Matt Cutts from Google announces a new exact-match domain (EMD) algorithm change

Exact-Match Domains (EMDs) 

Matt Cutts, Google’s head of webspam broadcasted on Twitter that a new exact-match domain (EMD) algorithm change was implemented. The algo update is designed to help reduce the amount of low quality Exact Match Domains in Google's search results.

What is an Exact Match Domain (EMD)? 

An EMD contains a keyword term that matches the search query. Below are some sample EDMs:

• Personal Injury Law Firm = www.InjuryLawFirmInLosAngeles.com
• Wine Store = www.QualityWinesForLess.com  
• Designer Suits = www.Designer-Suits_For-Less.com
• Cheap Prom Dresses = www.CheapPromDresses.net

Most search engines gave a greater weight in ranking results to a domain name that associated with a keyword search term result. Some individuals seek to “trick” the search engines into listing a website on the 1st page or getting a higher ranking by having an Exact Match Domain. The update will affect 0.6% of English-US queries. 

The new Exact-Match Domain (EMD) algo update affects 0.6% of English-US queries to a noticeable degree. Unrelated to Panda/Penguin. — Matt Cutts (@mattcutts) September 28, 2012

Google Analytics and descriptors for Key Performance Indicators

What is Google Analytics and what factors should I be looking at for my website?

Click HERE to see details regarding Google Analytics and descriptors for Key Performance Indicators or KPIs.

Is your business or law firm listed in YELP?

Why should I create a listing in Yelp? 

Yelp has fast become a great digital directory used by thousands of consumers every day to find 5 star rated restaurants, quality retailers, local businesses, hotels, shopping malls, gas stations, and 5 star rated attorneys.

As an example, my wife and I used Yelp the other day to find a local Japanese restaurant. The first thing we did was read the reviews left by consumers. If the restaurant had a poor quality rating (3 stars or less stars), we went on to the next 4 star listing until we found one that had excellent reviews by past customers.


If your business or law firm is consumer based and provides services such as: Personal injury law, criminal defense law, family law, asset protection law, probate law, estate planning, etc. You should  take 5 minutes to create an account listing if you don't have one.

A listing in Yelp can help your law firm pick up new leads when people are searching for an attorney for your particular niche or practice area.

Secondly, past clients can post a review about you or your firm even if you don’t have an account listing in Yelp. Take a minute to visit www.Yelp.com and do a search for your firm or business to see if anyone has written something about you. If you have a Yelp listing and no reviews, ask satisfied clients to log in and rate you

Yelp Star Ratings

1 Star = Eek! MeThinksNot
2 Stars = Meh. I've Experienced Better
3 Stars = A-OK.
4 Stars = Yay! I'm a fan.

5 Stars = WooHoo! As good as it gets!

How can I create a Yelp Account?
To create a Yelp listing for your firm, is very easy. Simply click HERE to be redirected to the Yelp Sign Up page.  It's important to add a photo, firm details, and you may want to try offering a special incentive to help engage and compel consumers to act. If you are a law firm, remember to select "Professional Services (professional) in the Category List.

Does Google ignore "Punctuation and symbols in search?"

Lots of people are wanting to know if Google ignores punctuation and symbols like: - dash, + plus sign, $ sign, _Underscore, # Hashtag Number Sign, & Ampersand sign, etc. in a search result.  

Some symbols and punctuation marks may cause the search engines to produce poor results. Its important to minimize using symbols and punctuation on pages of content if you want better results for your website content. 

Click HERE to read about about punctuation and special characters in a Google search. 

Tips on how to market my firm on FaceBook

How can I get referrals and leads for my law firm on Facebook?

Social media has become a fast growing trend to advertise your firm and business at a minimal cost. Getting "Facebook Likes", or "Twitter Followers" is mouth to mouth advertising that is cost effective and believable by having personal endorsements from people that have used your  products or services. Social media marketing takes time and constant effort, however, it's easy to learn and cost effective if you want to market your law firm on Facebook or Twitter.

10 Sample Facebook Pages That Attract Fans

• Skittles
• Harley-Davidson
• Jones Soda
• Porsche
• Victoria's Secret
• The NFL 
• Estey & Bomberger, LLP
• The Gomez Firm 
• Amtec  
• Redbull

Invest 3-6 hours of your time and you will gain excellent knowledge on new ways of generating leads through Facebook and other social media that may result in new clients!   

Click HERE to read HubSpot's FREE ideas on how you can Master Facebook Marketing in 10 days.