Google Webmaster Central posted a blog entry yesterday informing the world at large of updates to Google Panda that pontentially impact all English-language Google users. As part of the alogrithim changes, the search engine incorporated new user feedback signals to help users achieve better search results.

According to the American Pet Products Association’s latest industry statistics, some 62% of American households own a pet. Pet owners spend countless dollars each year to pamper and protect their beloved pets doling out a staggering $43.2 billion in 2008. There’s food, vet care, grooming, boarding, toys, treats and… airline tickets?

With the recent spate of search engine announcements last week, you might have missed the headlines that popped up around the web on May 13th. “Clouds Gather Over Google with Hulbee Launch” was repeated on a variety of websites to announce the official launch of Hulbee.com.

Is your business finding fresh ways to reach your customers during this economic recession? Businesses who are trying to do things the way they always have may be missing out on the opportunity to attract new customers in our changing economy. Now is the time for creative entrepreneurs to rise up who can find new ways to market their business and implement effective strategies to target consumers.

This week, my colleagues Aubrae and Katie are exchanging valuable information with other leaders in the search engine marketing/ search engine optimization fields at SES London (Search Engine Strategies Conference). I am in the 10Best Solutions Greenville office eagerly reading articles, presentations, listening to interviews on YouTube etc.

With the current hype for companies to get involved on social media sites like facebook, twitter, flickr and other interactive websites, traditional methods of connecting with customers can become overlooked. Studies show that e-newsletters and emails are cost-effective marketing tools. Reaching customers through their email inbox is coming back 'in-style,’ so to speak. According to Business Week, e-newsletters are going to be a bigger focus this year.

I recently watched a webinar hosted by Marc Gobe, an expert in consumer trends/brand strategy. He emphasized both the importance of emotion in marketing and how emotion effects our brands. The world is an inherently emotional place; in our marketing, we need to look at how emotions affect consumer mindset and why. Gobe points to fear and hope as the strongest emotions that influence consumption. The way in which we allow either of these two emotions to dominate our marketing strategy determines our future and the future of our brands.

In this economic environment, tempting as the success stories from different SEO companies may be, outsourcing your website optimization to an SEO agency simply may not be an option. Let me be clear that unless you have done extensive research on the subject, garnering similar results with your own in-house efforts can be a challenge. Furthermore, professional SEO services are comparatively cheaper than traditional marketing efforts and significantly more effective. So even when money is tight, an investment in professional SEO services is money well spent.

At the Travel Technology Show, Eric also attended a talk on PPC and the travel industry. Neil McCarthy of the Latitude Group explains that PPC is an integral part of building a successful SES campaign.

Hotels strive to offer the best, to exceed in their niche. What, then, is the best? Depending on the targeted clientele and brand identity, the best can be anything from a heated indoor pool to triple sheeted beds. A family friendly property may offer discounts for children, free meals, special promotions with local amusement parks and free cookies. Boutique hotels provide personalized, even quirky accommodations. Looking to lodge in a tree or curl up under the Australian desert? There’s a hotel for you.