MySpace, where are you going?
Posted on Feb 16 in Social by Sean P. DillonLast week, another MySpace CEO stepped down to be replaced by two co-Presidents.
In the wake of several recent changes in leadership, one would expect that at least one of them would have left behind a progressive change in what is happening in terms of retention and acquisition of new users. Sadly, it seems the juggernaut that once was keeps filling roles with job titles, but not leaders. Maybe this time it will be different.
Interestingly, MySpace was doing quite well prior to its acquisition by News Corp., in my opinion. The question is, with the data and knowledge they hold concerning MySpace users and their interests and habits, why can’t a company of their size and resources figure out what to do with that information?
Who stopped using MySpace? Everyone currently on Facebook. The MySpace we all know could never bring us back as the site stands currently.
The question is, what should they do?
Some action is required if the site is to be considered a player a few years from now. Why not take the music and entertainment path by storm and become the best at that, instead of just another site for music? What are they thinking? I feel like they’re squeezing the sands of opportunity right through their fingers and it seems like they don’t even know it.
I have friends who bought the Droid from Verizon because of the hype leading up to it. As cool as it is, the hype wears off. Something like this won’t work here–they need a brand new approach with a story and incredible stickiness. The raw materials exist. I wonder who will make something of them. MySpace should really consider leaving the social media museum and get on the playing field in a big way–before it’s too late.
What would you change first, if you were one of the new co-Presidents?
Google Real-Time Search
Posted on Dec 09 in Search, Social by Sean P. DillonAt Cyentist, we have long been proponents of a cohesive online marketing strategy. Fundamentally speaking, companies need good design, a social media plan and search marketing activity to create a firm foundation for success in marketing their brands online—locally, regionally and nationally.
We know that these elements work together to create online results for business. Cyentist has always recognized that the relationship between social and search are invariably connected and should be regarded as an opportunity to provide highly relevant information in real time to individuals who are seeking the information in question.
Until Monday, there were not many obvious examples available of search and social as a unit. Enter a big player: Google! On their official blog, Google announced the inclusion of real time results in addition to their standard search result page.
Typically the search engine result page or SERP includes Sponsored Links or paid advertisements and organic results, organized by relevance to the search query.
Today, amongst the organic results, you will find a scrolling, real-time feed labeled, “Latest results.”
It is interesting to note the prominent position Google chose for these results. It is clear they believe this is important, in fact, they have stated that Twitter’s real-time functionality is the future of search.
Welcome to the future. Real time search has a long way to go, but it is encouraging to see such a rapid progression in this direction from a major player such as Google.
For those of you with questions about how this affects your company’s search engine rank and social media visibility, please get in touch. We are following these trends very closely and have insights to offer based on the work we’ve done thus far.
Increasing Search Engine Rank
Posted on Dec 07 in Search by Sean P. DillonTraffic is the lifeblood of every web site. Without visitors, your web site will never be seen. In order to achieve the results that matter to your web site, you must attract highly targeted traffic. This means, you need to show up in the search results when people are searching for exactly what you do.
It is no secret that in order to achieve high traffic volume for your web site, optimization is key! The process in itself is complex, but the idea is simple:
Major search engines like their users (searchers) to visit frequently. They know that the only reason people come back is because they find what they are looking for. It sounds pretty basic right?
The idea is: give people what they want and they will, in turn, return the next time they need something. Because of the ad revenue search engines generate, it makes sense that their information is well organized and relevant to the search phrase typed into the box. Hence, all search results are organized by relevance to the search term.
Google, of course is the king of search engines. They have this figured out and it makes sense to follow their advice for making your web site relevant. Many studies have proved the need for search engine optimization. People read search results from the top down and left-to-right. The vast majority of people read what is on the first page of results. What shows up on top gets clicked on first. Check out this Google eye tracking study to learn more.
The goal is to show up on top. SEO is the answer. Give the search engines what they want and they will give you what you want (top ranking for your keywords).
The question is, do you know what the search engines want?
