Wordtracker launches free keyword suggestion tool

Wordtracker has launched a free keyword suggestion tool to help website owners and managers optimize their websites so that they appear higher in search engine results.

The free tool is available at http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com and gives webmasters up to 100 keywords a time.

Keyword research is an essential first step in any online marketing activity and the new tool from Wordtracker has been designed to allow webmasters to quickly, and easily, brainstorm initial keyword ideas. This handy reference tool is suitable for boosting organic search performance and getting a better return on investment (ROI) from pay-per-click campaigns(PPC).

“Keywords are simply the words people use when they search. Incorporate those words into your website copy and your position in search engines results will rise – often dramatically – and that means more sales online.” Mike Mindel, CTO and co founder of Wordtracker.

“There is a gap in the market for this type of tool and as Wordtracker provides the most popular paid-for keyword service on the web it made sense to create this service.” Mindel continued.

“Our strength has always been providing in-depth analysis that allows marketers to get to understand customer behaviour online. We’re confident that once people see the benefits of initial keyword research, they will realise that this is a profitable marketing resource that they simply can’t do without.” He added.

Google TV 'hoax' gets viewers clicking

A video purporting to show users how to become a tester for a forthcoming TV service to be launched by Google has split the web over claims it is a hoax.

A clip posted to YouTube by tech tutorial channel Infinite Solutions on Friday told viewers they could access high-quality US network TV shows as part of a private test by repeatedly logging in and out of Gmail. Cynical net stalwarts immediately mocked the suggestion that the search giant would employ such arcane beta test methods. But others countered with blog posts and video responses to claim they had indeed successfully found Google TV by following the instructions.

Tutorial host Mark Erickson has posted previous tongue-in-cheek instructional videos, one suggesting users can extend their WiFi range by wrapping their Ethernet cable around a mobile phone.

Many Google watchers have said the latest episode is a hoax because no DNS entry exists for the address given by Erickson, tv.google.com. It would also buck the trend of previous Google beta tests; Gmail was made available via invitation, for example.

If fake, the video would represent not just a grand hoax but a testing of the response to any future possible such launch from Google. It is also a lesson in viral communication for many marketers.

The clip was viewed more than 100,000 times over the weekend, causing thousands of people to log in and out of their email accounts, some hundreds of times, in a desperate attempt to access the service.