“Search is going to be nothing like what we envision it today. That's because we aren't thinking in exponential terms.” - Stephen Spencer. When I tell people I am Head Of Search they often come back with an incredulous “But what does that mean, exactly? “. To those who wouldn’t understand anyway, I oversimplify and say my job is to help websites get relevant traffic through various methods and convert it to sales or other marketing outcomes.But Search is not merely about that, and in the not-too-distant future, Search will be about way more than just driving traffic and conversions.

In June of last year, Google rolled out its ‘Vince’ algorithm update in the UK. At the time of its earlier US launch, a perceived big brand bias was viewed as a cause for concern, but implementation in the UK raised some new issues. The furore began when SEOs conducting a search at Google.co.uk found varying presences of non-UK results – something they certainly weren’t accustomed to.

(and look important and sexy in the process)

Someone waddled into my corner office at the new QuirkStation the other day, and asked me what I was busy with. Quickly minimising my Facebook and Twitter pages, I managed to stammer that I was busy doing something called “keyword research”.

“Oh? How does one do keyword research?” they asked innocently. Realising that I would probably have to do some work now, I pulled up an easy chair, told the...

The year is just about over friends, and we're approaching that time when you look back and look ahead. I thought it worth highlighting some of the good stuff we've had on GottaQuirk over the year - as voted for by your attention. Let us know what posts you've found meaningful this year, but here are our best of's: 

Creative

• How to Design for Older Web Users
• 20 Inspiring Email Designs
• Website Usability -

...

Flash.

For many years, SEO's have regarded Flash as the Megan Fox of the Internet, pretty to look at, but ultimately lacking in any real substance. The problem with Flash websites you see, was that search engine crawlers would struggle to read the content displayed on these sites, due to the structure of a traditional Flash file. In many instances, a Flash site, which on the face of it looked to have 30-40 pages, would actually only consist o...

I recall a few months back I was very excited about Semanti - a search plugin for Firefox. In fact, I was so enraptured by what it offered that I ran down the street with my underpants over my head, shouting out its virtues to all and sundry. I like to think the reception to this was mostly positive. So, chances are you’re wondering what it was about Semanti that whipped me into such a frenzy? Well, you see, at the time of its release, Semanti offered innovations that neither Google nor Microsoft could match. By partnering with your Facebook profile through Facebook Connect, it was able to display recommendations from your friends alongside your run-of-the-mill search results, which I’m sure you’ll agree is very cool indeed.

The words were barely out my mouth about the urgent need for Google to get more “real-time” with the search results… ..when Voila!.. BOTH Google and Bing announce strategic alliances with Twitter. Naturally, the Twitter grapevine was ablaze with the news. I have 3 things to say about this (besides, “I told you so!” ).

I was inveterately tweeting the other day – as is my wont – and I came across this tweet by Dave Naylor.  If you type “Google Ireland” into Google.co.uk – the Google.co.nz site shows up as the top result (click to enlarge). 

 The same happens if you type “Google South Africa” into the Google.com search engine. 

Clearly the Google Algorithm is a bit confuzzed. Alternatively Google New Zealand have a back door into the global algorithm.

...

For those of you not in the know, SearchStatus is a specialised SEO plugin created with the needs of professional search marketers in mind. Using its vast array of features you can check everything from website source code to the link and traffic importance of a page, allowing you to analyse how any and every website in the world is performing.

So, without further ado, let’s get down to business – the full SearchStatus 1.31 changelog is as ...

Ed's Note: Now before you dismiss us in disgust, consider that every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography, 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography and 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines. Agree with the industry or not - they know a thing or two about using the online medium. Hence Shuan's enlightening post below (I also have reason to believe he made a bet with Tim W that he would get me to publish a post discussing porn. Who am I to deny him a small victory?).