URL parameter controls were first introduced to Google Webmaster Tools in 2009, and Google improved these in 2010, by providing an option for a default value. Now, the URL parameters feature is giving site owners even more advanced controls — webmasters can now specify how a parameter changes the content of the page.
The new options you now have over whether specific parameters affect your site content:
No: Doesn’t affect page page content
Yes: Changes, reorders, or narrows page content
Let Googlebot decide
This new feature can be extremely useful for sorting, filtering, pagination, etc. By being able to communicate to Google about how to handle URLs containing specific parameters, webmasters can improve their PageRank potential by designating which URL to best represent clusters of duplicate URLs.
Of course, only edit these parameter settings if you are confident about how your parameters affect your website — excluding the wrong URLs could wipe your pages from the Google index, resulting in a completely adverse effect on your SEO efforts.
Skybox SEO provides SEO Services to increase your organic search placement. Contact us today for a free quote! info@skyboxseo.com or call 619.865.8881
10 Best SEO Tools for 2011
Understanding all the information available about SEO can be a challenge, Organic Search Engine Optimization can be a full time job for multiple people depending on your goals. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to educate yourself through free SEO tools. We have compiled a list of the 10 best SEO tools for 2011 to assist you in understanding your site, researching your competitors, keywords and creating a strategy to dominate your placement on search engines.
Research is key, this step requires a bit of time, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold. Provided by Google, this tool allows you to research your industry keywords to learn about local and global traffic statistics.
SEO Tool #1 Google Keyword Tool
www.adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
Now, what does your site look like to search engines in terms of SEO?
SEO Tool #2 SEO Website Grader
www.websitegrader.com
SEO Tool #3 SEO Blog Grader
blog.grader.com
SEO Tool #4 Check Backlinks & Anchor Text
www.bluebacklinks.com
SEO Tool #5 Search Engine Spider Simulator
www.webconfs.com/search-engine-spider-simulator.php
SEO Tool #6 Alexa Ranking (Worldwide Rank, Search Analytics, Audience Stats, Etc.)
www.alexa.com
SEO Tool #7 SEO Book – Free SEO Tools (These SEO tools can be used for ongoing website analysis and stats.)
www.tools.seobook.com
Next, it’s a good idea to asses what your competition looks like. (You can use the tools above as well as the tools below for this purpose)
SEO Tool #8 Spy on Your Competitors (Learn About Competitor Keywords & AdWords)
www.spyfu.com
Once your ready to move forward with an SEO strategy, the tools below will hep you with search engine & directory submission as well as PR article distribution.
SEO Tool #9 Search Engine & Directory Submission Tool
www.ubl.org
SEO Tool #10 Press Release Article Distribution
www.prnewswire.com
Knowledge is only half the battle! Once you understand the status of your current site and have a better understanding of what you need to do, it’s time to hire experts to handle the workload so you ca get back to business.
Overwhelmed with information? We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free SEO quote. info@skyboxseo.com or call 619.865.8881
