Search Enginge Optimization, Part Three; The FAQ

Q1: Why is FusionSites not found when I check the search engines for 'webposition gold'?
A: Because I have never seriously promoted FusionSites for SEO. Until now, Feb 2005, I used it only to promote the sites I build and maintain. See Q7.

Q2: I see in the sample report that there are some SEs that do not list FusionSites. Why not?
A: Most of them are from English speaking nations other than the US. I have not yet registered with; submitted to them. Some SEs require payment, and these I have not submitted to, either.

Q3: Then why use them; why not just use the SEs that do list FusionSites?
A: To demonstrate, to point out that it is not unusual for a site to be listed with SEs that I have not registered with.
I have never registered with ICQ Search. I can not recall ever visiting the site and I have never used ICQ. However, I am on their first page under 'surveillance books'. Same with AOL. I have never used AOL but they have me on page one under 'manuscript proofreading'. And anyway, to use only those SEs that have FusionSites ranked would be unethical, it would give a false impression.

Q4: How does this happen?
A: This is a very complex system. Some SEs have their own 'engines'. Others use the engine of another. And this changes periodically. So where one SE does not index, crawl, search, another one does. And the results get mixed and filtered into different SEs, as you have just seen.
In the sample report, you will see "(This SE) does not support domain searches." It means that this SE will not search a particular domain name (URL or UDN) but it will search for the key words plugged into WPG and list what it finds at that site. But still, you find that I am listed. Web sites get worked into the system. Spread around.
An example. You visit a site that has a public forum or you signed the 'Guest Book' on a particular web site. Then, that site is crawled by a SE that you have not submitted to. But, that spider finds your URL, your Domain Name and indexes it, so you find your site listed.
The same can happen if someone has a link to your site. Links are important in site rank, especially to Google.
This takes time, but if you have good "Spider Food" it will happen.

Q5: How do I submit my site to the SEs that do not list me?
A: From Part 6, the SE List, go to each of them and follow the instructions. Note that some do not accept URL listings and others require payment in advance. (And this can be considerable). Last I checked, Yahoo and LookSmart were each $300. (Nevertheless, LookSmart has me on page one under Oldtime Radio.) To improve your rankings on Kanoodle, you'll need to and place bids similar to Overture.com. Since the Google portion of the Kanoodle results are so similar to other Google-based engines, only the paid Kanoodle listings will be shown on this report. And, again, this is constantly changing.

Q6: What about these sites that offer to list me with a gazillion search engines?
A: If you have had Internet access long enough to have built a web site, then you are well aware that there are countless sites, as well as Email spammers, that offer you things so incredible that common sense dictates otherwise. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. So, you probably will not have 23 million dollars deposited to your bank account if you respond to a letter from a VIP in Nigeria who begs your help.
There are not thousands of search engines. And while there may be hundreds, there are only 29 or so domestic (Based in the US) and 71 (Based in other countries) that are worth using. The list is from First Place Software, producers of WebPosition Gold. These people know their stuff.
It is very possible that if you sign up with one of these places that make such promises, that you may end up having your site penalized, or temporarily blacklisted. So, why take the chance?
Whether you do or do not hire FusionSites to promote your site, please do not use these gazillion search engine places. Do submit to those SEs in the list. Here is a spam example:

Hello,
I have visited fusionsites.com and noticed that your website is not listed on some search engines. I am sure that through our service the number of people who visit your website will definitely increase. SeekerCenter is a unique technology that instantly submits your website to over 500,000 search engines and directories -- a really low-cost and effective way to advertise your site. For more details please go to SeekerCenter.net.
Give your website maximum exposure today!
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Vanessa Lintner
Sales & Marketing
www.SeekerCenter.net

Q7: So, could I improve my rank; FusionSites, if I took the time to do so?
A: Most definitely. I could do better for SEO and Web Position Gold. But my main interest is working with fiction authors, researching and editing manuscripts. And anyone who needs this service can find me easily enough. I am also fairly well listed as a source of information on old radio programs, but this is not a commercial interest; I make nothing from the OTR pages. It is just a service to those who love these old programs. Meanwhile, I have started re-writing the site to promote SEO.

Q8: Why not do the changes, make new keywords and etc. first, and then run WPG?
A: To repeat from the first page, we can do it that way, but you really need the first run as a reference. Otherwise you won't be able to see how much of an improvement has been made by the changes, particularly in how you rank compared to your competitors based on key words.
And the same applies if you have WPG run a third time in the future. Remember that WPG archives previous reports that can be used for comparison to new runs.
One exception to this is a site that has virtually no keywords, simple ineffective titles or none of the other things the robots use to index a site. Such a site might have very few listings. But then one never knows until they investigate.

Q9: Why are there so many duplicate listings?
A: WPG has an option where you can set it to list any page that contains any of the key words, or only a single page; usually the opening screen, index.html. I select 'any' for a more comprehensive report even though it increases the report size considerably. You will see what I mean if you become a client and have access to this lengthy (13 megabytes) HTML document.

Q10: What the heck is : higgelxavortykq?
A: This is one of my 'tricks' (That I am giving away). I make up a nonsense word and Google it to make sure it doesn't appear on any site Google searches. Then I add this 'word' to a particular page on a web site I maintain, wait a few days or a week or two, then use different search engines to see if it shows up. If so, then I know that page on that site has been indexed by that search engine. I did the same with 'jade pterodactyls' several years ago and it still ranks!
Yes, I could run WPG for this but for a single keyword it is easier and takes less time.
I also, sometimes, if requested, insert such a word into a site to see if anyone has illegally copied it.
To demonstrate this, today (Wed 02 March) I am adding such an 'un-word' to the FusionSites opening screen, and will check it in a few days to see if it has been indexed. xaxxaljarklinfrijit

Q11: How soon can I expect to see results?
A: I have 'buried' this answer because the previous information should give you a basic understanding of how SEO works. There is no way to narrow this down to a specific date. Some SEs might get your site indexed in only a few days. Others might take months. Getting listed with SEs you have not been submitted to, as described in Q4, could take many months and might never happen. There is no way to predict this.
But generally speaking, plan on about six weeks. I recommend that you wait that long before having us run WPG the second time.
Meanwhile, I will have suggested that your Webmaster use a non-word such as higgelxavortykq. This way I can run WPG using only that term and on only the most used SEs to see how well you are being indexed.
 

Q12: OK so I hire you and I get good results. But how long will that last? Do I need to keep paying you to run WPG in the future?
A: How long you remain well ranked depends on several things. Rank fluctuates from one day to the next. How much competition is there for your goods or services and how hard are they working to get better listings than you have? If very little, then you will remain well listed indefinetly, although it is a good idea to use different SEs and search for some of your main key words and phrases to see for yourself that you are still listed. If you become a client, you will be given access to a screen containing a list of sources you can take advantage of, and which are free.
As to having me run WPG again in the future, I will do so for a nominal cost of $XX.00. And, of course, I archive on CD your files with all the previous results intact, for comparison.

Q13: I could just buy WPG and do it myself, right?
A: You can. And while it is not difficult to use, it does have a learning curve. Plus, you would also have to learn the 'tricks' I keep ranting about, which is labor intensive, and avoid the mistakes that can hurt your rank with the SEs.

Q14: I have read that if I try to promote my own site, that "One wrong step and your site is banned from a search  engine for life." Is this true?
A: I know that there are things that can penalize you on some SEs, but I am not aware of being forever banned unless maybe you have a site that involves unlawful activities, child pornography or something like that. I will look into this when I have time, and report my findings here.

Next, submitting to the search engines and about log files.