Here are nine of the best local listings management tools and all-in-one local SEO software solutions available today.
The post 9 Essential Local SEO & Listings Management Tools by @MaddyOsman appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Monday 31 December 2018
How to Completely Optimize Your Google My Business Listing by @searchmastergen
Learn how to optimize your Google My Business listing to boost your local SEO strategy.
The post How to Completely Optimize Your Google My Business Listing by @searchmastergen appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Our Top 10 Search Marketing Posts of 2018
Search marketing has continued to mature throughout 2018. At each twist and turn along the way, we've done our best to not only cover each change, but also offer insight and research-based strategy to help savvy digital marketers along the way. We’re fortunate to have a fantastic group of digital marketing professionals contributing to the TopRank Marketing Blog, with our CEO Lee Odden, Associate Director of Search & Analytics Tiffani Allen, Vice President of Client Accounts Alexis Hall, Content Strategist Anne Leuman, and others, each contributing search marketing insights, tips, and tricks this past year. To help our blog community grow its search marketing knowledge, we’re happy to offer this list of our most popular search marketing posts of 2018.
Our Most Popular Search Marketing Posts in 2018:
1. Google Game Changers: 5 Recent Updates and How They Affect Marketers — Anne Leuman
The talented Anne Leuman wrote the most popular search marketing post of 2018 on our blog, taking an important look at how to up your Google game by understanding and utilizing HTTPS warnings and numerous other factors that were being rolled out this year. Anne broke down some the latest and greatest game-changing updates from Google, what they mean for marketers, and how marketers can adapt. Check out all of Anne's posts here.
2. TopRank Marketing’s Top 6 SEO Predictions & Trends for 2019 — Tiffani Allen
The second most popular search marketing post of the year is by Tiffani Allen, who deftly explores the top SEO predictions and trends marketers should know now and keep an eye on into the new year. Check out all of Tiffani's posts here.
3. 5 Powerful Types (And Examples) of Link-Worthy Content — Anne Leuman
Anne also earned the No. 3 spot on our top search marketing posts of 2018 list, in an excellent post showing how to boost credible referrals, back-links, and organic visibility using five powerful types of link-worthy content.
4. Why Marketers Are Disenchanted with SEO — Anne Leuman
Anne also wrote our fourth most popular search marketing post of 2018, addressing why some marketers are disenchanted with SEO. She explores the modern marketer’s SEO struggles, and shows you why now is not the time to quit. Rather than abandoning a tried-and-true tactic, Anne looks at how to shift your search marketing strategy.
5. Redesigning Your Website? Make Sure SEO & Content Have a Seat at Website Migration Table — Alexis Hall
Alexis Hall earned spot the No. 5 on our top search marketing posts of the year list, with a helpful look at how SEO and content can combine to create a better website migration strategy. Alexis shows why SEO can’t stand alone, exploring how it needs a content lens to ensure solid performance after the migration switch is flipped. Check out all of Alexis' posts here.
6. Power Pages and Best Answer Content: Should You Go Long or Short Form? — Lee Odden
Our CEO penned the sixth most popular search marketing post of 2018, with a detailed look at a perennial question — which is better: long or short-form content? Lee explains how savvy marketers know that while statistical generalizations have their place, they aren't always so useful in practice. He then dives into the intertwining of engagement and reach, and looks at depth-over-length and authority signals. Check out all of Lee's posts here.
7. The Key to SEO & Content Marketing Success: Understanding Search Intent — Anne Leuman
Anne makes another appearance on our best-of-2018 list with another excellent post, showing the key to SEO and content marketing success. She dives into understanding search intent in its four incarnations — informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional — and goes on to offer three steps for building intent into your strategy.
8. How to Leverage Influencer Marketing for Improved SEO #Pubcon Florida — Lee Odden
Lee earned another spot on our top search marketing posts of 2018 list, with a take-away-filled live-blog piece from the Pubcon Florida conference. Lee shares an impressive number of insights from a session that featured Marcela De Vivo of SEMrush and Dixon Jones of Majestic, showing some of the best methods for leveraging influencer marketing to improve SEO.
9. SEO + Paid Search: An Aristotelian Lesson in Search Marketing Integration — Anne Leuman
Making an impressive fifth appearance on our search marketing top 10 list, Anne provides us an Aristotelian lesson in how SEO can combine with paid search for powerful search marketing integration. In this helpful post, Anne shows how integration makes the digital marketing world go round and how it can bring balance and harmony to your efforts.
10. Relationship Powered Link Building #Pubcon Florida — Lee Odden
In Lee's third appearance on our top 10 list, this piece covers a session presented by Ann Smarty of Internet Marketing Ninjas during the Pubcon Florida conference, sharing numerous actionable tips for link-building through relationships. We can't thank Anne, Tiffani, Alexis, and Lee enough for these top 10 search marketing posts of 2018 — congratulations on making the list!
Thanks TopRank Marketing Writers & Readers
Thanks to each of you who read our blog, and to all of you who comment on and share our posts on the TopRank Marketing social media channels. We hope you find continuing benefit from these excellent search marketing posts from 2018. We published dozens of posts this year specifically about search marketing, and plan to bring you even more in 2019, so stay tuned for a new year of the latest helpful research and insight. Please let us know which search marketing topics and ideas you'd like to see us focus on for 2019 — we'd love to hear your suggestions. Feel free to leave those thoughts in the comments section below.The post Our Top 10 Search Marketing Posts of 2018 appeared first on Online Marketing Blog - TopRank®.
Friday 28 December 2018
How to Choose a WordPress Plugin by @martinibuster
Important factors to consider before installing a WordPress plugin.
The post How to Choose a WordPress Plugin by @martinibuster appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Where & How to Get the Right Reviews for Your Business by @DholakiyaPratik
Here are the top review platforms you should use and some local SEO tips on how to best leverage them.
The post Where & How to Get the Right Reviews for Your Business by @DholakiyaPratik appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Why NAP & User Experience Are Crucial to Local SEO by @TaylorDanRW
Learn why Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) data consistency and user experience are both essential to local SEO success.
The post Why NAP & User Experience Are Crucial to Local SEO by @TaylorDanRW appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
5 SEO Factors to Monitor in 2019 by @martinibuster
Five SEO factors may improve your SEO strategy for 2019.
The post 5 SEO Factors to Monitor in 2019 by @martinibuster appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Thursday 27 December 2018
9 Types of Content That Will Help Your Local SEO by @annaleacrowe
Here are nine examples of content you can create that can help you rank for competitive local search terms.
The post 9 Types of Content That Will Help Your Local SEO by @annaleacrowe appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
What Is a Local Link & How to Find More Local Link Opportunities by @sllewuy
This article will help you figure out how to get your local link building campaign started.
The post What Is a Local Link & How to Find More Local Link Opportunities by @sllewuy appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Wednesday 26 December 2018
Top 25 Local Search Ranking Signals You Need to Know by @_kevinrowe
Optimizing for these factors can help increase your local search visibility and help more customers find you.
The post Top 25 Local Search Ranking Signals You Need to Know by @_kevinrowe appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
What Is Local SEO & Why Local Search Is Important by @BrianHarnish
Want a local audience to find your business online? Here's how to make local SEO work for you.
The post What Is Local SEO & Why Local Search Is Important by @BrianHarnish appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
5 Voice Engine Optimization Strategies to Get Ahead by @lorenbaker
Learn what you need to know in order to create a successful voice search strategy.
The post 5 Voice Engine Optimization Strategies to Get Ahead by @lorenbaker appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
TopRank Marketing’s Top 6 B2B Influencer Marketing Predictions & Trends to Watch in 2019
How many of you can count the number of times you’ve purchased a product or made a decision based on a recommendation from a friend, acquaintance, review on the web or a celebrity endorsement? I’d venture to guess that most of you would say: "Too many to count." That’s because we all rely on advice from others to help us make sense of a complex world where we don’t always have all of the information we need to make a decision. Influencer marketing has been around for ages (literally), but it’s only begun to build steam within the B2B world over the past few years. The good news is that for many, B2B influencer marketing is still in its infancy—which means there are plenty of opportunities to begin implementing influencer marketing today. Interestingly, a report from Twitter found that recommendations from influencers are quickly gaining momentum and are nearly equal to receiving recommendations from actual friends. To help you navigate the future of B2B influencer marketing and guide your approach, we’ve put together six trends and predictions to watch for in 2019.
#1 - Increasing Data Privacy Concerns Will Impact the Role of Influencers
This year new GDPR regulations took effect across the EU, which left many global brands scrambling to make sure that they were appropriately handling personal identifying information. What many brands didn’t consider, was how it will impact influencer marketing programs. Some big brands have already begun evolving how they handle influencer information and what is needed in terms of documentation to properly meet new requirements. And that will only continue to increase. As Ursula Ringham, Head of Global Influencer Marketing for SAP*, told us earlier this year: “GDPR is going to be the stake in the ground for all data privacy—bar none. As GDPR kicks off, we’ll start to see lawsuits and controversies in the news and people will become increasingly aware and engaged. In the U.S., we’re already becoming more aware of data privacy issues, especially after Cambridge Analytica." She added: “But bottom line, GDPR will be really important. And as a result, our influencers will become even more important and valuable. They’re going to be our trusted brand ambassadors; our trusted voices. They’ll be a huge asset because people don’t trust brands outright—they trust people.” [bctt tweet="Bottom line, #GDPR will be really important. And as a result, our #influencers will become even more important and valuable. @usularingham #InfluencerMarketing #B2B" username="toprank"]#2 - Capturing Influencer Attention Will Become Increasingly Difficult
As the demand for working with influencers increases, it will become more and more difficult to capture and hold their attention. As a result, before reaching out to influencers to collaborate, it will be even more important to first determine and communicate what's in it for them. Showing influencers value and displaying that you understand what they’re interested in will help you begin building a relationship of mutual value. As Rani Mani, Head of Influencer Social Enablement at Adobe, told us in a recent interview: "We at Adobe pride ourselves on cultivating and nurturing long term relationships with our influencers. We look at it as dating with an eye towards long term commitment which means we are always looking to establish a 'give to get' exchange where all parties come out ahead." The key that Rani touches on? Building lasting relationships, which will require more effort than simply reaching out when you need something. As Lee Odden, TopRank Marketing's CEO, recently wrote: "Brands that use a shotgun approach to invite influencers only when they need them won’t see very high recruitment rates. The same goes for non-personalized, ego-centric messages from brands that are only concerned with what the brand wants to get out of the collaboration." And while we advise placing a lot of emphasis on building these relationships organically, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pay your influencers where appropriate. Think about what you’re asking of your influencers and make sure that you understand their expectations as well. Onalytica’s recent survey of brand and influencer relationships found that influencers have varying objectives, but many are most interested in building thought leadership and gaining exposure on specific topics followed by expanding their networks to reach new audiences.
[bctt tweet="Brands that use a shotgun approach to invite influencers only when they need them won’t see very high recruitment rates. @leeodden #InfluencerMarketing #B2B" username="toprank"]
#3 - Emphasis on Specific Influencer Qualities Will Evolve
When you consider what makes for a good B2C influencer, the most sought-after quality is that they have an extensive network. For many B2B marketers, the emphasis has followed that same path. However, influence is not solely based on the number of followers that an expert has, something that is becoming more clear in the wake of fake social media accounts and inflated follower counts. True, social reach should be a consideration for your B2B influencer marketing program, but not the only one. Sometimes the influencers with the largest reach may not be engaging their audience in a meaningful way that leads to more users connecting with your content. As a result, if you aren't already, you need to be looking at a variety of influencer qualities (each of which are important) when identifying influencers to work with in 2019 and beyond. As you can see in the chart below, different types of experts can positively impact your program in several different ways. As your influencer program continues to mature, begin determining what the right mix of influencers to include for maximum impact.
[bctt tweet="If you aren't already, you need to be looking at a variety of influencer qualities (each of which are important) when identifying influencers to work with in 2019 and beyond. - @azeckman #InfluencerMarketing #B2B" username="toprank"]
#4 - The Call for Tighter Topical Alignment
When many brands first start dipping their toes in the influencer marketing waters, it can be difficult to suss out exactly who to co-create content with. Unfortunately, one of the mistakes many brands make is working with influencers that don’t quite align with the topics they want to share with their target audience. As a result, in 2019 and beyond, you need to commit to meaningful influencer identification and collaboration if you want to co-create content that informs, engages, and resonates with your audiences. For example, if you want to collaborate with an influencer on the topic of “Account Based Marketing” it’s important to conduct critical research to determine what their take is on the topic, and if it’s a topic they publish content on frequently. Otherwise, you may not end up with the level of content that your audience is anticipating. Additionally, the influencer audience may not be a fit for the content topic which will not lead to the level of engagement you’re seeking. Part of TopRank Marketing’s process with our clients is to conduct research internally and externally to determine which topics should be included in influencer co-creation programs to best target the audience. Below is an example of how these topics could be priorities:
But marketer beware. The goal is not to control the opinion of influencers. Instead, focus on finding the RIGHT influencers that already align with the message you’d like to create content around.
#5 - Influencer Video Content Will Reign Supreme
Video has been a rising content marketing star over the past couple years. But in 2018, video is officially dominating social media news feeds, search results, and the minds of our target audience. It's everyhere, and the launch and refinement of native video and Stories features on top social platforms has heightened this demand. Both live and pre-recorded video that can be uploaded natively on social platforms presents an opportunity for brands and influencers alike. Everything from talking head videos to interviews and motion graphics are all content co-creation moments that can be captured and shared again and again. So, as the overall demand for video increases, so will the demand for increased quality. If you plan on co-creating video with influencers, you need to plan for the unexpected. If recording remotely, be sure to prep your influencers beforehand and run a test before you begin recording. If you’re recording onsite (at somewhere like their office or event) be sure to create a contingency plan in case your original setup is not conducive to capturing great video. [bctt tweet="Both live and pre-recorded video that can be uploaded natively on social platforms presents an opportunity for brands and influencers alike. @azeckman #Influencer Marketing #B2B" username="toprank"]#6 - The Battle Between ROI & Awareness Will Continue
Every B2B marketer wants to enhance brand awareness, recognition, and advocacy. But they also want to drive a high volume of qualified leads. But to get from one end of the spectrum to the other, you need to deploy tactics and strategies that are tailored to your audience where they actually are in their buyer's journey. The same goes for influencer marketing programs. Not all are created equal. For example, if your goal in working with influencers is to build awareness, you’ll need to deploy a specific strategy and mix of tactics that are vastly different than if your goal is demand or lead gen. In fact, the most recent Influence 2.0 Report from Traackr and Brian Solis found that the two top influencer priorities for marketers are to increase brand awareness followed closely by determining attribution and ROI. Influencer marketing can absolutely have an impact on both lead gen and awareness programs. However, in 2019 and beyond, it will be essential that you build an approach that aligns with your objectives. And as influencer marketing programs continue to mature, it will be essential that brands nail down exactly what they need to measure and how they’ll measure.Ready. Set. Connect
2019 stands to be a big year for B2B influencer marketing. Consumers and influencers alike will expect more from the brands they work with, which means that one of the most important steps you can take as a brand is to build your influencer marketing program on a solid foundation. Instead of just throwing money at a program and expecting results, it’ll take time, effort and people to build meaningful relationships that will have a lasting impact. Want to know what’s on tap for social media marketing in 2019? Check out our top social media trends and predictions to watch in 2019.The post TopRank Marketing’s Top 6 B2B Influencer Marketing Predictions & Trends to Watch in 2019 appeared first on Online Marketing Blog - TopRank®.
Tuesday 25 December 2018
Monday 24 December 2018
Track Santa With NORAD and Google’s Santa Tracker Apps for Christmas Eve 2018 by @MattGSouthern
The time has come again to follow Santa Claus on his journey as he delivers presents around the world.
The post Track Santa With NORAD and Google’s Santa Tracker Apps for Christmas Eve 2018 by @MattGSouthern appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Sunday 23 December 2018
Facebook Extends Deadline for Subscription Messaging Permissions by @virginianussey
Learn how to apply for Facebook Messenger subscription messaging permissions.
The post Facebook Extends Deadline for Subscription Messaging Permissions by @virginianussey appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Friday 21 December 2018
Do Exact Match Domains Still Work Anymore? by @wburton27
Exact match domains (EMDs) were once incredibly valuable for SEO and end users. But do they still work today?
The post Do Exact Match Domains Still Work Anymore? by @wburton27 appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
4 Ideas to Combine Email Marketing & SEO for Stellar Results by @infobrandz
Here are four ways to combine email marketing and SEO to help you reach your digital marketing goals
The post 4 Ideas to Combine Email Marketing & SEO for Stellar Results by @infobrandz appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Data-Driven PPC Insights to Engage Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
These research points and actionable insights can help pharmaceutical brands focusing on rheumatoid arthritis improve their PPC strategy.
The post Data-Driven PPC Insights to Engage Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Digital Marketing News: Google’s WordPress Plugin, Snapchat Marketing, Facebook & Google Ad Bidding, & Mobile RTB Spend Rises
Why New Pages Fluctuate in Google SERPs by @martinibuster
A possible explanation for why new pages fluctuate even though Google updates on a continual basis.
The post Why New Pages Fluctuate in Google SERPs by @martinibuster appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
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