SEO Experts QueryClick Welcome Skype Subsidised Wi-Fi Hotspots For Internet Week

Internet Week began in New York City in 2008, and incorporated over 250 events last year. 2010 sees the première of the five-day festival in Europe, with the schedule of events to take place throughout London. It is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and is open to any willing company eager to participate in this celebration of the digital industry in Europe.

Running from the 8th – 12th November, the festival, boasting over 80 events, will be enhanced by the announcement that Skype will be subsidising free Wi-Fi access throughout the UK for the duration of the event via the Skype Access service.

Commenting on the relationship between Skype and the Internet Week Europe, Co-Chairman David-Michel Davis said:

“What better way to celebrate that impact than partnering with Skype to make the Internet more accessible than ever.”

It certainly does show a commitment on Skype’s part to further the accessibility of the internet in public places, albeit for the 5 days of the festival only. SEO Experts QueryClick view the provision of free access as a hugely positive addition to the Internet Week event, insisting that:

“It makes sense that internet access in public spaces should be offered for free in accordance with the principles of the event, and the celebratory nature of the festival.”

The availability of free internet access to all in the UK increases the reach of the week of talks, conferences, challenges, and debates to all those outwith the London perimeters. The inclusion of big name brands such as Google, BBC, Yahoo!, and Lonely Planet ensures that the event will be a highly popular one, luring in the crowds with the crop of digital celebrity.

Via EPR Network
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SEO Experts QueryClick.com Discuss Google Place Search and The Heightened Importance of ‘Local’ Results

The launch of Google Place Search at the end of October has significantly altered the face of Google SERPs. With the focus now placed emphatically on local results, the ramifications of this change will affect a range of companies as well as the operations of the average SEO.

The most notable change to the result lay-out is the abolition of the “7-pack” section which previously appeared at the top of the page. The familiar grouping of 7 local search results adjacent to the map display has been replaced by a more comprehensive listing of local search results, with the geographical visualisations now located in the right hand column – an alteration which has caused concern due to the subsequent obscuration of the Adwords section.

According to Andrew Shortland, founder of ‘Local SEO Guide’, the tool lends itself to small businesses. His belief is that the new format “intensifies the competition for local rankings”. Shortland also points out that sites with a physical address within the searched for city will gain an advantage over those which lack the corresponding location.

In a similar vein, customer reviews will also benefit a business site, affording reviewed businesses a greater prominence within the SERPs.

The driving theory behind the latest development is the statistic offered by Google that over 20% of searches are location related. This may now be increased as search habits are modified to make better use of the Place Search function.

SEO company QueryClick.com believe that different sectors will be affected to varying extents by the introduction of this tool.

“The tool will affect some industries more than others, with one obvious example being the hospitality industry, for whom geo-modified search queries will play a more significant role. In such cases, search engine optimisation will revolve more closely around the location of a hotel or restaurant. Place Search definitely heightens the importance of local results, but does not represent a complete usurpation of organic search.”

Via EPR Network
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