Over the weekend, I receive a few questions about naming convention that will help improve SEO. Although correct naming doesn’t have too much of an impact in SEO, it does help in certain situation when the crawler needs to infer the content of your page.
Some tips and tricks:
- If you are using space, delimit it by using a – instead of a _; to a crawler,
this_is_a_page means “thisisapage” while this-is-a-page means “this is a page”
so whenever a crawler wants to match a keyword, you will want to have zune-music-player instead of zune_music_player
It is also advisable to give meaningful names to your pages or pictures, 12312inwf23.jpg doesn’t help tell what the picture is to a crawler but zune.jpg does help a lot.
That same advice applies to all other files that you want the crawler to crawl to (e.g. .mp3, .jpg,. html, etc)
In order for the crawler to know which page to crawl, the crawler will try to infer the site structure either using sitemap or simply crawling the links on the main page. You can generate a sitemap XML based on specification located at http://www.sitemaps.org/ from http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/
A short introduction of sitemap: (abstracted from http://www.sitemaps.org/)
What are Sitemaps?
Sitemaps are an easy way for webmasters to inform search engines about pages on their sites that are available for crawling. In its simplest form, a Sitemap is an XML file that lists URLs for a site along with additional metadata about each URL (when it was last updated, how often it usually changes, and how important it is, relative to other URLs in the site) so that search engines can more intelligently crawl the site.
Web crawlers usually discover pages from links within the site and from other sites. Sitemaps supplement this data to allow crawlers that support Sitemaps to pick up all URLs in the Sitemap and learn about those URLs using the associated metadata. Using the Sitemap protocol does not guarantee that web pages are included in search engines, but provides hints for web crawlers to do a better job of crawling your site.
http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/ is a site with a free tool to generate the sitemap.xml.
After generating the sitemap.xml document, you will need to inform the crawler of this change: (abstracted from http://www.sitemaps.org/)
Informing search engine crawlers
Once you have created the Sitemap file and placed it on your webserver, you need to inform the search engines that support this protocol of its location. You can do this by:
The search engines can then retrieve your Sitemap and make the URLs available to their crawlers.
Submitting your Sitemap via the search engine's submission interface
To submit your Sitemap directly to a search engine, which will enable you to receive status information and any processing errors, refer to each search engine's documentation.
Specifying the Sitemap location in your robots.txt file
You can specify the location of the Sitemap using a robots.txt file. To do this, simply add the following line:
Sitemap: <sitemap_location>
The <sitemap_location> should be the complete URL to the Sitemap, such as: http://www.example.com/sitemap.xml
This directive is independent of the user-agent line, so it doesn't matter where you place it in your file. If you have a Sitemap index file, you can include the location of just that file. You don't need to list each individual Sitemap listed in the index file.
You can specify more than one Sitemap file per robots.txt file.
Sitemap: <sitemap1_location>
Sitemap: <sitemap2_location>
Submitting your Sitemap via an HTTP request
To submit your Sitemap using an HTTP request (replace <searchengine_URL> with the URL provided by the search engine), issue your request to the following URL:
<searchengine_URL>/ping?sitemap=sitemap_url
For example, if your Sitemap is located at http://www.example.com/sitemap.gz, your URL will become:
<searchengine_URL>/ping?sitemap=http://www.example.com/sitemap.gz
URL encode everything after the /ping?sitemap=:
<searchengine_URL>/ping?sitemap=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yoursite.com%2Fsitemap.gz
You can issue the HTTP request using wget, curl, or another mechanism of your choosing. A successful request will return an HTTP 200 response code; if you receive a different response, you should resubmit your request. The HTTP 200 response code only indicates that the search engine has received your Sitemap, not that the Sitemap itself or the URLs contained in it were valid. An easy way to do this is to set up an automated job to generate and submit Sitemaps on a regular basis.
Note: If you are providing a Sitemap index file, you only need to issue one HTTP request that includes the location of the Sitemap index file; you do not need to issue individual requests for each Sitemap listed in the index.
Hi everyone! My name is Yizhe and I’m taking care of SEO related activities in the MSN family for SEA. I’m very passionate in technology – coming from a developer background and live search is my latest love. My primary job scope is to produce SEO best practices and to help web companies make their website friendlier to search crawlers. I love hearing from you so if you are interested to know more, drop me an email and I’ll get back to you. You can reach me at v-yishenTAKEOUTATmicrosoft.com
Have you seen Photosynth from Microsoft Live Labs? Super cool. Honey made a quick “synth” of the Online Services Group – Southeast Asia office area.
Check out other cool photosynths (and even create YOUR OWN) here… http://photosynth.net/default.aspx
Drum roll please....
After many months of hard work, we would to introduce the people of Southeast Asia to our "WhereAmI" project (http://locationpinpoint.com). The goal of the project is to help facilitate location based services through FREE location-ing information. Think of it as a GPS device that works off of WiFi and/or cell tower data and doesn't need to be outdoors.
I won't go into too much technical details but essentially:
- Input = WiFi access points you hear around you AND/OR the cell towers you hear around you
- Output = an estimated longitude and latitude of where we think you are
Doesn't sound like much but this is currently the key "missing link" to build much cooler (and useful) services to service scenarios such as:
- Are my friends around me? If so, I'll give them a shout.
- I lost my phone but my phone will tell me where I left it.
- I want to find all the top rated restaurants around me but I'm not exactly sure where I am (or I don't know my exact address).
- I want to go home, which is the next bus that can take me there and where is the bus stop.
There are services like this here and there but they are all commercially executed (fees). We intended to provide this service to the people of Southeast Asia (SEA) FOR FREE!
Built by the people of Southeast Asia... for use by the people of Southeast Asia.
No, this service isn't a Microsoft offering but rather... something fun that we built on the weekends BY MANY OF YOU in the community (we have a few uni and poly students, a Singapore scholar and a few people at Microsoft).
The project has a few pieces:
- WhereAmI Service (the service you would use to query your location)
- Infrastructure (the gooey-goodness in the middle)
- Survey (the tools we use to survey the information which gets sent back to you when you use the service)
Here's a quick 2 min video on how it works and how it all comes together.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=85238949-6807-47a9-b66b-c78427d41eb6
We're in the middle of an update from our test servers to something more robust to handle the public's load. Will put an announcement when the service is up (in about a week).
Coverage is currently Singapore but we're keen to grow the service. If you're in SEA and interested in offering this service to your region for free, we'll provide all the tools, equipment and infrastructure... all we need you to do is to help with the survey. Feel free to drop me a note. :)
More exciting stuff to share shortly. I'll also introduce the people who's hard-work is making this all possible.
Chewy (chewyc at microsoft dot com)
Head of Search - SEA
Are you an Olympics junky? WE ARE! So much so … we build a cool feature into Live Search to help you cheer on your country or sport. No need to surf the links, just get instant answers with the medals tally classified by countries/sports.
Give it a try, it's quite fun:
Who's won swimming medals? Search "swimming medals"
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=swimming+medals
What medals have Thailand won? Search "Thailand medals"
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=medals+for+thailand
How many medals have China won for shooting? Search "shooting medals for China"
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=shooting+medals+for+china
Can’t forget our home-grown medalists!
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=table+tennis+medals
Honey (i-homit at microsoft dot com)
Search Intern
Hello southeast Asia! My name is Honey Mittal and I’m the new Search Intern. I work with Chewy Chong (the Search Guy) helping him manage a bunch of his exciting new projects. I am an undergraduate Computer Engineering Yr 4 Student from National University of Singapore and I will be working here untill Christmas. There’s a bunch of cool gems in our Search and Maps … and I hope to share them with you throughout my term here. Any questions/feedbacks, just shoot me an email.
Honey (i-homit at microsoft dot com)
Search Intern - SEA&referrer=)
First off, apologies for my readers in Singapore as it has been a heck of a long time since I made a post. The past few months have been quite hectic. I've changed roles (no longer your Developer Evangelist for Singapore) and am now your Search Guy for Southeast Asia!
Search Guy... what is that? Good question, my goal is to help the people in our humble part of the world find and explore more on the web be this through our Search engine or our Maps. Give it a try...
Our Search - http://www.live.com
Our Maps - http://maps.live.com
I've been sitting on this post for quite some time as it was hard to convey to all of you what it is we're trying to do. Search and maps is only just one piece of something much bigger and focus is not at all on just one single dimension. So instead of trying to write out some long essay... this video perfectly illustrates the "YOUR digital life" theme all of us here are working towards.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:a8d98d01-7edf-4991-93b7-8554b9608b5a&showPlaylist=true&from=shared
Hmm... notice how Search and Maps are only a small piece of this whole "connected nirvana"? If you think about it... the focus should be on YOU and how our efforts can complement YOU and what you do everyday.
There's lots of work happening behind the scene to make this more and more a reality for Southeast Asia. Pretty much every piece of what you see in this video sits in or around my team here in Singapore. They are all super smart and full of ideas. I wake up everyday excited to go to work as I know there's much we can do to make all our lives more fun.
If you keen to know more about what we're up to or want to make a request... reach out and give me a shout. I'll be starting to ramp up my community presentations soon so you can always reach out then.
Chewy (chewyc at microsoft dot com)
Head of Search - SEA&referrer=)
Hello Singapore! My team (the Online Services Group for Microsoft Southeast Asia) is looking for a few interns to join us for the Summer and Fall period. If you're smart, organized and crazy passionate about the online world... I want to hear from you!
Who's the Online Services Group (OSG)? We're the people who brings you Messenger, SkyDrive, Spaces, MSN and best of all... Live Search! We are looking for people who are technical (who can code) or people who's business smart & very organized (project management).
Oh yeah, you need to know how to have fun!
If you're interested, contact your school for more details or drop me an email (my email address can be found in the video below).
I'll organize a trip to your school to give you a briefing of what we're doing. I'll also provide details of "the challenge" then.
(update) Thank you to everyone who applied. We've filled this role for this period but another should start back up in Jan.
Hello Singapore! We working on a number super cool community projects here on my team and we sure can use your help to make Southeast Asia's online experience even better. We put together our first "sChallenge" (not the best name... we're working on it) and here it is.
Challenge -
Write and document some snippet of code to:
- Build a list of WiFi access point around you
- Build a list of GSM cell towers around you
- Pass these lists to some sort of server (web service or http post).
This needs to be done for a few Windows Mobile and a few Nokia mobile devices.
Prize -
The first people to get us the code with comments wins this:
- XBOX 360 with 4 controller and HALO
- 32" Philips LCD TV
We'll send a camera crew by to video you presenting your code snippets to share with the people of Singapore and SEA.
This is just a quick summary and conditions apply. The winner and the winner's snippets will be posted here on this blog.
If you or your start-up is keen to join the challenge, drop me an email. My email address (and additional information about the challenge) is in the following video at the very end.
(UPDATE) Get a Free Copy of OneCare (Antivirus, Antispyware and Firewall) at the Feb MSDN TechTalk
We just received a large batch of Windows Live OneCare to give away as part of our "Stay Informed, Stay Secure" effort. Staying abreast of current happenings in the industry is one of the best ways to stay secure. The more you know, the smarter you become around security.
At the event, register for Microsoft's Security newsletter (or one of our other newsletters) and we give you a copy of OneCare (S$79.95) ... FREE.
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Another free MSDN TechTalk Day is just around the corner. Like all our previous TechTalks... we have it jam packed with ooie-gooie technology goodness.
We kick off the day with an hours plus of back to back demos ranging from the practical stuff to absolutely useless but oh-so-COOL stuff. For the remainder of the event, we have some of our brightest local experts here to talk to you about a topic they're passionate about.
Keep an eye on this post for more details.
MSDN TechTalk
27 Feb 2008
NTUC Auditorium Level 7
One Marina Boulevard
Come join us this 12th (Tues) February 2008 where Microsoft MVP Wei-Meng Lee will present two sessions on what is new in Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Mobile development.
Session 1 - What is new in Visual Studio 2008
If you have always wanted to learn the new features in Visual Studio 2008 but have yet to find the time, the first session will kick start you with:
* A quick introduction to Visual Studio 2008
* New languages features in Visual Basic 9.0 and C# 3.0
- Implicit Typing
- Automatic Properties
- Object Initializers
- Collection Initializers
- Anonymous Types
- Lambda Expressions
- LINQ
- Extension Methods
- Partial Methods
* What is Silverlight
Session 2 - Windows Mobile 6 Development
In the second session, Wei-Meng will demonstrate how to get started in Windows Mobile 6 development. You will learn about the differences between versions of Windows Mobile - Standard, Classic, and Professional. This session will show you:
* A quick introduction to the Windows Mobile 6 platform
* How to use the various tools in VS 2008 for Windows Mobile development:
- Cellular Emulator
- Windows Mobile Emulators
- ActiveSync
* Sample applications
In addition, Motorola (Symbol) will also provide some units of their flagship products - MC70 and MC35, for demonstration. If your company is currently evaluating Windows Mobile devices for enterprise deployment, this is a good chance for you to have hands-on experience with these devices.
Event Details
Cost: FREE
Date: 12th Feb 2008 (Tues)
Venue: Microsoft Singapore
1, Marina Boulevard,
One Marina Boulevard,
Singapore 018989
SINGAPORE
Time: 2 to 5pm
Note: If you would like to install VS 2008 on your notebook and follow along with the sessions, you can come early at 1pm. Wei-Meng will be around to help with the installations. You would need to bring along your notebook computer and as there will be limited power-points, you are suggested to fully charge your notebook before coming.
What you will get
* A free copy of CoDe magazine (while stocks last)
* A 90-day Evaluation Visual Studio 2008 DVD
* Some other goodies. ;-)
You also stand a chance to win a copy of Wei-Meng's latest book - Professional Windows Vista Gadgets Programming (Wrox)
What you need to do
To RSVP, send an email to Wei-Meng at weimenglee@learn2develop.net with the following details:
Subject: 12 Feb VS 2008
<Name>
<Company>
<Email>
Do you remember that old GI-Joe cartoon saying "knowing is half the battle"? When it comes to security, knowing what is going on goes a long way to being secured.
As such, if you're keen to stay informed to stay secure... might we recommend subscribing to a few newsletters. We send these out about once per month.
MSDN Flash - Singapore
https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSysProfileCenter/subscriptionwizard.aspx?wizid=49fcfefe-9cb4-45c9-924c-f0c67612b1c4&lcid=1033
TechNet Flash - Singapore
https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSysProfileCenter/subscriptionwizard.aspx?wizid=5952656c-5706-49af-8b16-5a14cd213a92&lcid=1033
Security Newsletter - Global
https://profile.microsoft.com/Regsysprofilecenter/subscriptionwizard.aspx?wizid=6e2dfc95-9fea-4e12-827e-c9d2135149b9&lcid=1033
Give it a try, you can always manage your newsletter subscriptions (find new ones or unsubscribe from existing ones) here.
Profile Center
https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSysProfileCenter/default.aspx?lcid=1033
Cobra Commander says... "Knowing is half the battle"
(actually, the good guys say that)
Wow! Considering I work at Microsoft, there are tons of things that happens here that I don't know about and I get WOW-ed by. Check this out on MSDN... we've got development and security experts making 20 min videos on developer security topics.
This week's featured video - How to add security to .NET apps by encrypting sensitive / confidential data by using the "ProtectedData" class of the System.Security.Cryptography namespace. The author said that at times... all he wants to do is to protect data and he feels this method is the quickest way to get it done.
These videos come in tons of formats including formats for your Ipod, WM device or PSP!
How Do I: Add Security to .Net Applications with the ProtectedData Class?
In this video Will DePalo demonstrates how to add security to .Net applications by encrypting sensitive or confidential data by using the ProtectedData class of the System.Security.Cryptography namespace.
Presented by Will DePalo on January 8, 2008
Length: 21 minutes 47 seconds
Video Downloads:
ZIP | WMV | iPod | MP4 | 3GP | Zune | PSP
Audio Downloads:
AAC | WMA | MP2 | MP3 | MP4
Download the code
Check out the whole video site here:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bb896640.aspx
Singapore SQL User Group is hosting a session with Tom Casey (he's the General Manager for the SQL Server Business Intelligence group over at Redmond) and you're invited! Here is the user group's invite.
SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence platform provides a scalable BI platform optimized for data integration, reporting, and analysis enabling organizations to deliver intelligence where users want it.
In this session, you will hear what makes SQL Server 2008 a BI platform of choice, and the three key aspects emerging from the BI platform:
· Integrate and Manage All Your Data
· Reach All Users with a Comprehensive Platform
· Deliver Actionable Insight to Every User
Tom Casey is a distinguished speaker and visiting Singapore. This is your unique opportunity to hear from the BI GURU directly.
· Distinguished Speaker: TOM CASEY
· Date : January 14th 2008 (MONDAY)
· Venue : Microsoft Singapore (21st FLOOR Auditorium). One Marina Boulevard.
· Time : 6.45 pm – 8.00 pm with 20 min break. Please arrive by 6.30 to allow time for registration. (Light Snacks will be served, REGISTER EARLY)
To register, please e-mail BEFORE January 10th 2008 at to sqlugsingapore@mvps.org with the following details:
Name :
Designation :
Company :
Tel No :
Email :
Tom's biography is below:
Tom Casey
General Manager, SQL Server Business Intelligence
Microsoft® SQL Server™
Microsoft Corporation
As a general manager within the SQL Server development team, Tom Casey is responsible for managing the overall strategy, design, development and delivery of SQL Server’s business intelligence technologies. The foundation of Microsoft’s end-to-end business intelligence solutions, SQL Server delivers an innovative business intelligence platform with integrated analytics including online analytical processing (OLAP); data mining; extract, transform, and load (ETL) tools; data warehousing; and enterprise reporting functionality. This comprehensive, integrated approach helps organizations worldwide seamlessly build and deploy robust business intelligence applications at all scales with low total cost of ownership.
Prior to his current position, Tom served in a similar role driving the development of Microsoft’s business process and integration products (BizTalk Server and Host Integration Server) and developing Microsoft’s overall workflow strategy. Tom joined Microsoft in 1996 and spent the first six years of his tenure delivering Microsoft’s database replication technologies and the mobile edition of SQL Server.
Before Microsoft, Tom worked as a database applications and systems developer at a few small startup companies. Tom has a business degree with emphasis in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona.