Punch

Pete Goold

We've seen some significant movement for search engine rankings across our clients in the last week or so. Having done some digging, it transpires that Google has just implemented in the UK it's brand-centric approach to rankings which was unveiled in the US earlier this year. This is purported to favour ‘brands' over ‘non-brands' - which of course begs the unanswerable question of what constitutes a brand in Google's definition.

Whilst no-one (outside Google) has an exact answer to that just yet, based on what we've learned in the last few days, the search community seems to think that the new rules implemented by Google in the UK are now looking at several factors with renewed vigour in terms of a site's SEO ranking:

• A cohesive overall site structure
• Internal linking policies
• How urls are constructed
• Fresh content
• The age of a domain
• Chatter from social media/networks
• An external linking profile

Certainly it seems as though the value of internal linking/site architecture has risen in prominence significantly. In other words, sites which are constructed well with SEO in mind from the outset should do well/better moving forward. Also, it's believed that references to a brand in links from social media are also now more relevant and included within the new ‘brand algorithm'.

So, if a site is well constructed, has historical credibility in terms of the search engine landscape, has regularly refreshed content published on-site, inbound external links from social media etc, this change is may either make little impact or actually benefit a site's ranking.

Certainly it doesn't seem to have penalised the Punch site (as yet), actually increasing its prominence as we are now both #1 and #2 result for 'PR Agency' for example.

Still, it's certainly worth knowing that the overall landscape has shifted considerably - the net result enforcing best practice and therefore rewarding those that are currently undertaking best practice and penalising those that aren't.

There's an interesting post on this here (and I've had further verification via a briefing email that was covertly sent to me via a friend at a global ad agency, which is noticing the same activity).

Pete Goold

I'm still managing to hold down two blogs.

Not quite sure there's a clear diffential between this and my personal blog, Out of Office Messages, in terms of content as some pieces feel appropriate for either/both. The hard part to date has been knowing where to draw the line so it doesn't become either a confessional experience or overly self important.

Would love to hear feedback if you have any thoughts. 

Pete Goold

I'm loving Hugh MacLeod's first book, "Ignore Everybody" - it's a corker.

As with the best business books, it's short enough to read in one or two sittings (although im only getting it in snippets but that's fine too as it's 40 very short chapters) and the ideas shine through with terrific clarity.

I'm a huge fan of Hugh, from his blog, GapingVoid and the cartoons upon which his work is based (my current favourite cartoon being Dinosaur). Moreover, although his work is relevant to me on a number of levels, he absolutely nails the changes that we're currently experiencing as a commercial society and how that affects the individual.

So, I bought into Hugh's idea of his book as a social object (basically: buy one of the first 1,000, send him the receipt, receive a free second copy that has been signed, hand either or both on as conversation starters). We've also imported a Corinthians print for the Punch office, which I'm hoping to get back from the framer this week.

Pete Goold

Just read this terrific post on how Habitat has tried its hand at social media - Twitter specifically. The brand used hashtags (ie preceeding specific terms with #, to tag content for specific searches) which is fair enough - it's something that most/many twitter users do frequently. However, what was different was that the tweets included hashtags for completely irrelevant trending topics (as listed to the right of google, indicating the most popular topics at any given time) in an attempt to raise the feed's visibility. In doing so, not only did it use irrelevant tags (ie #Apple, #iPhone etc) but, far worse, it used the global interest in the Iranian election to sell it's wares.

So, unsuprisingly, there's been a web backlash.

As per the post referenced above, the point is not that Habitat can't be forgiven for making a mistake - it's not the first brand to regard social media as the modern version of a billboard - however it's still yet to show any remorse or to have accepted responsibility for its actions. In the long term, this is going to be hugely damaging.

This is another example of a brand that needs to learn that conversations are more impactful and effective than push marketing in the social space.

Pete Goold

It's a strange phenomenon, but we are being contacted on a fairly regular basis by private individuals that seem to think raffling their house and possessions is a good idea and one which is going to work well from a press perspective. Not entirely sure on what basis this is believed to be the case - possibly the success of a micro-sales concept, such as the Million Dollar homepage a few years ago which spawned numerous competitors.

Almost without exception we're offered this opportunity as thought it's a genuine brainwave, only then to be told that we're to be paid out of the proceeds of the exercise. Whilst it's not something we'd take on either way, the fact that we're asked to take al the risk makes these approaches risible.

On a separate point, this week we've begun promoting Free Widgets and Make Money Blogging.

Holly Henstock

As the weekend draws near, once again I am going to have to stop myself from going shopping and splashing out on that pair of shoes I have had my eye on!

Not the kind of girl to go for chocolate, or food in general really, I would rather save my pennies and spend it all on one fell swoop on a shopping spree! Taking into account we are in the middle of a recession, I do feel slightly guilty even considering treating myself to a pair of shoes or a new dress.

Punch client WowVoucherCodes.co.uk has just been featured in Full House! Magazine offering discounts on a wide variety of high street brands such as Marks and Spencer and money off cosmetics at Boots.

Knowing that I can use discount codes in so many shops, the question remains will I be able to resist the temptation?

Abbie Upton

Punch client Karacha.com has been featured in the latest edition of Education Today in a half page feature highlighting the importance of music to children's development.

Playing an instrument such as a saxophone, clarinet or one of Karacha.com's range of brightly coloured violins is a great way for Dads to bond with their children this Father's Day and boost their kids brain power at the same time.

See the article in full here.

Katharine Parker

mumsdatedads.co.uk, a lighthearted single parent dating site, launched to make parent dating easier, and enable single parents to find their perfect partner has experienced a dramatic rise in the number of single Dad's signing up - could it be that Miss Right is the one thing that single Dad's really have on their Father's Day wish list?

I think it's safe to say that dating for parents has been made a lot easier thanks to mumsdatedads!

Pete Goold

Our new PR credentials document is now live.

Katharine Parker

The launch of Punch client mumsdatedads.co.uk, a single parent dating site for single parents, has been featured on the Father's Quarterly website.

Click here to read the story.