SEO Expert, Rand Fishkin, Speaks on the Present and Future of Web 2.0 and User Generated Content
EMarketing Talk Show interviews Rand Fishkin on the future of web 2.0 and how user-generated content is shaping the internet into a more powerful tool for both users as well as search engine marketers.
(PRWEB) October 13, 2006 -- Speaking with Brooke Schumacher and Cindy Turrietta of the eMarketing Talk Show, Rand Fishkin, CEO of http://www.seomoz.org and SEO wizard described Web 2.0 as “the new phenomenon that you can’t ignore.” Fishkin explained that Web 2.0 is more than just community and collaboration. Rather, Web 2.0 is made up of “services, features, and technologies that are emerging on the web.” It is the next generation of web technology and social approaches.
Fishkin added that user-generated content is an important attribute of Web 2.0. He defined user-generated content as “content created by users for users.” Fishkin referenced newspaper editorials, Craigslist, epinions, bulletin boards, and user ratings as earlier forms of user-generated content.
He said, “User Generated Content is not new to the Internet, but users are developing new voices that are driving the direction of commerce and socializing on the Internet.” Fishkin pointed to YouTube.com and MySpace.com, Technorati.com and Squidoo.com as new players that are making an impact on the web. He also mentioned cheap blogging software as a contributing factor to the new online publishing revolution.
Where did this culture of community-driven, user-generated content come from? Fishkin contended there’s a fundamental psychological need for recognition, to be part of something bigger than oneself, to be a star. He asserted that this power of social media marketing can be utilized to help a business’s bottom line.
It all goes back to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Fishkin explained that blogs could receive good ranking by harnessing the strength of its contributors to reach out to the entire Web. He said, “When you engage user participation in the right way and can build a good user base, you know that you’re going to do relatively well in search engines because a) you’re building content that your competitors would have to build with an editorial team b) you have people contributing for free c) all those users are going to be linking to the content they create from their sites.”
Essentially, all the comments a blog receives will add to its SEO. This is comparable to tooting your own horn or having your own soap box. However, the difference is that the size of your audience is continually shifting. It can get exponentially larger by a click of a mouse.
Fishkin also referenced AJAX as the technology that is marked by Web 2.0 companies. AJAX improves the user’s experience by allowing users to complete several tasks that originally require refreshing the web page. The result is less loading time and more responsive and intuitive interfaces.
When asked about the future, Fishkin like his contemporaries predicted that Web 3.0 will be mobile. He also forecasted another up and down cycle of the internet, where there will be an over commitment of capital from venture capital firms and also a big exit, similar to the 90’s, but not quite as catastrophic.
Fishkin concluded by talking about the new approaches taken by Del.icio.us and Stumbleupon.com. These sites harness the power of users to deliver personalized searches. Often internet marketers use this social media to help build their link popularity and assist them in their SEO efforts.
Rand Fishkin is one of the founders of Web 2.0 Awards (Seomoz.org/web2.0). Look for him in November at Webmaster World’s PubCon Conference in Las Vegas or at the next SES (Search Engine Strategies) Conference. Perhaps you will recognize him by his trademark yellow Puma sneakers.
This interview was provided by eMarketing Talk Show. Listen to the interview or podcast at http://www.emarketingtalkshow.com/communities/user-generated-content.asp to learn more. Their weekly interviews bring you high-profile guests and educational topics in all areas of search engine marketing that will help marketing professionals and webmasters make intelligent decisions. Learn to "do it yourself" and uncover the resources needed for a successful online marketing campaigns.
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