Monthly Archives: November 2012

Gmail and Google Search Field Testing

Google Search Field Testing Underway

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Google Testing Increased Search Functionality

Field testing has begun for new Google search features that incorporate results from Gmail, Google Drive and Google.com search.

Expanded Search Functionality Testing is Centered Around Both Gmail and Google.com Search Products

Gmail Search Field Testing

During the field test, Gmail users will see results that include actual emails as well as content from Google Calendar, Google Drive and enhanced flight tracking information when searching from within Gmail.

Google.com Search Field Testing

Users participating in the expanded search field test will see results from Gmail and Google Drive when searching with Google.com.

Take a look at the screen capture for the nitty gritty…

SEO Implications

Gmail Search

Think branded content. If you use Google Calendar invites/events or shared Google Drive documents to facilitate client interactions, those calendar invites/events and shared documents better have your company name, contact information and project name listed on it.

The goal here is to make your shared calendar invites/events and Drive documents accessible for search – so your content displays when a client needs relevant and related information about you, your company or the project you are working on together.

Google Search

The same line of thought applies here. Brand those emails baby! Make sure your signature has a link to your website, blog and social networks, subscription and contact forms (and your company name). Include keyphrases that are both relevant and related in the body of your email (consider using headings) and always make good use of short, descriptive subject text. Again, the goal is to get emails ‘indexable’ AKA optimized for search.

Possible Future SEO Implications

As if optimizing your website, blog, content, social networks wasn’t enough to keep you busy, now closer consideration will need to be given to outgoing email, calendar invites and events created.

It does fall in line with providing a universial search experience, but could ultimately ‘clutter’ the SERP (search engine result page).

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how the field test plays out. Keeping in mind, this is only a test. 🙂

YouTube Linked Annotation Result

YouTube Testing Linked Annotations with Pilot Group

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YouTube is currently testing a new feature with a pilot group of YouTubers that allow annotations in video clips to be linked to a page within an associated website.

YouTube presently allows linked annotations to a YouTube Channel, Video, Playlist and subscribe option. If the pilot is successful, users will be able to link to any page on the associated website set in YouTube settings. Linking to any other website aside from what was set as the associated website is prohibited.

Here’s How It Works (and to see if you are part of the pilot group)

Within your YouTube settings select the ‘associated website’ option. Enter your website URL in the box provided.

Getting Started with Linked YouTube Annotations

Getting Started with Linked YouTube Annotations

Now that the associated website has been set, choose a video in the video manager to add a linked annotation. Use the edit drop-down next to the video to select the annotations option.

YouTube Linked Annotations Edit

YouTube Linked Annotations Edit

Once the create/edit annotation screen loads, either create a new annotation or select an existing. Select the checkbox for ‘link’, then choose ‘associated website’ from the options. And finally, add the URL of the page located within the website previously set as the associated website.

If ‘associated website’ is not one of the available options, you are most likely not part of the pilot group.

Adding a Linked Annotation to a YouTube Video

Adding a Linked Annotation to a YouTube Video

Once you’ve entered the URL for the link, save and publish the changes. The new linked annotation should look something like the one displayed below.

YouTube Linked Annotation Result

YouTube Linked Annotation Result

No word yet on if or how much link juice/authority will pass from annotated links. However, this could be an opportunity to further integrate website offerings with YouTube content.

Plus, giving viewers the option to obtain extended or supplemental information about the video they are watching benefits not only the viewer, but the website as well – regardless of any link juice issues.

The majority of the pilot group of YouTubers that have linked annotations enabled were sent an email from YouTube notifying them of this. Still, it might be worth it to check for yourself.