I've publicly complained about lack of click-through traffic of top ranked sites from both Yahoo and MSN search http://searchengineoptimism.com/Google_refers_70_percent.html Even though most of my web sites and those of clients are very highly ranked in all three search engines, Yahoo and MSN send less than one quarter of all search traffic to any of those sites. Google sends rest - over 75% of search traffic referred comes from searches originating on Google's English speaking sites in UK, Australia, Canada, etc.

Is that because nobody can see past PPC ads (Overture Sponsor Ads) on MSN search? No, "Sponsored Sites" aren't THAT dominant on SERP. Is it because only one fourth number of people search at MSN and Yahoo? No, it can't be explained that way either. Who knows? Maybe those who search at MSN and Yahoo simply want to search without bothering to visit those top ranked sites? Could it be that blue color and "Sponsored Sites" label actually dissuades people from dropping down to organic results or those sponsored links are more clicked at MSN than at Google? I just don't know.

If test I ran today proves to be a reflection of where they are going with their new search technology though, I'll be nothing short of ecstatic on public unveiling of "New" MSN search. As a matter of fact, I may be about to fall in love with MSN search.

In this test, I did some searches for several terms I am targeting for myself as well as several other phrases I'm targeting for SEO clients. ALL of those searches rank our sites in first page or two at all three of top tier search engines. The search I've emphasized here in this test though, was for phrase "Domain Name Tutorial" at: http://www.website101.com/Domain_Name/

I chose that phrase because, inexplicably, it doesn't rank well for me at current official MSN search and may prove to be a perfect example of difference between new and old versions on public launch of MSN searh later this year or early in 2005.

My interest to write this article was spurred by a piece of spam email that I had recieved earlier in day. It was from a company that was claiming to help me build my "link popularity" by buying link packages off of them.

The email was actually well written, and it definately gained my interest enough that I figured I would check it out. There were even 3 testimonials that sounded like this was THEE place to be if you wanted top search engine rankings.

Upon visiting site, which was nicely designed, and very professional looking, I started to "play". Within less than 5 minutes I abruptly left site, and will never go back....WHY?

Well, let me explain;

If you are ever contemplating paying somebody big bucks to do SEO work for you, there are few real easy tests you can run to determine if they are even worthy of you giving them time of day. These are so easy, a 10 year old can do them, and they can save you a bundle!

You will need Google Toolbar installed for these tests! Go to toolbar.google.com and download it for free. It only takes a few minutes to install.

The first thing I did was entered URL of their website in my browser in 2 different formats. One with www, and one without. The reason I do this, is because there are many sites out there that have different Google PR values with or without www. This is simply determined on how they promote and link their site. If I am losing you here, let me show you what I mean;