I’m hearing and reading a lot of talk about Google’s Algorithm, so I thought I’d chime in to give my take on things. An article last week about Search Engine Optimization being dead sparked a lot of debate on the discussion boards and a few heated flares here and there.

First don’t be alarmed, search is alive and well and will not be going anywhere anytime soon. It is still a great channel to get your message to your target audience. Over the last 5 years, other tools have emerged, but Search Engine Marketing still remains one of the more effective ways to impact market segments around the globe.

This morning I was peering over a tool that Google provides called, Webmaster Tools (the name sounds out of date). I was appreciative of the fact that I had over 500+ terms in the top 1-5 search spots on the web and roughly 45,000 webpage links to the same content.

Hold up for a second here! I know some of you are asking, why is 500+ keywords and phrases and 45,000 links to my content important? And my response is:
1. It represents an enormous and effective channel to reach thousands with your brand
2. Since this is organic, some of you would agree that FREE is a cost effective method.
3. The passion and tremendous pleasure from a person, in my line of work, seeing market penetration is an unimaginable feeling I can’t describe; your content engaging communities across the web and taking on a life of its own is an extraordinary feeling.

Back to my discussion: Yes Google has made a lot of changes to their algorithm over the last couple of years. They’ve been making changes since the creation of Google and when they stopped providing their service to Yahoo, so why all the fuss now I wonder? Is it because everyone and their mother has a means to express their views?

I suggested a free webinar to individuals who questioned Google’s effectiveness in a LinkedIn group, in our day and age, because I didn’t want to give insight into Google per say. I wanted them to see a great search tool’s effect on business, culture and the dissemination of information in just about every part of our life by looking through my data sets.

It thought it would’ve been a very valuable experience, like a digital field trip of sorts. My efforts were fruitless, but my LinkedIn connections provide invaluable advice in other areas of business and I’m very grateful to them.

So thousands of hits around my brand is definitely something to cheer about. I want it to be clear, I’m not cheering Google in this instance. Although, in full disclosure, I must admit I do from time to time. I’m enormously excited about web activity, and search activity in particular.

It’s like looking down on the Times Square during morning rush hour. Folk are hustling and bustling to markets across New York, the city that never sleeps. Google’s Search never sleeps. I’m sure they’ll be many more channels emerging from a digital marketing perspective, but I felt I needed to assure some people to keep believing in Search.