The Last Post : Sundown at CommonSense

Sunset - Photo: AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

CommonSense With Markk -- my very first blog launched in early 2006 -- has gone past its sell-by date. The time has come to send it to pasture. This is it, folks! Finito.

I hate to do it but I'm not going to feel nostalgic or sentimental about it after almost two and a half years of blogging on this site which, at one time, was going places. But since the Google PageRank slapfest late last year, things have not been the same like the "good old days."

I felt great with CommonSense when the going was good. It rose to PR3 in about four months after its launch and at one stage it attained PR5 before Goog started the slapfest. As is commonly known, writing paid posts has its downside - and that had incurred the wrath of Big G.

I'm taking this action now because the Google jive has started again and I'm not expecting Big G to show a benign smile on this blog. I've seen the little green thingy fluctuating in the last couple of days. Don't know when it will settle down but now I'm packing up here, don't care much for PageRank now where this blog is concerned.

Although I tried to plod on I found the task too tiresome and it was like a millstone hung around my neck. I soon realized that you can't be running two personal blogs -- the other being The Next Post -- at the same time. As it is, it's already tough for some bloggers to churn out post after post and making sure the stuff you write are not crap or fluff.

There's a lot of disadvantages in having a name like CommonSense With Markk. It's too personal and there's not much you can do to broaden its scope. I don't know what you all think but that's what I have learned through three years of running a couple of websites and a number of other blogs. I supposed if you treat blogging as just a hobby then it's fine to stay with it and continue posting at your own pleasure.

If I had wanted CommonSense to continue, I could, but reality check tells me I have to devote more attention to those other sites of mine. They are going to take up a lot of my time in the days ahead.

From here on, you can read future postings of mine at TheNextPost.

I have taken CommonSense With Markk off of the MyBlogLog site. I would like to thank all those kind bloggers whom I had crossed paths in our blogging journey for visiting this blog, especially those who had entered into some kind of communication with me and came back often to leave appreciated comments in my posts. If you happened to read this and has a blogroll link or any other in-post links to this site, please take the necessary action to avoid broken links.

Also, I have terminated my web hosting account for CommonSenseWithMarkk.com and have switched my URL back to Blogspot where this site will be left to dry under the blogging sun! I'll be doing some "house-cleaning" for a while (don't know how long it will take) and then if the weather is right, I just might press the self-destruct button for this site. Kaboom! Meanwhile, enjoy.

Adieu.

Blogging Year-Ender: The Top 10 Happenings

Around this time most newspapers will be preparing their end of year reviews of the major events that took place around the world during the year. They call it the "yearender" which is usually a special pullout section recollecting those news events.

Similarly, a retrospective view of some of the "major events" that took place on the wired world of the Internet will help to jolt memories (good and bad).

The year 2007, up till now as I write, is not without its fair share of controversial issues and other shenanigans on the Net. It has been a year of corporate takeovers of Internet ventures, an awakening of blogging savvy among the newer comers, and the proliferation of bloggers with a keen eye on making money online.

That's my view of it and I'm sure other commentators will have their own takes on the happenings on the Net during the year.

When I started blogging back in mid-2006, the only controversial issue I knew then was about those bloggers who are "political activists" playing on the minds of their readers about good governance, corporate transparency, freedom of speech and so forth.

The blogging experience widens its scope as I read up on other English-language blogs from all over, and soon came the realisation that there are countless, diverse opinions about blogging and its objectives.

"To each his own" is probably the best way to describe the blogging experience.

So, here's a list of some of the events and developments that have sparked off heated debates and conversational sideshows, and also created a blogospheric impact on bloggers in one way or another:

1. The Google PageRank Slapfest












This was the blogospheric tsunami that swept away the pageranks of hundreds, if not thousands of sites that were supposed to have paid links with DoFollows and other "taboos" not favoured by the "Do No Evil" empire of Google. The Google slapfest was one of the most talked about topics.

2. The Rise of Social Networks








Photo Credit: luc legay

Social networking sites have increased in numbers and are considered the "in" thing for bloggers. Many see it as a great way to drive traffic. To be seen and heard within a community has become a trend that will continue into the new year.

3. The Blog Re-Design Fetish











Photo Credit: .renato querra.

New-look, new lease of life for some "fading" blogs. When A-list bloggers re-designed, the rest followed. For better or for worse, pay a visit to those sites that underwent a redesign of their blogs and see for yourself.

4. The Over-Hype of BlogRush








A syndication network widget that rushed in and created one of the biggest Internet hypes of the year and it could well end with a whimper.

5. The Proliferation of Money Blogging "Gurus"

There's a surge of blogging newbies and wannabes coming on stage, and in no time, they are preaching and teaching other bloggers how to make money online. To these "dime-a-dozen gurus", welcome to the Blogosphere! May the truth triumph in the end.

6. The Mystery of CashQuests












A blog riddle that has caught the imagination of most bloggers. Who is the actual individual behind this popular make-money-online blog that was eventually sold for $15k? And where is Kumiko now?

7. Blog Memes & Link Love Buzz












Photo Credit: Randy Son of Robert

It was a big buzz in the first half of the year when almost every "Tom, Dick and Harry" blog was jumping on this bandwagon. Linky love was the name of the game. Do you still have your linky love list on your blog? Just don't let Google see it.
8. The Guest Blogging Mania


Photo Credit: Hyla

Somebody got this bright idea to invite guest bloggers to write on his blog. In no time, the idea took off and became a craze. It's all about getting backlinks and free publicity. Guest blogging wannabes were not in short supply. The host blogger sits back and enjoy some quality time. Please pass the bubbly!

9. Parody & Comedy: JohnCow.com









This upstart cow rides on the fame of Big Beef (aka JohnChow.com) and successfully mooed its way to celebrity status. The herd really poured on the milk. Give it to the guy with great cowsense.


10. The Mike Arrington Tirade Against Paid Posts
















Photo Credit: molleyeh11

This guy from TechCrunch has got something against paid posts and PayPerPost posties. Whenever he gets the chance to shoot off his mouth, he gets a fusillade of the same in return. You know what I mean.

Note to newbies and noobs: If you're still wet behind the ears and can't tell a splog from a blog, then I would suggest you visit more sites especially the good ones and do some reading to widen your blogging experience.
Disclaimer: If I had missed out some other great blogging happenings of the year, I was probably not there to witness them and, therefore, not in a position to describe them. Maybe I'll make it a point to be at the right spot at the right time next year.

Of related interests:
Is This Herd Mentality Or Judgmental Decision?
Zen And Blogging: Are They Aligned?The "Do No Evil" Empire Strikes Back
BlogRush Making Waves On The InternetRumblings About Guest Blogging
It's The Year Of Blog Re-Design
Link Popularity: How, Why, & What To Do About It
There's A Lot Of Cow Sense At JohnCow.comMad Cow Disease - A John Cow Sequel
Social Networking: Tailing The Long Tail
How To Succeed Online? Have The Right Focus
Sayonara CashQuests! Sold For $15,000

Will RealRank Turn Out To Be A White Knight?

Have no fear, RealRank is here. If your blog has been one of the "victims" that got cut down to size by the recent Google slapfest, maybe this new metric from Izea, the parent company of PayPerPost, will bring new hope.

So what is Izea RealRank?

Izea believe they have a solution (RealRank) to gather "Real" traffic information and rank sites based on their standing within the network.

Here's their "relatively simple" formula that will provide bloggers and advertisers a measuring yardstick:

• 70% weighted towards visitors per day
  
  
• 20% weighted towards amount of ACTIVE inbound links per day
  
  
• 10% weighted towards pageviews per day
  

It appears like RealRank is going to be a traffic-centric measuring system. Of course, we are always looking for a better mousetrap, but is there something missing from this idea to gauge the standing of a website or blog?

Traffic is an important factor - you bet, it is.

As an advertiser, you would be asking if a traffic of 5,000 daily visitors who glide in and out hardly noticing anything on a site, would it be worth placing an ad there?

Or is it better to advertise at a site with 500 unque readers per day who would notice your ad and read your content? Lars-Christian puts forth this thought regarding the traffic issue in his post RealRank -- A Stillborn Idea From Izea.

If "500 unique readers" is a better proposition, then obviously that particular site must have "quality content" to boot in order to attract these kind of visitors. They will have some kind of affinity with the site and are likely to be repeat visitors. That's where we come back to PageRank and understand that "authority" status is as much a consideration in the measurement of ranking.

Moreover, there is always the question of "traffic buying" that could turn this whole thing into a farce and puts us back to square one.

Following the Google pagerank slapfest that has antagonized a great number of webmasters, Izea RealRank may look like a white knight riding to the rescue to some people at least - but I'd rather have some reservation about it. It is expected to be released within two weeks, then we'll see how it works out. Don't bet too much on it.


Of related interests:
Are You One of 85,000 PayPerPost Bloggers?
The "Do No Evil" Empire Strikes Back

The 'Do No Evil' Empire Strikes Back

The Adland Digest keeps coming to me via email because I subscribe to it as a member of Adlandpro.com. Now and then I'll come across some hard-hitting articles written by special guest writers in their newsletters. They provide a good read and most times are thought-provoking.

These are free articles that can be used so long you acknowledge and credit the authors with a resource box at the end of each article. The Adland Digest has been one of the most effective newsletters on the Web since 1998. They provide useful information about Internet business and other related subjects.

The recent Google PageRank slapfest of big and small blogs had set the blogosphere alight with plenty of rants and some raves. But this article by Dean Philips might will be "a wake-up call" for many of us. It makes for interesting reading. I'll take a break and let Dean gives you the lowdown. Enjoy...

Google Zombies Need To Wake Up

By Dean Philips

Over the last couple of weeks, I've received more e-mails in response to my article, "Google's Trap, DMOZ's Nap, And Yahoo!'s Crap," than any other article I've ever written. And that's saying a lot because, I've written close to forty articles.

Most of the e-mails are very supportive and appreciate of the fact that I'm going after Google and the other large search engines, by telling it like it is.

Now even though I appreciate your e-mails and support, I need to make one thing perfectly clear. For the record, I AM NOT GOING AFTER GOOGLE!

Is Google a greedy, self-serving entity? Yes! Yes, they are. But lots of entities are greedy and self-serving. For that matter, so are a lot of people. The fact of the matter is, I happen to like certain things about Google. I think they're a fine search engine, and they perform a very valuable and much needed service.

No, my articles are not directed at Google per se. My articles are directed at the tens of thousands of Google zombies who blindly follow and applaud Google's every move and whim, like rats following the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

This also includes a good portion of the media, which also seems to be caught up in the bright lights of Google--not unlike a deer frozen by the headlights of an oncoming car.

Zombies, wake up! Google is a search engine--period! Nothing more, nothing less. And I will not exaggerate their existence or importance!

They are not a god or some sort of deity. They are a search engine--that's all.

And even though I've already said it in several different articles, I'm going to say it again. All of that money you're spending on search engine optimization, so that you can play in Google's sandbox is going to be all for naught.

Because other websites that haven't done any search engine optimization whatsoever are already starting to rank ahead of you in Google's results pages.

Yet, you keep spending your money, and beating your brains out trying to figure out Google's algorithms. And just when you think you've got it figured out, Google decides to take its ball and go home. Zombies, wake up! You're playing a game you can't win!

Didn't November 16, 2003 teach you anything? It's never wise to put all of your eggs into one search engine basket. I mean, forget about the "Florida Update." What if by some strange chance, Google goes offline for a day--for a week?

Think it can't happen? Think again. Nobody thought last summers crippling east coast blackout could ever happen either, but it did happen, and it turned out to be the biggest blackout in recent U.S. history.

Nothing and no one is infallible. So, zombies, wake up and do yourself a favor. Do the smart thing, and develop other ways to promote your website.

About The Author: Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions? Comments? Dean can be reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net. Visit his website at: http://www.lets-make-money.net

Of related interests:
Wow! It's one Google PR rollercoaster ride
PageRank: 'Massacre' of the blogs

*The views and opinions expressed or implied, and the information presented in CommonSense With Markk are those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of CommonSense With Markk and/or its associates.*

Google Dance: Is Your Blog Jiving Now?

Much as we would like to get a life instead of being a blogging junkie, most of us bloggers just can't get over this Google Dance thing. Some are just getting freaked out as they wait and wait...to know their fate. Website directories are feeling the heat, too.

According to a WebProNews Insider Reports, as many as 60 directories have suddenly dropped in rank. Could this be algorithmic flux or selective penalties?

It seems nobody is talking at the moment as paid link directories started going south in Google search results. Could this be a sign of an impending Google slapfest on so-called "errant sites"?

Since late July up till today, there have been a number of false sightings that this crazy Google dance was about to go on stage. But to the disappointment of those dying to see how their blogs would fare in the PageRank, it must have been a frustrating wait - a rather long one this time around.

Some bloggers have reported noticing erratic movements on the green PageRank toolbar but that must be an illusion or their imagination must be running wild. The advice: Don't get paranoid and uppity about it all. Looks like the little green thingy is in hibernation.

Are we seeing something new on the horizon?

Perhaps, as some blogging pundits are suggesting, the PageRank updates may no longer take place. Maybe it's because Google are cooking up something else instead of looking at links to evaluate your page rank. Before we proceed further, for the benefits of newbies, here's a brief take from Bill Platt's article "The Roller Coaster of Link Popularity" about why blogs do links...

Links are the roadways that keep Internet users moving from one website to another. Before the search engines became the all-powerful providers of Internet traffic, the role of Internet promotion was to establish links on pages where a website's target audience is already going. The goal, of course, is to get the person reading the page to click the link to the target website. With every visitor to a website being a potential customer, it makes good sense to get as many visitors to the website as possible, and that requires getting as many links as possible pointing to a website."
Are you still making dollar and sense out of blogging?

Obviously, if you're a webmaster you need to take actions to boost your incoming links in order to move up in the SERPs especially Google PageRank. Now is the time to reflect on what you have been doing as far as link-traffic building is concerned in the past three or four months. And also ask the following questions:

• Are you still into meme projects to gain more links?
  
• Are you still doing that Alexa redirect train scheme?
  
• Are you still planning to run more linkbait contests?
  
• Are you still handing out various types of blogging awards for obvious reasons?
  
• Are you still buying or selling links?
  
• Are you still charging people to make comments on your blog?

One cannot deny that, for most bloggers, the major drive factor is making dollar and sense out of blogging. It's the number one reason. Numero Uno. Period. That's why we have top 100 lists of money-making blogs to whet the appetite of bloggers who are just getting into the act or still struggling to do so.

The evolution of blogging

I don't see this trend changing because blogging is evolving, and with that comes more sophisticated methods and ideas to make more money and more converts to the blogging world.
Bloggers are becoming multi-platform users and, therefore, their online presence will become even more dispersed with social media playing a prominent role in this changing blogging landscape.

Back to the linking issue, Jason Lee Miller at WebProNews wrote an interesting but foreboding article about the impending death of link authority. He's saying that, according to Edelman's Steve Rubel, link authority was good while it lasted, but now "there are so many places where people can publish and connect with peers."

Jason, who has covered the Internet scene expansively, also mentioned a Social Media Index article by David Brain, president and CEO of Edelman Europe, who is working on a formula for this social index which we may see embraced by Google and other search engines in the future.

If these are any indications of the future, will we be seeing the death of link authority? I'm not qualified to give an answer, but I would like to ask another question:

Are we bound by links from here to eternity?


Of related interests:
Link popularity: How, why and what to do about it?
Social networking: Tailing the Long Tail
The hots on linkbaiting
Why this PR is doing the shadow dance
Is Google PageRank still a valid marketing tool?

It Takes Two To Tango...

...But when it comes to linking, two is just not on. If you have been reading up on linking, you need to be like Oliver Twist: Ask for more. Try to get more. Reach out for more...

Yes, the more the merrier and I've noticed that this linking craze has reached a "ludicrous level" where some bloggers are just sort of like ready to give an arm or a leg to get on the bandwagon. In other words, they are dying to see that green thingy appearing on their Google Page Rank.

It's fascinating that sometimes the hunger for links can cloud a blogger's rationale or judgment on whether he or she is doing something that is considered the right etiquette or not.

Take for example, this recent "LinkRoll" fad that spreads from one blog to another and thus creating a "chain letter" kind of reaction that continues to grow. You can see this on a number of blogs as the owners proudly show the list in their posts.

Would you join this "chain letter" group so that you can game the Google PageRank system? Is this another form of "social networking" -- like you scratch my back and I scratch yours? Or is it more akin to a "link farm"?

Is it Google's fault because they are now stressing on the importance of inbound links? They think this approach will benefit the quality websites. But what is a quality website? To Google, to you and to me?

It's always different folks, different strokes when it comes to meat and potatoes. Has Google ever considered whether this "LinkRoll" method an organic behaviour of blogs? White hat technique or black hat?

Everyone knows that to get good search rankings in Google, there must be links pointing to your website from other websites. Of course, webmasters can cook up different methods to build links. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.
If Google's intention is to create an ideal "democratic" world of search, it's not happening. The "best links are earned and given by choice" rhetoric doesn't ring true. Everything is only abstract. Does Google know and understand the heart of a blogger? No, unless the blog's owner spells out his/her intent clearly.

Surely, there must be a better way than what we are experiencing now.