Good keyword research is fundamental for the success of a search marketing campaign. When it comes to building a list of keywords, there are a number of places to look.

This session from SES San Jose covers the process and the main tools available for keyword research.

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A small little analysis I did of the top ranking sites for our core keywords revealed that nowadays Google rarely favours straight corporate sites. Articles, trade sites and directories are among the kinds of sites that breeze around the higher echelons of Google and the other search properties. You can add to that list participatory (user content generated) sites such as Wikipedia – which appeared just about everywhere.

The mighty G pumps the oxygen into these sites that keeps them ticking. According to Bill Tancer from Hitwise:

"Wikipedia is the second most visited site from Google searches (MySpace.com is number one), due mostly to the sheer volume and prominent placement of Wikipedia listings in Google search-engine results. Google is responsible for 46% of Wikipedia’s traffic."

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Interesting quote from Publishing 2.0:

"The new economics of media make charging for content nearly impossible because there is always someone else producing similar content for free — even if the free content isn’t ‘as good as’ the paid content by some meaningful metric, it doesn’t matter because there’s so much content of at least proximate quality that the paid content provider has virtually no pricing power. As smart, talented, and insightful as the New York Times columnists behind the paid wall are, the are too many other smart, talented, insightful commentators publishing their thoughts on the Web for free."

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This trend makes sense in the light of syndication and visibility – the value of these two elements can outweigh any kind of direct payment system and the gated content that ensues.

It seems kind of tautological to refer to this but maybe it will work as blog therapy. Better out than in and all that. After all, it’s quite possible that I’m a borderline blog depressive. The thoughts occasionally bear down on me that I should be blogging. Although its similar to the feelings I have about fixing the toilet roll holder or putting up a picture. All fine endeavors but the sun will continue to do it’s up-down thing regardless. This is exactly the point made by the Nonist Commission for Snide and Completely Unsolicited Public Services.

To quote from their self-help guide/manifesto:

"Take a break. Go ahead. the world won’t end just because you’ve stopped contributing to the vast info-detritus of the world. Have some donuts. Chill."

Check out the whole endearingly empathetic brochure