Google’s Latent Semantic Indexing getting better January 19, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Google, LSI, Matt Cutts, SEO, Uncategorized.add a comment
There’s a term in SEO called Latent Semantic Indexing, abbreviated “LSI,” that essentially means that the software engineers are trying to program the algorithms to understand the message a web page conveys based on different variations of language used, as opposed to on repetition of specific keywords.
Hmm, that wasn’t as clear as I hoped.
Here’s an example:
If I was giving a friend advice on choosing the best Denver SEO company, apart from my obvious recommendation that they use NewMedia Denver (!), I’d probably say something like this:
“When you’re interviewing an SEO provider, in Denver or anywhere, make sure they understand the rules. White Hat only; focus on backlinks, ideally from Authority sites; make sure they actually implement the SEO recommendations for you, and not just consult; consider rearchitecting your site in SILOs, etc. Make sure that the Denver SEO company you select has a proven track record of high rankings for their clients, and if possible get your results guaranteed.”
Do you see what I did there? I described the situation with a bunch of different terms that, collectively, conveys the message “Denver SEO company.” That’s normal language. That’s what the search engines, especially Google, are trying to do too. Well, in reverse. Google’s not talking to your site — your site is talking to Google, based on the content on it. So, given that we know that Google is trying to understand your site’s message, based on this language principle called LSI, you really should be structuring your content appropriately.
Historically many site owners, and even some bad SEO firms, tried to tell Google what their site was about by doing something like this:
“Denver plumber, denver plumber, denver plumber, denver plumber”
You get the idea.
Now, in really bad cases that can get you in trouble, but even in a best case, techniques like this, called keyword stuffing, won’t help you at all. You need to consider LSI.
Here’s a really interesting post from Matt Cutts on the topic: http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-synonyms/
And here’s the article he’s referencing, with some actual examples: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/helping-computers-understand-language.html
Really, when you think about it, it’s a lot easier using natural language than it is to try and jam in as many keywords as you possibly can.
Apparently Google thinks SEO is bull**** January 18, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Craziness, Google, SEO.add a comment
Now, before you all really believe that, I need to clarify. Google OBVIOUSLY doesn’t think that SEO is bull****, but if you have a Google toolbar installed, you can see what I’m talking about. If you do, type in “seo is” (minus the quotes) in the toolbar, and watch the autofill fill in some options for you.
Look at the options it gives you. Funny huh?
Tell me why I don’t like Mondays January 18, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in General, Uncategorized.add a comment
That’s the title of a song by Bob Geldof, a relatively unknown musician in this country. At least, until a little event called Live Aid way back when. He’s not necessarily relevant to what we do, or even what we’re listening to musically. But that’s a pretty great song, and the title says it all.
Why don’t people like Mondays?
I mean, it’s the morning, coffee’s brewing, things are getting done. It’s exciting! Four new leads so far today alone, and we’re busy busy busy! Client deadlines to meet, rankings to achieve, sites to launch… That’s the kind of stuff that keeps us getting out of bed in the mornings.
Hate Mondays? That’s just crazy talk. Mondays make it happen!
Happy Monday folks. 
We got on Larry King Live! January 15, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Craziness, Larry King Live, SEO, Uncategorized.add a comment
Due primarily to a great post on The Denver Egotist on a local creative named Keith Miks, we decided to “model” our own episode of Larry King Live using the awesome tools over there at xtranormal. We think it’s pretty funny. Yes, there may be some VERY subliminal advertising messaging going on, but I swear you can hardly even tell!
That Larry, always endorsing stuff on air.
“CNN. The place for news.”
Classic.
CBS Haystack video up January 14, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in CBS, Craziness, Drupal, Uncategorized.add a comment
When our good friends at CBS chose us to build them that brand-spanking new website for their Haystack TV show, who were we to turn them down?
When they asked us if we wanted to be interviewed and featured on the TV show itself, we said “why the heck not?”
When they offered to give us a copy of the video so we could shamelessly promote ourselves, we said NO WAY. I mean, who do those guys think we are anyway?
Then we reconsidered. I mean, there’s no need to be rude.
Plus, it’s pretty cool. 
Check it out – our piece starts around the 2:00 minute mark:
Haiti Relief January 13, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Haiti, Uncategorized.add a comment
To update the previous post, you can now text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts. There are other similar options available at Google’s new Haiti Disaster Relief webpage, here:
http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/
Disastor in Haiti January 13, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Haiti, Uncategorized.add a comment
I’m sure all of you have by now heard the news of yesterday’s terrible tragedy in Haiti, with the island being struck by a 7.0 earthquake, flattening Port au Prince and many of the surrounding towns. I won’t spend too much time talking about it here, as there are many more capable and eloquent people who can add some real value to the discourse. Suffice to say that all of our prayers are going out to the injured and those worse off than that, and to all the families who have lost loved ones or cannot locate missing people.
God speed to the rescuers.
90 Day Challenge January 8, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Craziness, Drupal, General, SEO, Uncategorized.add a comment
Here we go! This is the kind of stuff that drives you crazy.
We have this client. It’s a BIG client, so we want to impress the heck out of them, right? And we’ve been working on winning the business for kind of a long time, so now that we have it’s important that we do a good job. Not that it’s ever NOT important, but you get the idea.
So we set ourselves a challenge. The biggest, juiciest, challengiest challenge you’ve ever seen.
Get a brand-new website, in a very competitive industry and search space, designed, built, launched, and (get this) RANKED. All in 90 days.
OMG, LOL, etc. Yes, we know.
But we did more that just that. We’re not only committed to getting this challenge completed. We’re committing to it or we’re REFUNDING THE CLIENT’S MONEY. I know, what is it with us and these money-back guarantees? Nobody else does it. Why must we always feel so compelled to push the already-ridiculously-challenging envelope?
Ask the boss. It’s all his idea.
But we’ll be fine. We’re gonna win this challenge, and when we do this client, just like so many others, will love us! At least, that’s the hope.
So stay tuned, readers, for news as it happens. Currently we’re not at liberty to reveal the name of this particular client, but once the results start pouring in, I’m sure they’ll have no problem being part of the story.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life January 4, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Drupal, General, SEO, Uncategorized.add a comment
I know, we stole that. But in the internet world, it’s not theft per se. It’s called modeling. Now technically to qualify to be called modeling in this case, we’d need to incorporate the one idea – that quote – with another idea – say some pop culture reference, and the result would be something wonderful!
“Today is the first post of the rest of my blog”
OK, not exactly wonderful, but we’re on the right track.
Seriously, though. We all get so busy here, advising clients on how to best leverage blogs and social media for SEO, and teaching tactics like the Social Circle, and Tweeting for Tickles (right?). But like the classic case of the carpenter whose own children were shoeless, we haven’t been very good about following our own advice.
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
No longer!
The fact that we’re literally inundated with new business on a daily basis, and that we rank naturally for all the most valuable relevant keywords, has made us complacent. We don’t follow all the rules, simply because we’re too busy making sure our CLIENTS do. And, of course, that’s the most important thing. But we have made a pact, among ourselves, to make 2010 the year of internal best practices. We’re consolidating all our own personal blogs and even Twitter accounts, and we’re speaking with one voice.
And we’re keeping up with it. Not like last time (you know who you are mister!).
We’re looking forward to spending time, taking turns and posting helpful and fun stuff for the world to see. We’re still super busy, but we’re on the case.
So we’re finally getting things in order around here January 1, 2010
Posted by newmediadenver in Drupal, General, SEO, Uncategorized.Tags: 2010, Happy New Year
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After two years of mixed-message, varied content, multiple contributor blogging, we’ve turned the corner. A ha! Welcome to the New NewMedia (Denver) blog! We’ll port old content over in the coming weeks, as well as adding fresh new posts about all things Internet. For now, stay tuned, and welcome once again.
By the way, is it just US, or is it hard to believe it’s actually 2010? Isn’t that the title of a Sci Fi movie?
