Rich Snippets: Adding Microformats to improve your SERP

Just in March Google announced that it would be altering the SERP result page to increase the amount of information that the description would give for long tail searches. It started pulling additional context from the page, in addition to the information it may pull from DMOZ. Google has upped the Ante… Today at Searchology among other new programs the most important change for SEOers and Website owners in my opinion is “Rich Snippets“. Here’s an example of a “Rich Snippet” from Google’s Search Result Page.

So essentially by using RDF markup and Microtagging you can utlize special markup on page and that information will actually be utilized in the Google Serps. These types of Microtags have been used in the past but this is the first time Google has announced that they’re using this information. It will be interesting to see how this change roll out will affect Google’s fortunes. While Matt Cutts says that this change will roll out slowly for specific searches at first, but there’s a form where you can indicate you’d like to participate.

Adopt Early

If you’re a small business website and your trying to get your information displayed more prominently then add the microformats to your address or if you offer online products, be sure to add the proper tags!

Google Profile is a Valid Anchor

Several months ago Google started offering an additional option for Igoogle account holders. Each igoogle account holder can create a profile, with their contact information and important details. Also, you can add in a website address with your own anchor text! I did this recently for one of my clients who is a mortgage planner in corona, and at the same time I created a Google Webmaster Account, and verified his site.

One of the major benefits of verifying your site via webmaster tools is that it will report recognized links as well as “anchor text” to indicate the relevance of that link. As you can see here in these screen shots, Google’ webmaster tools is recognizing the link from the Google profile, as well as recognized the anchor text utilized. The lessons here are obvious, take advantage of the Google Profiles and Webmaster tools.

Ronk Checker on the Fritz

The Ronk checker, which is usually a very reliable and useful tool is currently not able to pull any results from Google. I have tried from several computers and had other freinds of mine also make the attempt.

After some searching, it seems that Googles recent updates, including their addition of Google Suggest to the regular SERPs, may have disrupted their ability to get results. I was able to find on the Ronk checker page that Aaron says that “We should have a new version out today or tomorrow at the latest.”.

Alf Returns- Content Writing Advice

Alf – Content Writing Advice

Originally uploaded by contentwritingadvice

The gentleman’s rank race for the term Content Writing Advice has swung back into the hands of http://www.footinmouthdisease.net. I’d like to thank everyone who helped me get here, my mother, my brother, my fiance, and of course my competitors who have pushed me to stay sharp.

The race is still on of course so may the best man get the Alf!

Vintage handmade Envelope

Vintage handmade Envelope

Originally uploaded by contentwritingadvice

I know this is a bit off topic, but my fiance made these handmade hand crafted envelopes from old books. I was so impressed I just had to post about it!
Here’s here etsy store for more
handcrafted envelopes