Category Archives: Company News and SEO Tidbits

The latest and greatest company news and industry tidbits.

Google Panda 4.2 Stat Card

Google Panda – An Algorithmic Search Engine Filter

Panda is the name given to the Google search engine algorithm filter responsible for policing low quality content.

The latest incarnation of Panda was released on July 25th, 2015 in the form of a refresh of the previous May 2014 Panda update.

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Google Panda 4.2 Refresh Stat Card

Confirmed Release Date: July 25th, 2015

Version: 4.2

Refresh or Update: Refresh

Percent of Search Queries Effected: 2-3%

Propagation Estimate: 2-4 Months (time expected for the update to completely roll out)

Panda Targeting: Pierre Far of Google has reported that many high quality small and medium sites were ranking higher. Barry Schwartz posted about a possible reverse of the latest refresh.

Recovery Timeline: Websites effected by the Panda search filter can not recover until the next Panda update.

Previous Refresh: September 2014

Previous Update: May 2014

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Panda Refresh VS Update

A refresh technically applies the same exact signals from the previous update.

Panda Recovery Information

Once a new Panda update or refresh is in motion, recovery attempts from the previous Panda update or refresh will not be recognized.

It is best to wait until the current update has fully propagated before attempting Panda recovery efforts.

It’s the Summer of SEO!?

Jtree News

Humming along, as usual! We are currently managing over 20 active clients with continued steady growth. Want to work for us?
We are in the midst of reincorporating, to be more manageable and efficient.
We’ve recently refined our (secret weapon) Agile SEO Methodology to adhere to recent changes in search engine ranking factors. More on this to come in the near future.
The latest SEOinBOI event went off without a hitch (#SEOinBOI), so many thanks goes out to MDS for bringing the Mihmster! Lots of positive feedback, quite a few requests to bring back the more informal, coffee shop gatherings. Thanks for the feedback, BTW! It helps us continuously refine the event in the spirit of SEO!

Industry News

Penguins aside, Google is planning continued search engine ranking algorithm updates to occur throughout the summer. This just means SEO is in-flux, AKA business as usual.
Google Analytics has received a plethora of updates over the last few months.
The eloquent Periodic Table Of SEO Ranking Factors has recently been updated.

SEO Tips, Tricks and Tactics

We’ve been noticing that On-Page SEO updates, with some websites, can take up to 1-2 months before Google will evaluate the changes despite speedy indexing. Could this be a variant of the ancient times Google Sandbox Effect? HAT-TIP: Give new On-Page changes time to take… Google may delay evaluation if it detects constant changing of key On-Page elements. In other words, don’t shoot yourself in the foot before assuming your latest updates didn’t take.
With regard to local SEO; citations and reviews are gaining weight as Google gets better at ‘trusting’ this type of content.
Citations are basically a non-linked fingerprint of your website/business (NAP, email addresses, etc.).
Reviews are most viable when left by active users with filled-out profiles and prior (quality) reviews.

That’s all for now campers! Happy Trails!

Keep close to nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. – John Muir

Just Another Boise SEO Company?

Top 5 Reasons Businesses Choose Jtree

Experience
We were the first company in Boise dedicated to specializing in Internet Marketing and have over 15 years of experience. Not to mention we have 100+ clients under our belt from 20+ states and 3 countries – take a peek.
Web-Based SEO Reporting
We don’t hide our results. In fact, we showcase them! Our clients can visualize the success of their campaign over-time by keeping track of search engine rankings and more on Google, Bing and Yahoo!
Customization
Every single client is unique, and as such requires a strategy that is custom designed. Talking with clients and conducting research prior to creating proposals keeps our campaigns highly efficient.
Specialization
We can optimize almost ANY website, regardless of platform or CMS type because we have experience developing optimized websites on a multitude of platforms.
Flexibility
We work with a large base of talented consultants and companies; enabling participation in projects of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

BONUS Round!

#6 We’ve out-ranked our own competitors in Google for years! 😉

#7 We don’t take competing clients – that’s right!

#8 We are routinely hired to audit other SEO and SEM consultants, companies and agencies

#9 We lead diverse project teams responsible for SEO, PPC and Social Media

Heard Enough? Contact Us to Get Started!

Google Sunsets Feed Reader

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So Long, Old Friend

Much to the dismay of many hardcore users, Google recently announced plans to sunset their once popular feed reader application, Google Reader, this coming July along with a host of other products.

I’ve been using Google Reader for years to:

Collect news stories, social media updates and blog posts for syndication of a particular niche
Pool feeds for web services content collection
Share feeds with Google connections
Star feed items for automatic dissemination to social networks
Feed Flipboard (for a more visual mobile feed reading experience)
Keep tabs on Google Alerts (much better than email alerts)
View YouTube subscriptions
Receive Facebook notifications

And, of course, to stay up on the latest from a wide variety of sources, all in one place.

Hello, Old Friend

If you too, use Google Reader to help stay connected, please consider subscribing to Jtree the old fashion way – email. Subscribe right here or use the ‘Subscribe to Jtree’ form located in the sidebar.

Updates are light and content is focused on company news and occasional industry and local topics.

Google Reader Alternatives

The below alternatives are at the top of the feed reader heap and possess a look and feel reminiscent of Google Reader.

[icon image=”box_download” align=”left”][button link=”http://www.feedly.com/” color=”green” size=”small”]Feedly[/button]

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Mobile Apps: IOS and Android
Import? Yes, can import Google Reader OPML

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[icon image=”box_download” align=”left”][button link=”http://www.newsblur.com/” color=”green” size=”small”]Newsblur[/button]

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Mobile Apps: IOS and Andorid
Import? Yes, has special import functionality for Google Reader

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[icon image=”box_download” align=”left”][button link=”http://flipboard.com/” color=”green” size=”small”]Flipboard[/button]

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Mobile Apps: IOS and Android

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Note: mobile only, no web browser or import functionality

A host of other Google Reader alternatives exist:

A WordPress account can be used to subscribe to individual feeds (blog, social, etc.)
Web browser feed subscription capabilities
Build your own (even host it on your own server) feed reader
Downloadable desktop software
Free and paid smartphone feed reader applications

Regardless of what platform your choose for your future feed reading needs, Google Reader will be indeed be missed.

Barring additional testing, I’m leaning towards Newsblur… feel free to suggest any alternatives in the comments below.