Published by: yuga under: AdSense.
posted:
January 31st, 2006
I didn’t notice that Google AdSense has quietly updated their AdSense Referral program with a 90 day limit. Usually, whenever Google updates or changes their program policy, you’d get a notice of it the next time you login to your AdSense account.
This is what you’ll see at the bottom of your AdSense referral code page.
An AdSense referral is counted when a publisher, who has never previously enrolled in AdSense, creates an account and earns at least $100.00 within 90 days of sign-up. The referred publisher must be eligible for payment to qualify as a successful referral.
AdSense publishers have been having a hard time converting their referrals without the 90 day limit, how much more if they put in a cap?
I have over a dozen AdSense referrals and a few Firefox referrals since this started and so far I have only seen on successful convertion. That’s a $0.10 revenue for a single Firefox+Google Toolbar download. *sheesh* Might as well remove those buttons.
Everton of Connected Internet sent me a $100 Amazon GC for winning his January blog competition. Thanks to Everton for the prize. Apaprently, I was the lucky 500th commenter on his blog. (and to think I only gave out a plogHost T-shirt to my 5,000th commenter. 
)
Ok, let me go shopping at Amazon.
It becoming some sort of a trend now among blogs to put up contests such as these to promote blogs, increase reader participation and link baiting. So there’s the hint — want more traffic? Put up a contest.
Take for example the $1,000 Link Bait competition at BizNicheMedia.
[tags]amazon gc, e-commerce, online shopping, wishlist, contest, raffle[/tags]
Apparently the same email that was sent to Migs & Gary also found its way to my Inbox. The letter is from Epixtar asking me to delete a comment from my blog (to be exact, from PTB).
I wrote about it on PinoyTechBlog : “Epixtar to PTB: delete that comment.”
Migs and Gary have since deleted the comment on their blogs.
Matter of fact is, I am not obliged to delete that comment. I did not post that comment and if they say that the information there is materially inaccurate, what’s the big fuss? Epixtar is just wasting their time trying to have those comments deleted all over the blogosphere. They should go after the one who posted the comments instead.
As I said, I am not obliged to delete that.
(Related entry: Epixtar threatens to sue blog for comments.)
ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, recently featured Filipino fashion blogger Bryanboy on their Talk Metro show last Saturday evening. (Since I didn’t watch the 20-minute interview, I really don’t know what transpired.)
Braynboy’s blog is at bryanboy.com (formerly typepad.bryanboy.com) and describes his online journal as an adventures of the new-moneyed classless bitch from hell. Vulgarity is the new discreet. Trash is the new exclusivity. Third world has never been this *burp* chic. His blog is currently #3 on my Pinoy Top Blogs (and to think he only signed up his blog late this January) and #9 on the Philippine Top 100 list.
You will have to visit and read his blog to really get to know what he blogs about. If the Singapore blogosphere has Xiaxue, then the Philippine blogosphere could very well have Bryanboy in that arena. What’s that IS a blog niche!
He’s actually having trouble keeping up with the bandwidth right now. Having been hosted with TypePad for for years, he’s now churning out 815 GB (that’s 815,000 MB) of bandwidth a month. Blogging fame can really cost you a lot.
Oh, and I thought ABS-CBN don’t think blogs are cool?
Gary publishes the email communication between him and a certain Jeff Myatt, an SVP for Client Service of Epixtar. I reported here a few days ago that Epixstar is hunting down blogs for some comments allegedly exposing salary information of the top executives of the company.
As I stated in my first communication, we have no interest in interfering with the exchange of ideas and opinions concerning our Company, positive or otherwise. Our only concern is your posting of the salary information.
As I previously informed you, the salary information posted on your website was misappropriated, and disseminated unlawfully. Such salary information is confidential and proprietary. And again, it is also materially inaccurate.
I will have no choice but to turn this matter over to our attorneys if the salary information is not deleted from your site within 24 hours. They will be instructed to take all appropriate legal action against you in this regard.
Again, if you want to discuss this, please contact me. I would prefer to resolve this in a friendly manner.
Respectfully,
Jeff Myatt
First, the particular salary information was not published by Gary himself but by a certain person who left a comment on his blog. Secondly, and I agree with Gary on this, Epixtar should go after the guy that made the comment and not make rounds on the internet threathening to sue bloggers if they don’t remove them.
While updating several of the blogs in my Top 100 Technorati list, I noticed some discrepancies between the actual sites linking into a blog and the ones being computed by Technorati. This flaw allows a certain blog to get padded results in their “sites linking in” stats.
So, how can this flaw be replicated?
This can basically be done by creating a blog from an Add-On Domain and using all possible URL permutations as a separate claimed blog at Technorati.
This means that if you have a primary domain called www.myblog.com and you create an Add-On domain (e.g. mynewblog.com), you can access the new blog in 3 different URLs:
- www.mynewblog.com – this is supposed to be the official blog URL for the Add-On domain.
- http://mynewblog.myblog.com – since an add-on domain is basically also a sub-domain, you can access the blog in this format (note that mynewblog is the subdomain’s name).
- www.myblog.com/mynewblog/ – since a sub-domain also creates a sub-folder inside your main website (where the new files will reside), you can access the add-on domain via this URL.
Now, if the blog owner of www.mynewblog.com creates a Technorati profile and claims his weblog using all 3 different URLs, you will end up with 3 separate Technorati accounts for just a single blog.
So what’s the catch? Whenever a link is created inside the mynewblog.com domain and points to any other blog, Technorati will index this and count it in its stats for the recipient of the link. However, since Technorati thinks all 3 blog URL permutations above are distinct and unique, it will count 3 sites linking in instead of just actually 1.
What if the blog links to itself? If the blog mynewblog.com links to himself on each and every new blog entry, the 2 other URLs (myblog.com/mynewblog/ and mynewblog.myblog.com) are actually also linking to it? Thus, the vicous cycle of virtually limitless sites linking in from just a single blog.
Now I could be wrong here but as an example of this glitch, you can visit the Technorati search results for this blog.
(Digg this story.)
A friend/client emailed me last night asking for a favor about getting interested applicants for a “Corporate Blogger” position.
This is a serious job that will involve blogging for the web media company which provides consultancy, design and development of websites, including blogs. The selected blogger will be regularly doing some research and blogging about the industry. I still don’t have the full details but initial info includes general interest in blogging, familiarity with WordPress as the preferred CMS client and good scholastic background or writing skills. I believe this is a remote job but you might be required to meet with the client for an interview. No details about the payment structure (fixed monthly or per post) but that can be negotiated.
If you are interested in this gig, email me or leave a comment here with your blog URL. I’ll keep everyone posted here once I get more details.
Published by: yuga under: SEO.
posted:
January 28th, 2006
I know it’s still very early in the contest but I’d still want to send shout-outs to all those who came to aid me in my quest for the “v7ndotcom elursrebmem blog4charity project“.
I am no SEO expert but I believe that those who linked to me gave me a good fighting chance to get to the top of the Google page.
Many thanks to Migs, Kates, Marc, Ganns and a couple of others who want to remain anonymous.
My blog is currently hovering in the range of #12 to #19 for the words v7ndotcom elursrebmem. It’s been consistently in the 2nd page of Google since last week. (In Yahoo, I’m at #75 but was fortunate enough to land at #9 with MSN, though these two don’t really count.)
It may not be much for others, but it’s already something for me be be ranked that high in the SERPS. Imagine if I get some more push, huh?
If you want to help me out, see details here.
[tags]linking, links, seo, contest[/tags]
Was out the whole Friday afternoon/evening as Marc and I visited The House on a Hill in Antipolo. I got my long overdue gift (a fruit cake!) and was able to taste party food from the recipe blog.
Thus, this will come in as a delayed Friday round-up…
- Some guy named John Rana texted me about their new advocacy site, YabangPinoy.com. “Yabang Pinoy” is a campaign to raise awareness and heighten Filipino people’s ethos, dignity and pride by advocating the use of a piece of braided abaca band that aims to make a statement. The abaca band aims to signify a Filipino being truly proud to be one. To John: can you send me a couple of those abaca wristbands? I like them.
- Kaye Inigo’s new personal blog is up. She’s one of our contributors at the Urban Living Blog. She’s also looking for a Web Designer/Developer for her company.
- A regular reader who wants to remain anonymous sent me a link to a couple of U.S. Marines KC-130 “Hercules” aircraft, each firing their flares with incredible visuals of the condensation due to the wingtip vortices. There’s a term for that whirlwind caused by the tip of the aircraft, just forgot what it’s called.
- Connie blogs about the “stolen” blog materials (of Happy Vergara and Retz) by the PCIJ. I already noticed this last October 2005 when I got the first copies of the “Hello Garci” book. Had Retz told me he had issues with PCIJ, I could have mediated and help resolve the issue as early as November (and without much ruckus).
- The deadline for the blog/domain sale is over and though there were several bids, they didn’t come close to expectations. The owner has now decided to retain the domain. Thanks to all those who emailed and inquired.
Rain is podcasting from China! He’s now on episode 3 but I have yet to listen to the entire thing. Rain must be really bored in China (are you able to access your GMail from there? Is filtering already in effect?)- Super-blogger mom An P is pregnant! You’ ll see her blogging for almost all up and coming blog networks out there.
- Jayvee has a cool concept for a t-shirt design – “Basta blogger, sweet lover!” Remember, you
heard read it from him first.
To those who are trying to reach me on my landline, it’s been down for two days. The DSL is working fine (but sometimes screwy), there’s a dial tone, but calls just doesn’t seem to get thru. You have any idea what’s wrong? (oh, there’s that abraded patch of telephone wire along the door hinges)
Published by: yuga under: Yahoo.
posted:
January 26th, 2006
Kevin Burton’s Feed Blog posts a rumor that Yahoo! will be acquiring the popular community news and social bookmarking site, Digg.com.
I’ve now heard from two sources close to Yahoo which tell me that Yahoo is going to be buying Digg for nearly $30M. I haven’t yet heard from anyone working for Yahoo that this is 100% (they obviously had ‘no comment’) but I’d be surprised if we didn’t hear an announcement by early next week.
Yahoo’s on a buying spree for anything cool and Web 2.0 (Del.icio.us, Konfabulator, Flickr). Kevin Rose says it’s just a rumor.
Getting $30 Million from an 18-month old experimental project is way cool.
Btw, I got 2 Newsvine invites (thanks to Jolo and Manuel). Anybody else wants one? Really nice interface and I heard they’re also doing profit sharing with bloggers.
If you think the title is too cheesy, check out Subnixus’ entry on Google: The Communist Search Engine.
While Google is fighting nail and tooth over privacy against the United States Department of Justice, it caved in to the fleeting request of the People’s Republic of China to censor search results. (The poor chinks won’t be able to use Blogger or GMail too.)
See related stories:
I’m sure Google has a very simple explanation to this.
Clicking a link to URLTrend from LiewCF brought me to a page that says:
You have been permanently banned from our site.
Reason: Too many fraudulent users from your region.
So what’s this URLTrends, anyway?
UrlTrends was developed by Joel Strellner to allow Webmasters, Search Engine Optimizers, and domain buyers to determine a websites (or a specific pages) rankings in the various search engines and directories. Based on this information you can make competitive analysis of any website with another website — and from this you could possibly determine whether your SEO tactics are positive or negative to your website; or, if you are a domain buyer, determine if a particular domain should be purchased.
Me? Banned? Looks like the entire South East Asia is banned as well. Actually, a lot of web hosting companies in the west are banning IPs from countries such as China, Vietnam and the rest of SEA because of “high risks” of fraudulent activities involving stolen credit cards. Who can blame them? GoDaddy.com did this to a couple of Philippine ISPs back in 2003.
Other more creative business/companies would actually ask for a scanned copy of your credit card along with a government-sanctioned ID.
Just a few minutes ago, I receive yet another email from Yahoo! inviting me in theor YPN beta program. This is the second email invitation already (the first one was a fluke). Since I’ve been reading a lot of news this week about YPN expanding their beta program outside of the US, I thought this is it.
Recently we extended an invitation to you to join the exclusive beta release of our new Yahoo! Publisher Network self-serve platform, which provides small- and medium-sized web publishers with easy access to Yahoo! advertising and content. We have not yet received your application, but we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to participate in the beta program.
Cool! Or so I thought. I immediately signed up only to to be disapppointed once again.
(Please note that during the beta period, Yahoo! is only able to serve or accept U.S.-based publishers with a valid Social Security or Tax ID number, and with web site content that is predominantly in English and targeted at a U.S. user base.)
Again??? Duh! So why keep sending me invitations?
Some guy from Sweden emailed us at PTB asking for Gadget Shopping Tips here in Manila.
I just realized that most of the gadgets and devices I have now were mostly bought from Electroworld/Abensons. The last 2 iPods that I got was on a 12-gives deal with Electroworld, Park Square 1. The Digital Canon Ixus 30 I bought March of 2005 was from Abensons, Waltermart (another 12 gives). My Nokia 3230 was bought at Electroworld in Megamall for 3 installments last August.
My old Palm Zire 71 what I switched for a badminton raquet and bag was also bought from Electroworld Park Square 1. The last 2 Logitech mouse that I have right now was from there as well. My JVC 5.1 component was bought from an Abensons’ sale in Cybermall, Libis. (Electroworld, Waltermart and Abensons are owned by just one family right?)
Geez… their Rewards Plus promo card has really hooked me up with them. What to do with those rewards points…. hmmm.
A couple of newbie bloggers or would-be bloggers often ask me how long does it take for a blog to be profitable. I often reply back with a qualified answer — it depends on a lot of things ranging from your ability to entice linkbacks to your blog, regularity and quantity of posts, organic traffic from search engines and regular visitors, blog niche, to how you optimize your blog for the ads.
Case in point, when I started PinoyTechBlog in July last year, we had 12 very talented bloggers churning out an average of 100 posts per month. At that rate, we were able to hit our initial target of $100/month in less than 4 months (that’s just for AdSense though and does not include other ad sales). Add to that the inherent benefits or referral traffic from all 12 personal blogs of our members pointing to PTB, which eventually earned us our PR5.
Taking all else equal, another blog of the same topic written by a single blogger posting one entry per day would take at least 12 months to get to the same volume of content in the hopes of getting the $100/month revenue rate.
The group blog experiment at PTB gave me a good insight in this aspect, among others. And it has been a great learning experience. I am hoping to duplicate the same success on the other group blogs as well.
I don’t know if I’m having a hard time handling too many emails, getting an pinch of Alzheimer’s , or just plain lazy. Over 5 dozen emails a day on 3 separate email accounts and I can’t seem to track them all. If a year ago, it was impossible for me to get a week’s vacation, now it’s too hard to even get off the net for just a day (ack, the backlogs!).
So here’s a tip to all, knock twice.
Yeah, my regular response time is somewhere in the vicinity of 12 hours for urgent matters, 24 hours for not so urgent and 48 hours for the occasional chit chats and solicitations for blog advise. That holds true if I had a good sleep the day before.
If after 2 days, you didn’t hear from me, shoot me another one. It could have gone straight to the spam box or I could have read your email but left it un-answered (then totally forgotten burried deep in my inbox).
Migs’ old blog entry about Epixtar’s demise last October drew some attention when one commenter posted a list of annual salaries of its top executives, purportedly leaked out by an insider or an agency.
This letter is to inform you of Epixtar’s failure to comply with the terms defined in the agreement between Epixtar Corporation and Kaye/Bassman International Corporation (KBIC) dated November 11, 2004. Please remit a total of $12,500.00 to KBIC by August 19, 2005. Epixtar’s failure to comply with this letter will result in KBIC pursuing collections through any required legal means.
Please send your payment in full to:
Kaye/Bassman International Corp.
Attn: Nick Turner
4965 Preston Park Blvd.
4th floor
Plano, TX 75093
Regretfully.
Nick Turner
C.O.O.
Epixtar has recently contacted Migs requesting for the removal of the comment which were obtained (the info) illegally and inaccurately. If it was obtained (illegally) from the source, why is it inaccurate then? Are they padding/shaving the salaries or something?
A copy of the same salary information has also been posted at Gary’s blog and at PTB.
BlogCharm will pay members by splitting all advertising inventory and sponsorships. The BlogExplosion team is the one running BlogCharm.
- On member blogs the top thinbar will contain text ads where members will share 50% of the inventory and revenues generated from them. This will be a mixture of paid ads where members get paid each time their blog is seen and not just when somebody clicks on an advertisement which works much differently than programs like AdSense. Each time your blog is seen you get paid.
- BlogCharm even goes further to make money for members where we split site sponsorship revenues 50/50 as well.
For example. If we sell a main page sponsorship for $500 per month members will split 50% of the total take.
- NOTE: BlogCharm members will still be able to add AdSense ads directly on their blogs and earn 100% of those revenues
They have this big charming question posted on the site: Why should blog hosts keep all of the revenue when it is the bloggers that do all of the hard work?
I have mine too — why should BlogCharm get 50% when you I get 100% at BlogSpot or Wordpress.com?
One thing comes to mind though, this could be a good alternative to those publishers who have been banned from AdSense.
Published by: yuga under: Events.
posted:
January 24th, 2006
A handful of bloggers have been asking me when will the next Blogging Summit (or BlogCon) be held here in the Philippines. “I actually don’t know”, is all I can say. I just attend them or do some speaking engagements but to the point of organizing one, not quite there yet.
Yes, it’s possible, and I may have the time and connections to organize one but… um… we’ll see.
Things to consider when contemplating of doing one — a core group (the more, the manier) to handle logistics and stuff, the agenda, the program, the target audience or attendees and of course, the budget.
I’ve been notified and invited to guest/speak on a couple of smaller but more focused blog conferences this year so let’s just wait and see if there’s another group/organization out there interested in doing it on a much larger scale.
Picture taken from last year’s iBlog Summit
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