John M Weaver SEO - My Original Blog From 2005

Have you ever wondered who’s really paying attention to your content? Chances are, you have more silent viewers than you realize—people who see your posts, ads, or website but don’t take immediate action. For the longest time, I thought impressions were just a vanity metric. Sure, it was nice to see big numbers in reports, but I didn’t think they had any real business impact. I was wrong. The truth is, impressions are more powerful than we give them credit for. More people are noticing your work and taking action than you’ll ever see in your analytics. They’re paying attention, even if they’re not clicking right away. Why Impressions Are More Than Just a Vanity Metric In digital marketing, impressions measure how many people see your content. They’re often overshadowed by clicks, conversions, or direct engagement metrics because those are easier to tie back to ROI. But impressions do something those metrics can’t—they create awareness and plant the seeds for future action. Think about ...

I originally shared this on LinkedIn, but I wanted to revisit and refine it for fresh eyes. Sitting on the steps outside Municipal Arena in downtown Kansas City last weekend, waiting for my daughter’s next cheerleading performance, I had a moment of clarity: marketing feels like it’s moving backwards. Passing the time, I scrolled through Medium.com and LinkedIn, and the headlines felt oddly nostalgic—less 2024, more 2014. Articles like “The Best Profile Sites to Boost Your Brand Beyond Google” and “How to Get Traffic from Other Sources than Google” caught my attention. And it hit me: is everyone over Google? Probably not. But one thing is certain—online search behavior is shifting. It’s About the Experience Today’s marketing conversations remind me of how retro trends become cool again. Take vinyl records: many elder millennials I know cherish their collections. Vinyl isn’t practical—you can stream any song instantly. But it’s not about convenience; it’s about the experience. The same...

 Earlier this year, I purchased four niche websites that had been hit hard by Google’s Oct/Nov algorithm updates. These weren’t spammy or low-quality sites—they had solid content, a mix of human and AI-generated articles—but they were held back by poor branding and a nonexistent link-building strategy. I saw potential. So, I invested time and money to revamp their branding and build links, reigniting their performance. The results? Three of the four sites have already been sold to an old friend who specializes in building sites for link-building services. The fourth? I’m holding onto it... for now. Yes, I made a nice profit, but this post isn’t about flexing. The Challenges of Post-Update Niche Sites After Google’s algorithm updates, many niche site owners found themselves in a tough spot. Traffic tanked, and profits dried up. For the sites I purchased, the issues boiled down to three main areas: Poor Branding: The sites lacked a professional, cohesive identity, which hurt user tr...

 Every once in a while, a tool comes along that completely changes how you work. ASE (Advanced Scripts Editor) is one of those tools. If you’re managing WordPress sites and haven’t tried it yet, let me tell you—it’s an absolute game changer. Yes, I said GAME CHANGER . For the kids in the back, let me say it louder: GAME CHANGER! Grab a coffee, kick back, and let me tell you why ASE deserves a spot in your WordPress toolkit. What Is ASE? If you’re not familiar with ASE, let me break it down. ASE, or Advanced Scripts Editor, is a WordPress plugin that gives you superpowers when it comes to customizing and managing scripts on your site. Instead of juggling multiple plugins or digging into your theme files, ASE makes it easy to add, edit, and organize scripts all in one place. Think of it as your Swiss Army knife for WordPress customization. Why ASE Is a Game Changer I don’t throw around the term “game changer” lightly, but ASE earns it. Here’s why: Efficiency: ASE saves you time by l...

Updated 2019: Google has announced they have ended this great tool. I recommend Bit.ly for URL shortening. Google’s URL shortener, goo.gl , is quickly becoming one of the best tools for simplifying and tracking links. It isn’t just another shortener—it’s packed with features that make it indispensable for marketers, bloggers, and anyone looking to share cleaner, shorter URLs online. Let me walk you through why this tool is so awesome and why it deserves a spot in your digital toolkit. What Makes goo.gl Stand Out 1. Seamless Integration with Google Products Goo.gl isn’t just a standalone tool. It integrates flawlessly with other Google products like Google Analytics, allowing you to track clicks, locations, and devices for your shortened links. For anyone already using the Google ecosystem, this is a no-brainer. 2. Reliability and Speed Unlike some third-party URL shorteners, goo.gl is fast and reliable. Being backed by Google’s infrastructure means you don’t have to worry about downti...

When it comes to SEO tools, we’re spoiled for choice. From heavyweight platforms like SEMrush and Ahrefs to smaller, cost-effective solutions like Keywords Everywhere, there’s a tool for every budget and need. But no tool is perfect, and understanding the pros and cons of each can save you time, money, and frustration. Keywords Everywhere is one of the most popular browser extensions for SEO research, and it’s easy to see why. It's affordable, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with platforms like Google, YouTube, and Amazon. But it also has its limitations. So, is Keywords Everywhere right for you? Let’s break it down. What Is Keywords Everywhere? Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that helps marketers and SEO professionals analyze keyword data directly in search engines. Instead of jumping between your browser and a separate dashboard, it overlays useful metrics like search volume, cost-per-click (CPC), and competition directly onto your search results. This simplicit...

  In 2012, Google Panda reshaped the SEO landscape, emphasizing one critical factor: content quality. This algorithm update marked a turning point for search engines, content creators, and SEO professionals alike. For those who relied on low-quality, keyword-stuffed pages or content farms, it was a rude awakening. For those focused on providing value to users, it was a moment of opportunity. Let’s dive into why the 2012 Panda update made content quality the centerpiece of SEO strategies and how it continues to influence search rankings today. The Problem Before Panda Before the Panda update, Google’s search results were plagued with low-quality content that ranked well despite offering little value to users. These issues stemmed from practices like: Content Farms: Sites producing massive amounts of shallow, keyword-focused articles to dominate search rankings. Duplicate Content: Pages that copied or slightly altered existing content to gain ranking visibility. Thin Content: P...