Google Highlights Authors within Search Results

As an enhancement to Google’s SERP, authors will soon be highlighted within the search results (the feature is currently being rolled out gradually and will be implemented algorithmically). Google Software Engineer, Othar Hansson, posted, “We now support markup that enables websites to publicly link within their site from content to author pages…. We know that great content comes from great authors, and we’re looking closely at ways this markup could help us highlight authors and rank search results.” So, if you currently have authored content on a website – be sure to learn about Google’s authorship markup in their help center.

Google explains an author page is to describe and identify the author, and can include things like the author’s bio, photo, articles and other links. The author will need to use his or her Google Profile to tie everything together.

Below is an example author search result from Mashable’s Ben Parr:


I feel this is a smart move to promote good quality content on the web. Google is really making a push to combat content farms and content that others do not feel is genuinely “great content”. This is just one more way to validate the value of a piece of content.

Do you agree this is another step in the right direction for Google?

Transformers 3 Tickets Via Facebook

Transformers 3 is set to debut, want tickets? You can now purchase them through Facebook! Paramount and 8thBridge have come together for this project and when you “Like” the page the app becomes activated which enables you to search for theaters in your area. Have you ever made a purchase through Facebook? If so, how was your experience?

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents Live Facebook Page Analysis: Optimizing Your Facebook Page for Engagement

Join Margie Schneider, VP Operations and Stuart Smith, Strategic Director, of Interactive Marketing Consultancy Firm TenGoldenRules.com, as they present, “Live Facebook Page Analysis: Optimizing Your Facebook Page for Engagement.” This Wednesday Webinar provides the opportunity to submit your Facebook Page for a live analysis.

This presentation will explain the following topics:

• How to develop an effective Facebook content strategy to promote engagement
• Best practices for developing custom iFrames for Facebook
• Tips to efficiently utilize Facebook navigation links
• Understanding the various ways to implement a Facebook Page image

Want us to review how your Facebook Page measures up? Submit your Page for a Live Analysis! To submit your Facebook Page, please join the Facebook Page Analysis Webinar Group, and post your Facebook Page submission within the group. Visit the group here: http://bit.ly/FacebookPageAnalysis

Margie Schneider has been involved with the interactive medium since 1994. She has participated in everything the Internet has to offer: developing, designing and delivering web sites; online advertising and promotion; search engine marketing: SEO and PPC and community and electronic communication. Her specialties include: social media, search engine optimization SEO, PPC management, online reputation management, project management, personnel management, strategizing web development and design solutions; as well as experience marketing across all media types.

Stuart Smith has been involved with online marketing since 1998. He has participated in everything online marketing has to offer including: SEO, PPC, email marketing, social media, web design, and landing page design. His specialties include Facebook, social media, PPC management, search engine optimization (SEO), and new emerging technologies.

This free webinar will take place Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:30pmEDT – 1:30pmEDT. To register and for more information please visit: Live Facebook Page Analysis: Optimizing Your Facebook Page for Engagement

Image credit: smemon

Bitly Pro Now Available for Free

Bitly, the URL shortening, sharing, and tracking service, announced last week the bitly pro service is now out of beta and free for use with all bitly accounts. This means every user officially has the ability to set up a custom short domain from within a bitly account with no waiting period. You will also receive access to tracking statistics, including the performance of content on the social web.

To set up your custom short domain (i.e. Dalai Lama’s is Dalaila.ma) you simply need to redirect your domain’s DNS to bitly’s servers and sign up for the pro service within your account settings.

Although you still need to buy the short URL from a domain site, this is still a worthwhile feature to test out. I’ve always found bitly to be an effective and simple service to use and I look forward to testing out the new pro features.

Have you started using bitly pro yet?

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents Right Way to Spread Your Brand Tentacles

You are an expert in your profession/business. Your business is good. Clients have booked you months in advance. Is there anything you should be doing more of?

First the Internet itself and second the behavior of searching the Internet have changed our lives. Customers are evaluating products and services based on reviews and recommendations of complete strangers. The Network Solutions Small Business Success Index and many other surveys say that over 50% of small businesses do not have a website. Are we nearing a stage where if you are not on the web you don’t exist?

This presentation will discuss:

• Recommended tools for your web presence
• Tips for extending your listening tools
• Measuring your online reputation
• How to make it easy for others to talk about you
• Content activities that can bring you more business
• How to measure your efforts

About Shashi Bellamkonda
Shashi Bellamkonda is Director PR and Social Media for Small Business web tools company Network Solutions. He is also an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University teaching New Media Platforms and Techniques. Shashi has a background in Customer Service, Ecommerce, Product Marketing and Product Management. In his current role, Shashi headed the team at Network Solutions that won several awards for excellence in corporate reputation management using new media tools. Shashi Bellamkonda has been named by Washingtonian Magazine consecutively for two years as one of the Washington area’s Top Tech Titans. He is a sought after speaker at several conferences on topics ranging from online marketing to branding and reputation management online.

This free webinar will take place Wednesday, June 22, 2011 12:30pmEDT – 1:30pmEDT. To register and for more information please visit: Right Way to Spread Your Brand Tentacles

Are You Using the New “Me on the Web”?

Where do people first look to find out information about someone? Google.

Yesterday, Google released a new tool, “Me on the Web”, to help you better comprehend, manage, and monitor what people see when searching on Google for you. Incorporated as a section on your Google Dashboard, you are given four options:

• Set up search alerts for your data
• How to manage your online identity
• How to remove unwanted content
• Learn more about Me on the Web

Essentially, you can set up this new feature to alert you whenever your personal information is published (i.e. email address). You are also given the option to view what already exists about you on the web. These types of options have been available but now “Me on the Web” makes it much faster and easier to use and access.



Google explains, “…your online identity is determined not only by what you post, but also by what others post about you.”

I would like to see the tool expanded further to really offer users something more aside from enhanced Google Alerts. What kind of impact do you think this tool will make?

What are your Favorite Deal Sites? Here are a few of mine...

I was asked by a local tv station for an interview about the most popular deal sites on Facebook and Twitter, here is a list of a few of my favorites, please share your favs on the comments below :)

Facebook.com/Groupon

Facebook.com/LivingSocial

Facebook.com/CouponDivasUSA

Facebook.com/DellDeals

Facebook.com/CouponsCom

Facebook.com/SlickDeals

Facebook Deals (in test markets Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, San Diego and San Francisco)

WPTV Deal of the Day

Twitter Deal Sites:

@Woot

@JetBlueCheeps

@DellOutlet

@AmazonDeals

@CheapTweet

@DealsPlus

@MomsWhoSave

@DealsSouthFL

@SoFlMommyDeals

@flatraveldeals

Please list your favorite deal sites in the comments below!