It was probably just a matter of time before someone tried to monetize Google’s +1 by selling them to webmasters either desperate for search engine attention or too naive to understand exactly the type of manipulation that Google frowns upon. In case you don’t quite understand what G considers a poor and manipulative practice, this is it.

This email came in through an old email address that I have not used in 2+ years, but check from time to time because 1 client still emails it when they can’t seem to find my current address. It is my first (the first?) unsolicited email from an, *ahem*, internet marketing company, selling +1′s for the express intent of adding algorithmic social media weight to search rankings. And for as little as $0.59 for each +1!

Here is the full email transcribed with identification data scrubbed.

Continue reading “The First Paid Google +1 Popularity Building Unsolicited Email?” »

The Internet ads have been spotted, etailers have posted their shopping guides, social trends are getting hot, and search queries are rising sharply.

It’s official, Mother’s Day Marketing Season is in full bloom along with the tulips!

Bing.com Shopping Promo for Mother's Day 2010 Bing.com Homepage Text Ad to Mother's Day Gift Guide »»»   Yahoo Homepage Ad

With interest and search volume on the rise (and still rising), and time running out, you will need to consider moving quickly to tap into the remaining Mother’s Day season for SEO, PPC and Social Media.

Continue reading “Mother’s Day Search & Marketing on the Rise, Too Late for SEO, PPC & SMO?” »

My first born is now officially 3 days overdue. Am I patiently waiting? Heck no, not in the least. I’ve seem to have turned into a hyperactive child in need of his Ritalin at the end of a three day candy binge waiting for his habitually late sleeping parents to finally get out of bed on Christmas morning. Except I’m not even sure what day my Christmas is going to fall on. Yeah, I really am that bad off. Continue reading “Patience in Life as in SEO” »