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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Networking Saturday; Link Your Shop or Blog 6

So I said that we would talk about Google's New Hummingbird Algorithm today.  With that of course I needed to do a little Google search of what the Hummingbird Algorithm is and found that it is not too new.  It came out in August or September 2013 from what I gleaned from the many articles offering information.
Look at it!  acting so innocent. 
What I have learned from this adventure was that I need to start paying better attention to what is going on in the web world.  So with that a little disclaimer: I apologize if many of you have already researched this and know all about the new algorithm.

Since there are many more knowledgeable sources of information on the Hummingbird Algorithm I am only going to spend a little time explaining it from the Colleen version (basically even more simplistic than___ For Dummies.)  Google's new algorithm is smarter than previous and has limited the amount of time users need to hunt and peck for answers to their questions.  I have noticed that my searches seem to provide what I need faster; while I did think that it was because I was asking questions better it turns out it is because of our Hummingbird friend.

Google's obligation is to the user of their product (the searchers) not us the bloggers, websites and eCommerce sites.

The new algorithm looks at a combination of words instead of just keywords that it gleans from our questions.  Previously when I asked a question it looked like this:  What is Google's New Hummingbird Algorithm  which may give me options ranging from information on hummingbirds and their habitat, how algorithms work, information about Google as a company, etc. But now it may look at it more like this: What is Google's New Hummingbird Algorithm giving me a selection of items pertaining to the new search format.  Which of course makes me a much more happy searcher.  But often it will gives me the answer to my question immediately at the top so that I don't have to bother clicking on any one site's information.  (bad for us that rely on the content of our blogs to draw people to them.)

How that affects me as a small business owner?  Most of us do use a blog or an actual website to draw people to us.  So the key thing that I got out of my research is that I need to make sure that my content is useful.  Obviously in the example above my answer was right at the top of the page if the only thing I wanted to know was what a hummingbird is, but Melissa has more to offer me than just that it is an American bird that hovers.  Is it likely that I or another person searching for information on a hummingbird will be satisfied with Google's bit?  No, so it all comes back to the basics of what we should have been doing in the first place; providing quality and useful information in our content.

One of the articles stressed the importance of connecting blogs and sites to G+ but when I have done that in the past I have received severe negative feedback for doing so.  I would love some feedback from viewers in the comments section, if you don't mind, especially if you read about it or found this to be true.

The big change for me and probably others will be how we list our search tags.  Using one word search descriptions (tags) will not help us reach the top of the search list.  Using key word phrase such as "Networking for small business" vs "networking" will be better.  It is very hard for me to get used to but I am trying it today.  SEO are still important and most of what we did in the past will apply but I do think that it may even the playing ground for those of us that actually work at our content vs. those that literally "buy" their followers.

In relation; I have received several questions this month about how my shops are doing from concerned sellers that have seen their sales drop, especially this month.  My sales have drop significantly over the last 12 months and I have had to work harder than ever to get the few sales I did have.

What I am wondering is if these changes made at Google has had an effect on our sales.  Is Etsy and Artfire changing the way they "advertise" us on Google (which they do say that they are doing automatically.)  I am not sure but it is food for thought and worth some research.  If anyone has any insite please contact me I would love to have either a guest blog, pick your brain for a post or even if you leave the information in the comment section that would be great!

Here is a list of helpful sites on the Hummingbird Algorithm:
What Google 'Hummingbird' Means for Your SEO Strategy
Why Google’s New Hummingbird Algorithm is Good News for Serious Content Creators
Google Hummingbird & The Keyword: What You Need To Know To Stay Ahead
FAQ: All About The New Google “Hummingbird” Algorithm
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If you have any great networking opportunities you would like me to feature please contact me directly at ButterflyInTheAttic at yahoo dot com or post the information in the comments section.  I will add it to next week's post. 

So now a little homework; think about how the changes in  Google's Algorithm are going to affect you. And how do you feel about connecting your site to Google + My homework:  more research on how we can really work Hummingbird to our advantage as a group and individuals.  Also to make sure nothing else sneaks past me.

Now lets have some Networking Fun!!!
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Post any of your family friendly sites (blogs, shops, FB, etc.)  What ever sites you would like to share. 

Please help promote this post using your social networks.  Here is an easy one:

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13 comments:

  1. Feel free to link up all your sites, blogs, shops, fb, twitter, etc

    Just one from each though

    Blessings

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  2. Hi Colleen!
    Happy Saturday to you once again and thank you again for providing this networking opportunity for us! The information you have researched for us today is very interesting and much of what you have written about follows along with some of what is being written on the Etsy forums and in some of the teams concerning SEO. Apparently, having multiple word phrases in your tags and having these phrases in your titles helps with visibility. I have to say that I think that a lot of people's sales on Etsy have dropped, but I think this is for a variety of reasons. For the folks who live in horrible cold climates like this one, the cost of keeping our houses warm this year has pretty much cut my buying budget to almost nothing! And I am a huge believer in the karma of Etsy in that it seems that when I buy something, I sell something within a short period of time! I do think with the warmer temperatures and spring coming, I am seeing more views on the items in all of my shops and I'm hoping it will be the same for everyone who sells on Etsy!

    Wishing all a successful weekend,

    Betty

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  3. Oh! And thank you for the chance to post a link from each of our on line shops, blogs, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. I noticed too late that I didn't put the word "Blog" in my description of it, so I have two things that are labelled "The Gossamer Tearoom", but the first is my blog and the next is my Etsy shop of the same name!

    Betty

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  4. Thank you Betty for stopping in and posting. I added the word "blog" to your first link. I hope you have a warm and blessed day.
    Colleen

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  5. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to all learn and share our marketing strengths. If we all work together to promote each other, we should start seeing more views and sales!

    I thought I added all my links yesterday, but it seems not. I'm pretty sure I'm in the Twilight Zone... LOL!!

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  6. Oh, forgot to say that as soon as I do my linkz, I'll be stopping by all those who have posted and share some love.

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  7. Thanks for posting I agree I think if we network well we'll see the fruits of our labor.

    Have blessed day
    Colleen

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  8. Thank you for the offer for site sharing and building, wonderful way to help each other with Marketing! From Claudia's Crochet Creations

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  9. Thank you for the networking opportunity! Shared just a few of my SewAmazin links today. My blog is definitely in need of an update soon.

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  10. Thank you, Colleen, for the Hummingbird research, Very interesting information. And I appreciate the opportunity to share several social media links. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

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  11. Thank you for the opportunity of linking with other artisans, I liked, followed all the above artisans.

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  12. Sent some love to the new posters.

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  13. Promoted and follow those that were new to me
    I will check back late for anyone new

    Thank you so much for joining in

    Blessings
    Colleen

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I love comments from my readers but had to turn on the Captcha due to rogue spam comments happening far too often. Sorry to my fans but alas it has to be done