A few months back I discovered a shocking bug in how Google handles XML sitemaps, which enabled brand new sites to rank for competitive shopping terms by hijacking the equity from legitimate sites. I reported this issue to Google, and they have now fixed the issue, and paid me a bug bounty. However, since I published my write up of the issue, a number of SEO professionals have contacted me worrying that they may have been a victim of such …
Blog Posts
Do you want to blog anonymously using WordPress? There are many users who want to start a blog but don’t what to put their real name on it. In this beginner’s guide, we will show you how to easily blog anonymously using WordPress while keeping your personal information safe. Note: This guide is not for journalists or whistle-blowers doing high-risk work. They should use something like TOR or other tools. This is for an average blogger who wants to blog …
HTTPS has, for the most part, become the “poster boy” of cyber security, thanks in part to Google naming it as a ranking signal and then pushing for it further through changes in the Chrome browser. But as we know, cyber security doesn’t stop at HTTPS, and HTTPS does not mean that you have a secure website. In my first post for Search Engine Journal, I wrote about how Google could introduce passive scanning elements in one of its future, more advanced …
![Google’s Direct Answers Now Shown on 10% of SERPs [REPORT]](http://plolu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/googles-direct-answers-now-shown-on-10-of-serps-report-940x400.jpeg)
Google is reportedly returning more direct answers in search results, with 10% of mobile SERPs now containing a direct answer box. This data comes from RankRanger’s latest report on mobile SERP features in the US. New data: We’re seeing less Featured Snippets on mobile and more Direct Answers! https://t.co/AnJCzoyScV #SEO pic.twitter.com/xpO3BWvrLK — Rank Ranger (@RankRanger) April 16, 2018 This represents an increase of 1.4% more direct answers compared to last month. That’s one of the greatest month-over-month increases of all …
Do you want to create a referral program in WordPress? Referral programs are a great way to get more people to promote your products to a larger audience. In this article, we will show you how to easily create a referral program in WordPress and get more customers. Why Create a Referral Program in WordPress? Referral program or affiliate program allows you to get more people to help you sell your products and services. In return, you pay them a …
Keeping up with SEO can be a struggle. There are always updates to Google search, including significant algorithm changes. Plus new technologies, tools, and trends offer us new SEO opportunities – but also challenges. Listening to podcasts is one of my favorite ways to keep up to date with SEO. Podcasts allow you to listen to varied insights and opinions while you’re commuting, at work, doing some cardio at the gym (my personal favorite), or relaxing on the weekend. You get the information you need …
Google has updated its guidelines warning users that failure to remove expired job postings may result in a manual action penalty. Google has changed its requirements for job postings: “Failure to take timely action on expired jobs may result in a manual action” https://t.co/nUUlZkfm14 pic.twitter.com/P8phFR5Lgi — Aaron Bradley (@aaranged) April 12, 2018 These guidelines refer specifically to job positions that have been published to a website using job posting markup. The new guidelines should not affect web pages for job …
Do you want to create an interactive image for your WordPress blog? An interactive image allows you to highlight, link, and animate certain areas of your image. In this article, we will show you how to create interactive images in WordPress. What is an Interactive Image? An interactive image has hotspot areas, highlights, links, colors, and more. It’s different from a simple image that you upload in WordPress. Interactive images are eye-catching and attract users to see details of the …
Do a quick Google search for “blogging statistics” and you’ll find some really good posts. Unfortunately, a lot of them are writing about the same stats from the same studies and surveys. Today I’ve got a new set of statistics to add to the mix that looks at things like why people start blogs, the goals they’re trying to achieve, the amount of income they make, the challenges they face, etc. I’m going to update this post every year with …
Many brands and businesses know (or think they know) that they need SEO for their digital properties, and the benefits they will get from that SEO work being implemented on their behalf. SEO will certainly improve a website’s overall searchability and visibility, but what other real value does it offer? Why is SEO so important? These 12 reasons should offer some clarity, regardless of the industry or business size, as to why businesses need SEO to take their brand to …
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