The Maine SEO Blog

It’s funny how something like a flu strain can cause such a ruckus in search.

Google Search

Google Insights for search gives some really helpful data – including the recent trends in the “flu” category. Below the graph, you’ll find “rising searches”, which is great for brainstorming hot keywords for copy or blogging.

Twitter

Twitter search gives real time hot topics – whether it’s an epidemic or hashtag glorification.

Facebook

Facebook groups and fan clubs are the perfect spot to find out what’s hot now.

YouTube

You don’t have to go searching far for that latest videos and newscasts on the swine flu from YouTube.

iPhone

Even iPhone apps are getting a new addition via IntuApps.

Nicki Hicks
The bacon phenomenon has finally caught up with us

Mobile searches are becoming the norm, not the exception.  Optimizing for mobile as well as computer browsers is becoming a necessity, not a choice.  So what can you do to increase your mobile visibility?

1. Install Google Webmaster Tools. They’ll be able to tell you right off the bat whether or not your site can be accessed via smart phones.



2. Optimize for Local Search. Now that GPS is replacing the need to have physical map books, and most of us can no longer function without it (myself included), it’s crucial to be found.



3. Have easy-to-access contact information. Always include your contact information both on your site (in the footer is the cleanest place) and in your meta-description so that mobile searchers can click to either email or call you directly from the SERP!



4. Upload your videos to YouTube. Sometimes, smart phones have trouble indexing and loading large sites that don’t already have a specially equipped smart phone counterpart. By uploading a YouTube video, you guarantee that your site can be accessed via mobile devices; plus be found on YouTube!



5. Create an App. Apps are expensive to develop.  However, they get your name out there the second they’re created!

Nicki Hicks
I’m not craving pizza or anything

The most recent edition of the Google Search App has a number of cool new changes, including automatically launching other Google apps.  But the coolest addition, by far, is voice search.  Here’s the official video on it:

The voice recognition is surprisingly accurate and much simpler than typing your search queries…go check it out!

Nicki Hicks
Vocal Searcher