Based on feedback provided by Google users globally, the search engine giant has implemented updates to its page layout algorithm, which will mean any websites that are ad-heavy ‘above-the-fold’, with minimal content and an ‘excessive’ number of advertisements featuring on the top of their webpages, their ranking in Google’s search results will be impacted by the changes.

(more…)

On the 18th January some of the biggest global sites were blacked out in a protest against the proposed changes to US legislation, that would make publishing just about any web content a minefield, as Google explained in their official blog post on Wednesday 18th: (more…)

In recent months, data produced by a US survey revealed that search leads over social when it comes to people looking online for information on local businesses.  The study also indicated that the internet remains the first choice for many potential customers, that are looking for businesses or services within close proximity to where they live, according to data produced by Pew Internet Research Centre. (more…)

A few weeks ago Google announced that a number of changes have been made to it’s Google+ Pages for business social media platform, to enhance their Pay Per Click campaigns and web reach among potential customers.  The official announcement came via the Google Adwords blog post for Pay Per Click news and updates:

(more…)

Last week online statistics agency Experian Hitwise tweeted that the total number of Google+ visits in the US alone had reached more than 49 million in December of last year, apparently it was the sites “biggest month to date”, up by an impressive 55% when compared with the number of visits made by users in November 2011, further proof (if it were needed) of the burgeoning demand when it comes to digital media marketing sites. (more…)

A few weeks ago Twitter announced that they would be rolling out a new version of their social platform for desktop and mobile users, which included enhanced features for businesses, to rival those already available via Facebook and Google+ Pages.

(more…)

The global online marketing intelligence service Experian Hitwise has published it’s list of the most popular search queries posted in 2011 in the US, with social media sites topping the poll.  The survey analysed the top 1,000 search terms of last year and (perhaps unsurprisingly) Facebook is once again head of the list for the third consecutive year.

(more…)

Top Click Media Reviews Search Engine Optimisation for local businesses, and the findings from a recent small business survey, which revealed that SEO was selected as the most effective marketing tool by local business owners, and identified as their preferred route to market.  According to the ‘Merchant Confidence Index Survey’ conducted by online network MerchantCircle, a social network for local businesses in the US, 33% of business owners that participated selected SEO as the most effective platform when it came to generating new business.

(more…)

According to statistics from the US Commerce Department the annual spending on retail in the US is approximately $4 trillion.  E-commerce has continued to prove a rapidly expanding and lucrative market, although according to the US Commerce Department e-commerce sales account for less than 5% of all retail sales in the States.  However, following a two year study recently published by SEO Help organisation RevTrax, a company that connects digital media with in store sales, providing data that measures the success of online marketing when it comes to driving sales, they have found that the return on investment when it comes to paid search has a detrimental impact on sales made offline.

(more…)

According to comScore’s latest Video Metrix study, Google’s You Tube broke records in October of this year by attracting more than 20 million viewers in a single month, accounting for 49.1% of the total number of videos viewed in the US during October alone.  Based on the findings of the latest comScore research, Americans accessing videos on the web spent an average of more than 20 hours watching content online last month:

(more…)

Top Click Media Reviews the impact of Google+ Pages and whether Google’s social media platform will ever truly compete with Facebook’s established marketing tools.

(more…)

Online sales on ‘Cyber’ or ‘Black’ Monday this week (Monday 28th November) saw an increase of 29.3% in comparison to the same day last year, according to statistics published by IBM’s Benchmark Researchers.  The global ecommerce site FiftyOne, a company which hosts and manages some of America’s biggest department stores and online retailers, including Macy’s and Nordstrum, saw a dramatic increase in international sales, potentially accounting for the rise in sales in comparison to last years figures.  According to a report in Marketing Vox:

(more…)

The retail sector is now the fastest growing in mobile markets, with online marketing strategists emarketer recording that over one third of people use their smartphone to access retail sites.  It is estimated that by June 2012, in the UK alone, half of all mobile owners will be utilising smartphone devices, with an average 2.5% of feature phone users opting to purchase a smartphone handset every month.  When you consider that more than 40 million Britons own a mobile phone, the potential posed by making your website, or online store, accessible to mobile users, is an increasingly appealing option; as does the potential for generating revenue and increasing sales by adopting Search Engine Optimisation UK practices, in order to increase the exposure of your business or brand online.

(more…)