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  Rachaelle Lynn November 24, 2010 at 6:43am

  Fascinating discussion! I'm glad the topic generated interest. I did not know that Squidoo was a problem for web-enabled phones, but at this point in time, I don't think that's a viable reason to avoid using it for SEO. The site does have two major things in its favor:
  
  1. Google likes it.
  2. Ability to embed links in images.
  
  The first, of course, just can't be ignored, given that Google is 70-80% of the search engine market. There are still plenty of people doing searches on their computers. As the balance shifts and more people begin using their phones for searches, Squidoo may fall out of favor with Google. However, that's not the case right now.
  
  The second item speaks to Squidoo's versatility in the world of article-writing and content production. If you've spent much time on that, you know that learning the ins and outs of article submission sites can be frustrating. Squidoo offers something other sites don't, and I value it for that reason. Having said that, Squidoo's capabilities by no means make it "the" SEO site - because there isn't one. Good SEO techniques require publication on a variety of sites; learning which one to use when is important to every campaign.
  
  Thanks for your feedback! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
  
  Rachaelle
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  Monique Nelson November 22, 2010 at 4:25pm

  Rachaelle,
  
  I think I made almost the same comment over on LinkedIn, but thanks for raising awareness! I personally love the versatility of Squidoo and I think it presents and opportunity to relay the "same ol'" information in a new and fun layout! Great advice on the Photo captions, as well. That is an aspect a lot of people don't know about!
  
  For anyone who hasn't seen my Lenses yet, you can check them out here:
  
  http://www.squidoo.com/liquidsolarpoolcovers
  http://www.squidoo.com/ecosavr-has-had-a-makeover-
  
  Rex, I never considered your perspective about the mobile phones though. Probably because I still don't surf on my phone yet (I know, I am behind the times!!!). I actually Googled the issue and I didn't find out much about fixing the problem but, ironically, there are quite a few Lenses about IPads and IPhones!
  
  I am sure that is a very valid issue, but on the other side of the argument, Google loves Squidoo because of the page rank and the consistently updated content. It can generate a lot of views for your company / products / service.
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  Randy Mann November 19, 2010 at 5:08pm

  i miss having money to buy toys
  
  Rex Richard said:

  You are right Don!
  
  I just checked this on my Droid and navigation was fine. The iPad seems to be a lot more sensitive and produced the symptoms I described more frequently.
  
  I too appreciate Rachaelle's contribution and was using this as an obvious example to introduce the new thinking behind current "best practices" relating to web design, (not at all meant to be an attack on Rachaelle's contribution which is based upon sound thinking). In fact, linked photos are a bad practice as are pop-ups as they relate to the newest device developments. As we build new sites there are a whole new set of protocols to consider relating to both SEO and user interface, particularly mobile interface.
  
  The fact, Squidoo is a high traffic site and has significant SEO back link value. It also uses A LOT of pop-ups and is a bit of a pain on touch enabled devices. At least some of the time... : )
  
  Also to consider in Web design is the new (as of last week) Google Instant Preview. How a site displays in this "Preview" window will be a huge factor in actual "click-throughs".
  
  All business, not only web related, but all, is headed toward a "social reformation". Just finished reading the second book in a 2 book series called "Macro Wikinomics" by Don Tapscott. In this book he describes a forward thinking model of how social structures are changing and how an entirely new economic system will rapidly arise out of these changes. I found it very interesting and can see early stages of the changes already taking place.
  
  Change is our friend. It can be a little scary when we can't see very far around the corner... but it is here to stay and we need to adapt or we will miss incredible opportunities that are shaping around us at this very moment.
  
  I believe we are now in the "third" great period of change in recorded history. The first was the creation of the "written word", which allowed information to travel beyond "word of mouth" and face to face. The second was the invention of "movable type", which allowed for the development of rapid information to print transition times and what followed was the period we now call the "Renascence". The "third" great period in now with the creation of "Digital communication". We are still in the infancy of this period and some of what we have learned will prove to be wrong and some will be right, but we continue to learn.
  
  Out of this "age" I hope we will most of all learn to "respect". I am not politically correct... at all... (those who know me know this well), but I care about everyone. I may not agree, and I may even passionately argue my position, but I will also listen to yours. I will also admit when I am wrong... it happens quite often to those of us willing to stick our necks out and try new things... it is a fact of life.
  
  All this said... lets open the doors to new thinking. Yes, lets convey current knowledge and use this site to spread the information we learn, but let's also debate and consider new ideas. Let's stretch ourselves to become more than we are and never settle for "enough"... there is always more.
  
  I appreciate you all more than most of you will know! You are ALL very special to me!
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  Don Parish November 18, 2010 at 9:58am

  Rex,
  
  I cannot speak for everyone, as I use a Droid phone, and do not have access to a Blackberry or iphone. I was easily able to navigate Rachaelle's test link, click on the photos to enlarge them, and was equally able to click on them to the associated link.
  
  I have not used Squidoo before, but I would infer that if Squidoo is not keeping up with the technology, then the technology is keeping up with them.
  
  Thanks for the SEO post Rachaelle
  
  
  
  Rex Richard said:

  Thanks Rachaelle!
  
  I have used Squidoo in the past and have included it as a recommended site in many seminars and training programs... until... the strong move toward web enabled, touch screen, mobile devices. (Think iPhone, Android, iPad)
  
  All "best practices" have now changed do to the arrival of "touch screens" which make our old ways of thinking instantly obsolete. For instance, it used to be common... even good practice to link "pictures" to websites and articles... but wait... what if I have a web enabled phone with a touch screen? I go to the image to "enlarge it" by touching it, and instead of enlarging it jumps to some other website I am not ready to see. This creates a frustrating experience for the user who most frequently will back out of the site before it opens out of frustration. Just navigating the page... scrolling down for instance, can touch a picture and send you off to a new site.. very frustrating. (I use my iPad and Droid a LOT)
  
  Also bad are "pop ups" on links or anywhere for that matter. These obscure the screen and make touch navigation impossible.
  
  All of this is said because Squidoo has not kept up with the times and is one of the worst offenders on the web. Just try to navigate a Squidoo page with and iPad or web enabled phone and you will see how frustrating it is.
  
  There are a whole new set of "best practices" associated with web design now that touch screens have become popular. We need to think of this in terms of our own sites, and also in terms of any "external" article posting sites we may use.
  
  Something to consider...??