Vanessa joked that I was going to be bored out of my mind during the seminar since a lot of what she discussed covered introductory SEO stuff, but I was pleasantly surprised. A lot of the stuff she went over validated what I already knew, but quite a bit of her topics touched upon things I had a good understanding of but wanted more details. A couple of noteworthy points were the following:
Sitelinks
Someone asked Vanessa how to get your site to display sitelinks in the SERPs. She said it depends on a few factors:
- You have to have a good linking structure/site architecture. Your home page should clearly link to other important pages on your site, and the anchor text of these links should be fairly concise.
- The display of sitelinks depends upon the search query, so it won't show up all the time.
- You have to be ranking first for that particular query (your company's name should be a good bet).
I've seen this question appear a lot in our Q&A--a lot of people ask if it's important to register a domain that has a relevant keyword in it (e.g., rockstarcomputerparts.com for "computer parts" vs. "rockstarindustry.com"). Vanessa said that it doesn't matter much from a search engine perspective--plenty of companies' domain names don't include their top keywords in the URL, and they still rank fine for those particular queries)--but the thing to keep in mind is that people often link to your site using your domain name, so for a lot of links the anchor text would be for "Rockstar Industry" instead of "Rockstar Computer Parts."
The thing that really impresses me about Vanessa is how much she knows. Ages ago I read someone comment in a thread (it could have been here on SEOmoz, but I don't exactly recall) that Vanessa doesn't know much about actual SEO because she was just a Webmaster Central rep and Google public figure. Her presentation yesterday shatters any and all of those assumptions. While Vanessa gave a basic introduction to various SEO elements (how rankings work, on-page content, and ending on links), a lot of people threw more advanced questions at her and she answered each one of them without batting an eye.
At conferences I'd sometimes think that Vanessa was "too cool" or "important" to chat with me at length about anything (after all, if you were given the option to hang out with Rand Fishkin and Danny Sullivan or me, who'd you pick?), but yesterday I saw that she really extends herself to various site owners and folks who have questions about anything and everything SEO-related. Her patience and expertise really showed yesterday, and I hope that some day I'll be at the knowledge level that she's at.
I know this seems like a big Vanessa love fest, but with people like her and others (see the rabid Jeremy Schoemaker fanbase), you see someone so successful and so knowledgeable, yet so approachable, that it really motivates you to work hard and try to get to a similar level some day. Anyway, there will be regular workshops at Ignition about every other week, so I'll be sure to post and share any other good tidbits I pick up along the way. And a big thanks to both Michelle at Ignition and to Vanessa for inviting me--I did learn some new stuff, and I met a lot of nice people as well. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Rebecca! Thank you so much for such kind words. It means a lot to hear that I'm able to be helpful to people. (Sometimes it's hard to know!) As far as hanging out at conferences, one of the best times I've had at a conference is hanging out with you at SES Miami.
I sometimes worry that when I get super-busy, I might come across uninviting (not only at shows, but in my tendency to get behind with email!), and I definitely don't want that to be the case.
Vanessa, you are one of THE most helpful panelists at the conferences I've been to. I don't know you personally, but I pretty much "stalk" you at your sessions. You always seem to distill things so well & your candor about as much as you could talk about (along with Matt Cutts) when you were at Google was so appreciated. Cheers.
Aw, thanks Vanessa. I had a lot of fun in Miami, too--you really helped me feel welcome at my first ever search conference (I was pretty nervous, like it was the first day of school).
Thanks for sharing. The sitelinks thing seems to be popping up more and more in the last couple of months. Interestingly enough, a local realtor down here just got sitelinks for his website, which shows up for all kinds of searches not just including the exact keywords in his domain. He's done a pretty darn good job with his incoming links & he has a nice, crusty domain. But there are still some SEO factors that could be improved & his architecture, at least to visitors' eyes, doesn't *perfectly* mirror the sitelinks he gets. I don't disagree that architecture plays some role (particularly since Vanessa confirmed it), but is probably not the most important factor...?
PS I'd pick you, Rebecca ;D
I did a post a while back that goes more into detail about sitelinks:
I talk a bit there about the types of queries they show up for. Generally, they are triggered for "navigational" type queries -- queries that Google infers the searcher is looking for something specific. In the example I gave in the post about the chowder house, it's clear the searcher is likely looking for that specific restaurant, so Google figures showing sitelinks into the site for things like the menu may help the searcher get to what they want more quickly. A search for "seattle restaurant" is unlikely to trigger sitelinks since it's more an xploratory than nvigational query.
And you're right. Site architecture is likely not the only factor in compiling sitelinks.
Aw shucks, David, you're just saying that because I like college basketball. :)
heh - I'd pick you to hang out with too! We could talk Simpsons trivia and throw back some beers :)
And the term Vanessa Love Fest brings a whole new meaning to VanessaFoxNude.com
:)
Damn, I always hate it when I am late to a article on SEOmoz. I was up in Seattle the past several days in interviews with various companies (which I won't name. . . yet).
Here are my comments regarding Vanessa Fox . . .
1. The most compelling personality online, period. And I don't care who is offended by that. She has a style of writing and a personality at conferences that leaves you wanting to read more or attend another seminar. Her knowledge is unmatched (even by Rand, I have some examples which I won't share because I highly respect Rand as well). Her deliverability of that knowledge is fantastic for a general audience as well as to advanced SEOs.
2. Her approachability is also unmatched. She will drop everything she is doing to help out those in need. While others will do the same (notably Rand Fishkin), it is still a very admirable quality and rare for such a high profile personality.
3. She has done what I can't bring myself to do yet. She has merged all aspects of her personality into one profile online. She discusses Buffy right next to SEO, right next to her love/hate of technology, or her thoughts about being a road warrior. I am too scared to do that. I segment online and keep my MySpace friends in one area of the internet, my SEO industry friends in another, family experiences in yet another, etc. etc. Vanessa Fox is comfortable with herself and lays it all out on the table to the public. Wow!!
4. She is edgy. She pushes the envelope of acceptability. Her domain name of VanessaFoxNude.com is one example of that edgy personality that becomes so addicting. It's also shown in her other comments throughout the blogosphere though. As well as in her web radio show/podcast.
I wouldn't claim to 'know Vanessa Fox' but what little I have interacted with her, I can confidently state that she is not only one of the most unique, inspiring, comical, knowledgable, and quirky personalities in SEO . . . but in the overall blogosphere.
This comment isn't a 'suck-up to Vanessa' (I don't need that) but a passionate reflection of my few interactions with her. Am I a stalker? Nah, I've never even met her face-to-face (she's too damn busy to tie down to a particular time and place) but I joke with her that I am a 'borderline Vanessa stalker'.
Vanessa, if you ever read this comment . . . thanks for all the help and inspiration. I owe you.
Brent D. Payne
It worries me that you want to tie her down.
Vanessa spoke at the SEMpdx Hot Seat this past Monday (reviewed here) and her terrific presentation on social media plus her excellent site review tips she gave on the site panel were extremely well received by all in attendance. She also stayed long after the event to chat with folks that had individual questions. Everyone at SEMpdx is very grateful that Vanessa came down to Portland to present at our event and we all echo Rebecca's comments here.
Awww, what a cool post Rebecca!
Vanessa, I wanted to meet you before but I sincerely can't wait to meet you now. In fact, I was pretty upset to find out you were in my neck of the woods and I had totally missed my opportunity (the Epiar party). If you ever come back up here, I'd LOVE to buy you dinner and pick your brain... if you can brave the cold that is ;)
I don't know Vanessa, nor have I even had a "comment exchange" with her, but I can see that this lady is really a class act - and she isn't "full of herself". Clearly very knowledgeable and quite funny as well.
Rebecca, to validate your point about Vanessa being patient, approachable and willing to help anyone, just take a read of this post of hers. Could a person have gone further out of their way to help someone gratis?
If this post is a Vanessa Fox love fest, well then - she deserves it as I suspect that by tomorrow, this thread will be full of comments singing her praises.
Thumbs up to you for the post and to Vanessa for her unselfish contributions.
I followed the link you posted Sean and my first reaction literally was, WOW. The lengths Vanessa went to and the research she conducted in order to help the site owner is truly admirable. Her advice was apparently bang on as well. She really IS a smart frigg'n cookie!
Edited because I apparently can't type today.
Vanessa should come to Europe some time soon. Maybe next year to Lisbon? We'd love to talk to her upclose.
As for sitelinks: they seem to appear in webmaster tools way to early and take forever to appear in actual searches. What's up with that?
Domain names: I agree 110% with what Vanessa said. But I would add the value of having your URL in bold in the SERPs, because that can help with CTR.
@carfeu I've noticed the same phenomena with sitelinks. They first popped up in my WMT about a month ago and I have yet to see them appear in the actual SERP's, whether I search my company name or not. Is this a trust factor? Maybe they're waiting to see if the site structure changes at all? I dunno.
Vanessa does seem very approachable... she isn't single is she?
:D
So now I'm trebbly embarassed I was too shy to go up and say hi at PubCon
*blush*
Rebecca, thanks for this post, two great topics. May be you could add the definition of sitelinks to DrDave 's post that has A Complete Glossary of Essential SEO Jargon. Vanessa, thanks for the additional link.
I met Vanessa at SMX Mobile and Local last year and she wasn't too cool or too important to hang out with me. She gave a really great talk about community building and UGC, too.
Plus she's got the coolest domain name ever, what a way to create buzz :D
www.vanessafoxnude.com
I think Rebecca left two things out -
1. Number of times Viagra came up in the presentation :-)
--- Was someone counting ???
2. About how vanessafoxnude.com domain helped her to get lot of traffic from young school kids
PS: It was a very informative event and I was lucky to get a chance to attend this event.
Yeah! and it does have 3 main keywords :)
Many people do not know that before Vanessafoxnude, Vanessa was active on the Google webmaster help group and I always appreciated her input and very knowledgeable answers.
She has a gift for putting things out well, and listening to someones problem and giving a good answer. I admire that skill alot. It is a skill I have tried to steal from her by reading and watching how she reacts to people when they ask her something.
And her level of knowledge is indeed massive, her latest post is like a walk down memory lane for me and will probably be to the others here who used to be active on the Webmaster help group. Very fascinating glimpse into the history of a Google product.
I attended Vanessa's session at BlogWorld Expo and found it very valuable. She is quick to inject humor and be helpful. Hope to run into Vanessa again soon.
What? MaybeI'd listen to a conference talk, lecture, podcast or read stuff by Rand and Danny more than Rebecca. But if it is the opportunity to hang out with one of you... of course I'll hang out with the hottest one. Rebecca!
I guess the better question would be if given the chance to hang out with Rebecca and Vanessa, who would I choose?
Hmmm tough one.