JULY 2005

This month we look at articles which suggest that high street brands are not making the best use of the web and one indicating that there are flaws in the websites of the majority of top FTSE companies.

You can’t keep Google out of the news. It is undergoing a massive overhaul to keep out there in front, it has launched a new search engine for UK mobile phone users and is reportedly developing an electronic payment service to rival eBay’s PayPal business.

In the knowledge base section there are articles defining many common link exchange and search engine terms and on the uses of text and image links in website design.

If you have any general SEO questions, please let us know so that we can respond in future newsletters.

NEWS AT A GLANCE

High street brands missing from search engines
High street brands have stronger online recognition than their pure-play rivals but have been slow to optimise search to their advantage, according to a new report from Hitwise.

Corporate sites missing search engine hits due to design flaws
Design flaws in websites of 25 of the top 30 FTSE companies make them difficult for search engines to find, a new report claims.

Cosmetic Changes at Google Precede Larger Overhaul
Google is undergoing some of the most sweeping changes in its short, seven year history. It will soon have finished sorting what might be its largest algorithm shift ever as the final points of the 3.5 part Bourbon Update were being installed.

Google unveils mobile search engine
Google launches a new search engine specifically for UK mobile phone users.

Google may be about to take on Paypal
Google is reportedly developing an electronic-payment service that would rival eBay's PayPal business.

Search Engines Continue To Obscure Paid Placement
Major search engines, including Yahoo!, aren't doing enough to highlight instances when marketers have paid to be included in search results, according to a study by Consumer Reports' WebWatch.

KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLES

25 Common Link Exchange & Search Engine Terms
In today's world of website promotion and traffic building, a whole new set of terms and definitions have developed. To be a successful webmaster and/or website owner, it is important to know the meanings of some of the most popular link exchange and search engine terms.

How Image Links Can Help Build a Better User and Search Experience
Customized text links have been highly prized for their ability to improve rankings for specific search terms. However new research indicates image links can be just as effective and can enhance useability of a website.

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