Tonight I'm in Portland for tomorrow's SEMpdx Searchfest conference, where I'll be giving a keynote address at 9am on The Algorithmic Evolution of Search Engines and the Impact on Search Marketing Campaigns. Like most keynotes, it's designed to be more of a broad overview, focusing on understanding the hows and whys of modern SEO strategy, rather than the technical specifics (which is what I usually discuss). Plus, it features slides with each of the following:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger from Commando
- Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel
- The Cast of Futurama
- Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity Video
- Jeff Lew's Killer Bean
So it's at least going to be entertaining.
I'm aiming for about 35-40 minutes with 116 slides - meaning my rapid-fire, one slide per word/sentence rule is in effect. To Guy Kawasaki I say, "Go suck on a lemon!" Of course, after almost 16 hours to build the deck, I can definitely see the appeal of his style.
I figured that for the blog readers out there, I'd leave you with these three graphs, explaining the core of the problem I'm addressing in the keynote.
I need some sleep, so although I wish I had time to walk through each of them, I guess you'll just need to drive to the Portland Zoo tomorrow if you'd like to learn more :-)
BTW - Mystery Guest returns home after 2.5 weeks in Italy, so expect that my free/blogging time the rest of the week will be seriously curtailed. Luckily, there's tons of great YOUmoz posts in the queue, so as Rebecca finds time, expect those to bubble up to the surface.
Googlebot says: "Oh no, I'm not going to let a market economy happen here".
Google has every right to take this position about paid links because it's their product. However they do so at their own risk.
In the end, the market economy will rule and another search engine will exploit this and other biases of Google.
Hello Rand, It would be great if after you give the keynote you can upload the presentation to slideshare (would that be possible?) so we can take a look at the possible solutions of the bot's market economy problem... as we say in my country "nos has dejado con la miel en los labios" (you have left us with the honey in the lips).. and I want to taste it! :D hehehe Thanks!
Now I know why they call it a love language; just reading it sounds sensual. Someone get Rand a fan :)
I don't agree that Google should protect "market economy" when it comes to paid links... I mean, they are protecting their own technology.
Sure, it pisses off SEOs, but they don't care. The holy algo will be protected at any cost. The thing that intrigues me, and also shows a little about the state-of-the-art of Google technology, is the way they are dependent on people "following the rules" online - link to what you like, link to what you find interesting or newsworthy.
The problem is webmasters are not exactly regular internet surfers, and webmasters control links... but Google doesn't know how to deal with that, yet. So strict policies come into place. But in a near future their technology must be stepped up a notch, in order to not factor in linking so much - that is a critical need they will eventually have, in order to keep their results relevant.
As for the problem in getting editorial links for "sports betting" - again that is not a Google problem. Why should it be interesting content about "sports betting" anyway. I'm sure there isn't much. So what criteria is used when ranking such sites? Beats me... but I'm sure not an editorial one. Same thing with Porn, etc...
More and more 'regular' people are blogging these days. The expansion of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook also offer a unique opportunity for allowing the populous to potentially 'vote' for websites based on links, brand mentions, etc. I know this isn't happening right now with all the redirects and nofollows being used, but there's hope for Google and other major search engines for finding a way to utilize these social sites in some way.
I use to buy links. It might have saved me some time, but I have to agree with Google on this point. Any paid links 'advertising' should be disclosed or weeded out algorithmically. The paid link battle should continue. This isn't to say that I'm opposed to negotiating for links on individual websites over the phone or via email. WAIT! AHHH! I'm using GMAIL and an iPhone. I'm done for.... Google knows everything.
Your Googlebot illustration rules. I'd like to see it present a whole Whiteboard Friday.
Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity????
What's wrong with Space Cowboy? I am not sure if you realize this Rand but...
Everything is good.
And brown.
I'm here again.
With a sunshine smile upon my face.
My friends.
Are close at hand.
And all my inhibitions.
Have disappeared without a trace.
I'm glad
Oh - I've found - mmm mm.
Somebody that - I can rely on.
This is the return - doo doo - of the space cowboy - doo - Interpanetary - doo - good vibe zone.
Have a blast at the SEMpdx, I really wish I was there, it looks great!
Why is she in Italy?
Because even Mysterious Guests need a holiday now and again.
Now those graphs look might interesting - they havent youtubed a video of the presentation by any chance have they? It would be well worth a watch...
I would love to see the full slideshow at least...
The SearchFest '08 was my first ever search conference (I wanted to go to SMX West but due to budget concerns it didn't quite happen.) and I wanted to say that the two presentations given by the SEOmoz crew were amazing! Rand and Rebecca provided two of the most entertaining and informative sessions.
I look forward to seeing more from you guys in person.
Thanks!
Thank you for the compliment! I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed both our presentations and the conference overall.
Sounds fun, wish I was there. Surely there will be more than one slide on the cast of Futurama! I could see a whole presentation around them. You know like Mom's Friendly SEO Company and your head would be in a jar sitting on yellow pumas, lol.
"You know like Mom's Friendly SEO Company and your head would be in a jar sitting on yellow pumas, lol."
Somehow I feel like this is where I am supposed to comment, but brilliant snappy responses are eluding me here. The best I can come up with is...
Over my dead body.
Signed, SEOmom
"...your head would be in a jar.."
It's called Gefilte Fishkin. It's an acquired taste.
Hah, the first time I saw that at a store, I came to work the next day and asked Rand "What's gel-fight fish?"
Hah! It looks pretty nasty if you ask me. My girlfriend actually likes it. I have a hard enough time just looking at it. :)
Rand, are you seriously taking the position that organic rankings should be for sale? That search engines shouldn't try to weed out paid anchor text links? Really?
Have you ever considered the impact of real marketing on this "economy?" Attention doesn't always require the payment of bribes.
The SERPs for "laptops" has significant commercial value. There are also a massive number of web sites publishing editorial content about laptops.
If marketers can't think of any better way to attract attention and links than by corrupting the editorial process, that's not Google's fault.
Dan - absolutely not! There was no personal take on the ethics or morals of the search engines' positions or those of SEOs, simply a commentary on what's happening in the industry, and the need to evolve beyond thinking of paid links as the way to achieve rankings.
I enjoyed the Keynote...very entertaining and insightful.
Thanks, Rand - you wouldn't be the first to lose their mind, just one of the most unlikely candidates. :D
Very entertaining & insightful keynote, Rand. Thanks for driving (or did you fly?) down the I-5 corridor w/ Rebecca to have some fun at SEMpdx's Searchfest. Hope you both had a good time!
Rand,
Great job at SEMpdx SearchFest '08 today. Both your keynote and the hot seat were well up to the Rand standards expected. They blew my socks blue shoes off.
Maybe you can do an encore next yer at SEMpdx SearchFest '09.
Enjoy some well deserved rest and some time with Mystery Guest.
You've earned it.
Will you post the slideshow to be seen from everyone after your presentation ? I really would like to see Schwarzernegger hunting those clics and links around !!
A killer problem. Sounds like a fascinating keynote. Hoping (like others) that we get to see the slides / video.
Welcome back to MG!
"Mystery Guest returns home after 2.5 weeks in Italy, so expect that my free/blogging time the rest of the week will be seriously curtailed."
So, what are you saying? ;)
now now Sean... behave...
There is a lot of arguing to catch up on?
Sure seems like it!
Yeah, Google is protecting its own business, not allowing others do the same they do. They know what they do, they deliver higher amounts of traffic... they make the rules.
Whats wrong with one sentence/slide? Doesn't Lawrence Lessig do that?
I would love to see this poll:
What is the most difficult industry to rank for (outside the 3P's)?
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the 3P's?