Yahoo! Pay-Per-Click Mixes 'Local Results'

Yahoo! Sponsored Search (formerly Overture) is now intermixing results from its 'Local Search' results. We saw this when adding new terms with specific geographic qualifiers (in this case the name of local municipalities).

The Local results were ranked higher than our #1 bid in the 'Sponsored Search" program, and subsequent attempts to raise our bid to outperform the competitor results were futile.

The listings for the 'Local' results include "Local Info after the URL. Subtle, but noticeable. by clicking on the results, a split screen shows the web site on the bottom, and a map with the business address and phone on the top.

The solution is clear, we are setting up the same terms in the 'Local' account in an attempt to cover our bases and outrank our competition.

Off page factors critical to search engine rankings

More than ever, so called 'off page' factors are influencing organic search engine rankings. Today, optimization is more than just tweaking pages, it includes exposing the site through various online channels, building reputable inbound links, and encouraging search engines to return regularly.

We are always surprised when we explain our methodologies to clients, they always say "search engines can know that?" As if the basic science of a search engine's ability to crawl and index the world wide web doesn't presuppose that it can read text that is colored the same as the background.

We are now employing a variety of off page technique to improve our site rankings. A blog is a great way to start. Relevant inbound links are important too (but there are a lot of myths about "link popularity" out there that may get you into trouble! RSS feed (site syndication), press releases, and forum participation have become part of our process.

Now some of these measures may not be necessary in all cases, but in very competitive markets it is well versed off page factors that tend to tip the rankings.

Overture goes Yahoo!

Last month Yahoo! moved quickly to dismiss the Overture brand, by labeling all of the search services under the "Yahoo! Search Marketing" brand.

Overture pay-per-click accounts are now "Yahoo! Search Marketing Sponsored Search."

Overture SiteMatch is now "Search submit express."

Yahoo! Directory submission is still available, and Yahoo! now offers a few additional products. To learn more about these, stay tuned to the free Internet marketing newsletter, lunavista.info.

lunavista communications corp - official blog

Lunavista Communications Corp, is a leading Chicago Internet Marketing firm specializing in search engine marketing and web site design for small to mid-size businesses.

Founded in 1998, Lunavista offers a unique blend of creative expertise. From design, to search engine optimization, to link popularity services, Lunavista is your "one-stop-shop" for all of your Internet marketing needs.

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For more information, you can visit Lunavista's web site at www.lunavista.com .