There’s a new SEO contest being put on by the V7N forum, in case you haven’t heard.
The phrase that’s being targeted is "v7ndotcom elursrebmem".
May 15th is the day that rankings will be checked.
What type of page do you think will win it?
(and keep any flames to yourself, I don’t want to hear any of it.)
16 Responses
I might as well take a stab my guess for what type of page will win.
Guess one…whomever got the exact phrase http://www.v7ndotcom elursrebmem.com will have a good shot (google seems to like it if you have the exact search phrase as your url).
guess two… someone who adds a new page to an old established site…the older, and more established (trusted) the better.
Hey Jim!
I’ve been reading your blog since SES Chicago, but never commented. I’m fairly new to the industry and appreciate the information you provide!
So, does Google really place that much wieght on the domain name? I guess I could see how it would help if the content on the site and the anchor (and surrounding?) text of IBLs backed it up. It would only make sense.
I’m taking a stab at the contest, but know I’m already behind. I don’t have much time to put into it, but I think it would be a great opportunity to see what others are doing and learn more about Google’s current algo!
having keywords in the domain is a tiny factor to ranking…tiny…unless you have the exact phrase as the url, then I’ve seen a big boost….
example: if you were targeting “v7ndotcom elursrebmem” and your url was v7ndotcomelursrebmem.com then I think you get a big bonus…
but if your url is http://www.v7ndotcom elursrebmem1.com (add a “1” to the URL), then you just get a tiny, tiny bonus…
I normally don’t ever suggest getting urls with keywords in them (anymore) Unless you have the opportunity to get the Exact phrase you’re targeting in the url.
“new page to an old established site…the older, and more established (trusted) the better.”
I would place my bet on this. Also, the contest page has to be squeaky Jill Whalen clean because Google spam reports as a tactic will be used indiscriminately for the duration of the contest 🙂
It’s funny..these contents give us a glimpse of what works in Google SEO wise and this is something Google obviously does not want SEOs to know and exploit. So will Google be actively watching the contest and purposely throwing contestants off with random results?
“So will Google be actively watching the contest and purposely throwing contestants off with random results?”
Watching, yes.
Random results? No.
Google is almost certainly going to see which aspects of its algorithm are most prone to manipulation, so they can be devalued in future updates over late 2006/early 2007.
Gray Wolf is willing to donate to the St Jude’s Center for Children if he wins the contest.
I think it’s a great cause to donate to. In fact, each month We Build Pages sends money to St. Jude as a sponsor.
Help Gray Wolf win the v7ndotcom elursrebmem contest by linking to this page http://www.wolf-howl.com/v7n/
PS. Anyone else who tries to post a link to their v7ndotcom elursrebmem page on my blog will get deleted – I’m backing Gray Wolf’s bid to send the money to St. Jude.
Well. We have decided to participate to see if we actually know anything about what we claim to be good at, or if we are just big talkers.
I really HOPE any of the “big names” in the industry will participate. But I seriously doubt anyone dares.
For us it is important to participate. Mostly for our own peace of mind. If we lose, so be it.
You originally asked what kind of site we thought would win…
My bet is that a blog with good backlinks and a good hook will win, versus a typical site.
Gray Wolf will have a big advantage having links from sites like yours Jim, Rand, and others that are sure to follow… but I do believe randomness impacts SERPS (at least marginally), and I think that the number 1 spot is very much up for grabs.
By the way, I’m glad to see you’re supporting such a worthwhile cause. Maybe one of the byproducts of this contest is that many of us who have not supported this charity will make donations (regardless of the winner). I know I intend to.
Jim – I’m thrilled to see you’re backing Graywolf, too. I think it would be really cool to see this thing end on such a positive note. It would be hilarious in a way, too.
– Hundreds of link networks exposed
– SEO tricks uncovered
– And $4K going to a charity 🙂
That would put a smile on my face on May 15!
Graywolf – better viral linking. (I’ve already voted with my link)
For anyone who thought I was crazy,
#1, #4, #7, & #8 are all the exact phrase urls, .com, .net, .org, and .co.uk.
yes…if you have the exact phrase, I do believe you get a bonus.
Since its a no follow I hope you didn’t mind. I was just trying to give the URL not get a link. I did not realize that URL would actually turn into a link without me coding it, sorry.
I’m surprised at the number of new domains in the top of the SERPs right now, but I’m still betting that come May 15th, an older, established blog will be getting all the glory.
>>Hundreds of link networks exposed
I seriously doubt that people will be using their link networks to win this. Just like in the NU contest, I believe that viral marketing, not SEO, will win it. The guy who can come up with an idea to get folks to link to him of their own free will, that guy will win.
I thought we learned that in the NU contest. 🙂
Anyway we look at it, it’ll be a learning experience. The best part for me is that it’s getting webmasters who’ve never even heard of SEO involved in it, in a fun way.
Google will watch the results and see what to change!
Very surprised as well that about 80% of the domain names on page 1 seem to be new ones, but then starting page 2 the majority are old, established and remain thruout the other pages.
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