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And there you have it. Proof positive that Google is pissed off about paid links. I’ve been demoted from a PR4 to a PR3 to a PR2. Owie!
So, whom do I owe my allegiance to?
My advertiser, though I’m not sure they’ll stay with me since this Google abasement. I wouldn’t blame them, if they left. Yet, according to CrazyEgg.com, that link gets more clicks that any other links on my blog.
If my sponsor leaves, will it help me? I doubt it. I’ve been writing this blog for almost two years and I think my feed still has all the back posts, though this place is only showing posts since my recent hack and destroy. A real pisser.
Do I use keyword phrases in my blog to make it SEO friendly. Nope. Do I just write stuff and let the chips fall wherever. Yep.
To me, blogging isn’t all about SEO, unless you’re using a blog for a specific purpose–of driving traffic to a main website. I’m not driving traffic to OVMarketing with this blog because it’s a bullshit site. I put it up when I was a brand newbie and it pretty much just sucks. So, I don’t try to promote it. I’d rather promote my 7 Secrets to Writing Killer Articles site, but I have a blog for that. I don’t write in it, but I have one. 
My issue is time. When a blog entry strikes me, I write it.
But I’ve started working on something of my own. It’s about something I totally enjoy, which is blogging. I love the mechanics, the plugins, the writing, the Web 2.0ing and all of it. I run 5 blogs for Tellman, and one for me, so it’s something I’m involved in all day long. So, I’ve mustered a great deal of blog knowhow energy, and my new website is all coming together.
Stay tuned…
It will be preceded by a killer free teleseminar series, and then…
This is going to be awesome! And it’s where I’ll be gathering all my personal SEO eggs–in that one basket. I’m going to put more information and effort into this project (well I’ve been hacking away at it for a couple of months now already) than into anything I’ve ever done online before.
I love teaching and helping new people online. In fact, doing it tonight over at Tellman’s List Building Club. If you’re a member, be sure to dial in. Brian Edmondson and I are going to be looking at people’s websites and giving our thoughts on how to make them better, plus fielding questions. We’ve started doing these calls twice a month now, since they’ve become so popular.
Hope to see you on the call!
Popularity: 23% [?]
October 31st, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Hi - I came here via BlogRush. I can relate to what you are saying. My blog inexplicably dropped to a ranking of 3 last year after being ranked 4 for a year. I agree we just have to stay focused on our customers and our sponsors and write for our audience.
Despite the drop in ranking last year, my blog still retained its No.1 position in Google for its targeted keyword…so who knows how relevant rank is anymore!
I’m finding that linking my blog to my Squidoo lens gives me multiple bites at Google listings…so I’ll keep doing that and offering real content and resources to my readers.
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Hey Ron!
Too true. Folks are saying that PR is dead. Personally, I think it’s just something for Google to hold over our heads. It really has nothing to do with the SERPs pages. If you look at most pages you won’t see high PR sites in the #1 spot. (Of course, it depends on what you’re Googling.)
Pfffttt!! PR
Pat