales for companies. The trends companies can leverage for Twitter appeal extend beyond political events Continue reading
