I mentioned in a post the other day how important and effective SEO can be in a slow economy. Here’s a good read along those same lines. Some good points about refocusing Web Marketing efforts on SEO when budgets are tight.
Or will they be offering other types of “surveillance” to the highest bidder?
Now that the election is over, I think it is reasonable to assume that the Fairness Doctrine, which we have been hearing so much about as far as right wing blogs and radio shows are concerned, could become an issue in the near future. President-Elect Obama has mentioned it numerous times, though he really should be grateful for the lack of it in many respects. It’s clear that what is supposed to be mainstream media trends left, and should perhaps be called out on that. On the other hand, conservative talk radio and bloggers are openly conservative. Attempting to use the Fairness Doctrine to stifle them is censorship, particularly when liberals could do the same thing, if there were a market for it. I should have listed this topic in my post about Obama that was really more of a political rant, but other issues were more pressing at the time. Have to bring it up now, as we may be staring this thing in the face.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the “Fairness Doctrine”, it was a policy of the FCC that attempted to ensure that both sides of controversial topics were presented by the media. It was in effect from 1949 to 1987, when it was finally dropped. Liberals want to bring it back as a way to combat successful right wing radio talk shows and blogs. Obviously, Web content was not an issue when it was in effect up to 1987, but do we really think that they will ignore the Web now? I doubt it, and so does the FCC Chairman, Robert McDowell. Web content could potentially be regulated, or uhhh…censored, that is. This could be disastrous on a number of levels that relate directly to your site and your SEO efforts.
First off, blogs are a great tool for marketing. Many blogs are devoted to one topic, and don’t show two sides of any argument. Admittedly, I never do. My goal is to share my opinion, and let others share theirs. If they reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, they won’t leave Web content out. Clearly, that’s a problem. Not only could bloggers and other Web site owners have to double the amount of content they provide, so as to “give the other point of view”, but this will seriously impact their SEO efforts. On page efforts will be affected – the efforts will be diluted (especially keyphrases), and searchers may be frustrated by results that provide the words they were looking for, but not the content they need.
Secondly,how far will this “Fairness Doctrine” go? Will SEOs be required to optimize for both view points, in an effort to make sure one side of an issue does not outrank the other in search results? How will this effect link building? The government getting too involved with the Web will eventually lead to rules and regulations, and taxes. The government is already trying to dictate how sites are built, with rules about accessibility. The Target corporation was sued in 2006 because it lacked accessibility to the blind. So Web Standards are now in place because of this finding. My take on the Target incidentally: if they are dumb enough to ignore a large market segment, so be it.
The Fairness Doctrine is censorship, plain and simple. People have choices now, there are many TV channels to choose from, plenty of radio stations, and millions of Web sites. If you don’t like what is being said in one place, look for something more in line with your thinking. The free exchange of ideas in an integral part of the Freedom of Speech and the web. I have a bad feeling about this one, folks. Thoughts, anyone? Be sure not to to keep ‘em “fair and balanced”!
So, I along with several others in the SEO industry, have been talking a lot lately about the fact that Search Marketing may be more important and more effective now than ever. With a slowing economy, smart marketers won’t quit marketing. They’ll still want to gain more market share. SEO, as I mentioned in a previous post makes all kinds of sense for several reasons.
But what about big companies like US auto manufacturers? I happen to be a Jeep enthusiast, and I’m more than happy to pay the price at the pump even @ $4/gallon to drive my Rubicon as opposed to a regular car. But undoubtedly many are turning to the search engines to find fuel efficient cars. Take that phrase and search any of the major search engines. Who won’t be there? Ford, GM and Chrysler. Actually not one auto manufacturer shows up. Absolutely amazing.
Come on guys, wake up. You’re about to either go out of business or go to Mr.Obama for a bailout. Why not try firing your ad agencies (or at least putting them in their appropriate place) that are blowing the little money you do have on TV, Magazine and Newspaper advertising budgets and optimize your sites! There is a massive amount of opportunity there.
GM, Ford and Chrysler, don’t be so arrogant as to assume that everyone will come to your site because they know your brand. They will go to the search engines looking for cars that get good gas mileage, and they won’t find you.
Like it or not, he’s our next President. I’m not thrilled about it, but our only option now is to pray that he makes better decisions than we think he will and support any and all good decisions he does make.
I have to make an observation though. Obama said that mention of getting a dog “generated more interest on his Web site than any other topic.”.
WOW…what does that tell you about the people that voted for Obama?
It’s no wonder we elected a man about whom we know almost nothing.
We’re in for a long road folks!
