Three Dot Day: Random Items

Free Links: Get Yours Now Because Supplies are Limited
Best of the Web is running a promotion worth looking into. The background on BOTW is that it's one of the oldest web directories, employs dozens of editors to screen their submissions, and actually ranks on the search engines. I've known these guys for awhile and have been impressed by their dedication to keeping their directory squeaky clean.

Their promotion is offering FREE category sponsorship for two months, with no obligation to continue on the third. But they feel once you've tried their high level category listings you'll be convinced it's a good value. Head on over to BOTW and get your FREE links before the good ones are gone.

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Somebody Pinch Me: Ask Jeeves Cleans Up It's SERPS!
AJ has come a long way. Unfortunately for them, they've built such a huge amount of indifference from the webmaster community, that their recent announcement of limiting paid search listings resounded with the sound of one hand clapping. Can you blame us? AJ had announced the same thing in April. But this time they weren't crying wolf, it's the real thing!

Check out the AJ serps, instead of ten AdWords ads, they're showing three. I applaud AJ for belatedly getting a clue. If this is a sign of Barry Diller's leadership, then I'm looking forward to what else AJ has coming.

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Tattle Tale Toolbars
In case you didn't know, Google uses their toolbar to collect information related to the searches you make and the websites you visit, then uses it for quality control. Nothing about this is hidden and Google goes to great lengths to be transparent about it. If you've ever waded through Yahoo's privacy statement pages, it's perfectly reasonable to assume they're doing the same.

Many successful webmasters who owe their living to the web do not use toolbars because it's clear the toolbars are gathering information that could be used against your site. According to people in the know, "The toolbars are collecting more information than you would feel comfortable with if you knew the extent."

One toolbar that stands out is AJ's toolbar for Firefox. They have the most compelling Privacy Statement of all the search engines. You can check it out here.

Is the Ask Jeeves toolbar "spyware"?
NO! The Ask Jeeves toolbar does not collect any personal information and is completely "spyware"-free and "adware"-free. Period. The Ask Jeeves toolbar was specifically designed to provide a great user experience free of spyware, adware, direct marketing, data collection or other similar activities.

Nevertheless, the toolbars are like the fox in the henhouse. Watch those eggs.

Can Your Content Pass a Hand Check?

So I've spoken with a number of webmasters lately who have decent sites that were banned from one search engine or another. They said they had content rich websites. I thought, HEY! That's not fair! Content rich websites aren't supposed to get banned!



So I pored over the websites and I have to admit they were right. Those were content rich websites, and I too would be upset to have those sites banned.

Adventures of a Content Stud in Search Engine Land
But what is good content? I don't purport to know exactly what a search engine considers quality content, but I have ideas.

If your content has a strong smell of being primarily a vehicle for lead generation, then I think it might have a harder time passing a hand check. The thing with articles, you can't lie to yourself. They can't be pages of stuff talking about the benefits of a second mortgage, with a link to ez-loans at the bottom of the page, you know what I mean? Many webmasters consider that legitimate content, but is it really?

I'm not saying it's worthless content, but I am saying... Wait one cotton picking minute! Is labeling that content useful the same as calling a negotiation with a car salesman a delightful afternoon of witty repartee?

Your Mouse Says No... but Your Clicks Tell Me Yes!
So how does your content compare to content you might find on a consumer review site featuring well researched reports on the latest mortgage rates and housing prices? Or a detailed review of digital camcorders with statistics and comparisons to other camcorders, complete with little graphs and a non-affiliate link to the manufacturers website?

In terms of getting unbanned, I think that the more stuff you have on it that shows it's aimed at being useful, the better. Not sure what your site is about, but stuff like a forum with an active community would help promote the idea that your site is actively trying to be useful to users, instead of actively trying to convert them... even if you are trying to convert them. I guess that's the rub, eh?

The Manny Ribera Syndrome
You remember that movie Scarface? There was a scene where Tony Montana's sidekick, Manny Ribera, wiggles his tongue at some bikini babes who promptly turn away in disgust. Manny's response was to sneer, "Lesbians..."

Well, if a banned site can't conform to being heartachingly useful, it might maybe, just maybe might be time to throw in the towel on ever getting it unbanned. Of course, you can either start over, do it in a different manner, or even try both approaches. The least progressive use of your time, however, is allowing the idea to form in your mind that the search engines must be lesbians because they don't like your site. Be honest, because when the hand checkers pull out their pencils, the devil is in those damned details.