chris dalrymple - blog

Great blog post from Cabel.name about adverts in Japan using search suggestions instead of URLs to guide people to websites.

The main reason is seems is the difficulties of using the internet with both Japanese and Latin alphabets - searching in Google means not having to switch keyboards. It also makes life easier when so many Japanese use the web via mobile.

In fact, more people search for 'hotmail' in Google than search for 'DVD'.

The only problem is, once you've decided to publish a 'search for...' how do you make sure you always stay top?..

Labels: google, japan, search, seo

Say it aint so Aaron - Threadwatch is to close this Friday, for good.

Apparently, the site's been slowly dying and the time and effort no longer seems worth it.

Somebody buy it off him, quick! A great little community there - it would be a shame to see it go.

Update: watch this space for what happens next...

Labels: seo, threadwatch

For the last couple of years, it's not been possible to use AdWords for sites which allow gambling online (unless you manage to avoid the attentions of Google's editorial team...).

However, it had been possible to advertise free play sites then soliciting email addresses to target later (i.e. littlewoodsbingoquiz.com).

According to a recent conversation with an AdWords rep, that's all about to change however:

I'd like to confirm that we are changing our policies regarding the advertising of gambling from 1st June 2007.

In the past we made exceptions for gambling when no real currency was involved. However these exceptions will no longer apply from June onwards.

Which pretty much means there's no way in to AdWords for gambling advertisers, unless you're prepared to play bait and switch every Friday night when the reps go home.

Gambling SEO just got a little tougher still.

Labels: gambling, google, seo