A-to-Z Internet Marketing News: Bloggers Beware, Google Trust, Mobile SEO, New Twitter, SMBs Heart SEO

New Report on B2B Content Marketing for 2012:

This week started off right with the new report (pdf) from Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs:  ”B2B Content Marketing: 2012 Benchmarks, Budgets & Trends”. The report offers a great mix of insight into most and least effective content marketing tactics, social media tools, measurement, budgets and compelling data points like:

• 9 in 10 organizations market with content
• Content marketers use 8 different content marketing tactics (on average) in their mix
• The most popular content marketing tactics included social media, blogs, newsletters, case studies and events
• The least effective content marketing tactics: podcasts, mobile content, digital magazines

While SEO is mentioned in the context of measurement, “SEO Ranking”, there is no other mention of the role of search engine optimization in relation to content marketing in the entire report.  Either questions were not asked that allowed SEO to be indicated as a response or this is further evidence of the disconnect between content marketers and the role of search optimization as a key traffic driver for content. Either way, it reinforces our evangelism at TopRank for companies to invest in content creation as well as optimization and promotion. #optimize

Bloggers Beware:

“Crystal Cox, Oregon Blogger, Isn’t a Journalist, Concludes U.S. Court –Imposes $2.5 Million Judgement on Her”  Cox’s interview with Seattle Weekly sheds some light on a sticky situation.  One of Crystal Cox blogs contained highly critical information about a particular financial company and it’s co-founder.  The prosecution was able to convince the court that because Cox is not affiliated with a specific newspaper, magazine, news service, or network she is not covered under Oregon’s media shield law and therefore can be fined.  Via Seattle Weekly.

Brands New Twitter:

“The New Twitter: Everything You Need to Know” Twitter has revealed a slew of new features and design including Brand pages (like Google+ and Facebook). New features and labeling include: Home (news feed), Connect (Your @replies), Discover (Personalized news stream), Me (Your profile). Along with these revisions are brand pages which are customizable and the ability to embed individual tweets in web pages. Verdict? Did we ask for these changes Twitter? Via Mashable and Twitter.

In Google We Trust: But Does Google Trust You?

“Are You Trusted by Google?”  Determining how Google calculates reputation scores has long been a mystery.  This article provides resources that give some teasers into how Google might use these scores but there is still no information provided on how exactly reputation scores are calculated.  Google’s new Agent Rank provides some clarification when it comes to +1 scores and as predicted, they are not all created equal.  Via SEO by the Sea.

Mobile is Your Daddy:

“How the Mobile Web Changes the SEO Landscape”  Mobile Internet usage is said to surpass desktop usage by 2014.  Something worth noting is that the way that users search using their mobile devices is also very different.  This presents a threat as well as an excellent opportunity for marketers to optimize for mobile.  This article provides some interesting insights into some of the ways that Internet usage is about to change. Via Forbes.

Dodging Social Media Risk:

“Too Many Wrong Messages on Social Media?  Try Leadership, Not Control”  Many organizations have found that the type of information their employees are sharing on social media reflects poorly on their brand and may have severe consequences.   The question many companies face is should they control the way that their employees share?   This article shares some great tips for educating employees on the do’s and don’ts of social media.  Via Social Business News.

SEO is the Bomb for SMBs:

“Survey Says SEO the Single Most Important Marketing Channel for SMBs”  A recent study by MerchantCircle/Reply.com surveyed 2,500 small business owners with some surprising results.  Search Engine Optimization is the marketing channel 32.9% of marketers would use if they had to choose just one making it the front runner by a landslide.  Facebook also ranked high as the most common marketing tool being used to promote their business online.   Via Search Engine Land.