If you get a really coherent domain name, chances are it’s been used before. Now, sometimes you’ll be fine. [...]]]> If you’re out registering a dot-com domain, and an available domain seems too good to be true here in 2007, go see if it has any residual inbound links (use Yahoo!) or a history over at archive.org.

If you get a really coherent domain name, chances are it’s been used before. Now, sometimes you’ll be fine. Other times, just slam up a dummy page, get it verified via Yahoo and Google, and see if it indexes.

…and be ready to file a reconsideration request.

Most domains that are really coherent and dot-com and available in 2007? Probably banned at least once already, or used for a porn-squatter spam site. You’ll end up having to do some housecleaning.

Being an SEO means being self-conscious about your own actions and the actions of others on the Internet. At least it does for me, possibly because it’s semi-universal, or possibly because I am a freak with [...]]]> …or, “Just use the internet to do illegal downloads and porn like the rest of us,” says my pal Jawa.

Being an SEO means being self-conscious about your own actions and the actions of others on the Internet. At least it does for me, possibly because it’s semi-universal, or possibly because I am a freak with a degree in literature and in navel-gazing fiction writing.

A friend posts to their personal blog about the ‘worst online shopping experience ever’ and links the offending retailer? I comment and explain how to no-follow — because even if you go for negative anchor text, there’s still some link equity to it for the site targeted.

I like a book, or a restaurant, or buy a shiny new bike part? Well, I can post about it and no-follow, or post about it and not link it because I like it, but not in THAT way, kind of like being in junior high and liking my square dance partner but not like boyfriend-like, just in that ok-as-a-square-dance-partner and this-phys-ed-unit-is-stupid way.

My mom reads an online review? I do a text analysis to determine if it’s real or totally bogus, written by the owner, and then I tell her about inherent bias in user-supplied reviews.

A friend posts a picture of their cat? I suggest taking it to a LOLCat generator, or using the video feature on their camera phone to help further pollute the electrons of the universe with more grainy video/image of pets.

My bike club has web site hosting problems? I look at the domain headers and sigh a lot.

Life would sure be simpler if I did something sane for a living, like garbage collection.