Simply put, I sincerely question value of a LookSmart listing with exception of being listed in MSN. With that said, let’s evaluate situation and take a look at stats. Quite possibly it’s not as bad as you might think knowing that there are other good engines and directories out there.

I’ll have to admit I was a bit shaken when changes first occurred and after several cups of coffee and a few temper tantrums I was able to sit and ponder situation. Not long after doing so, I did a bit of research and I was able to see things a bit more clearly.

I’ve heard several opinions that state “the only people upset with changes are fly-by-night (so-called) SEO companies.” This in my opinion is absolutely not true and I wonder how much LookSmart is shelling out to have people post such blatant blathering. The truth of matter is that most SEO firms have clients of various sizes with varying advertising budgets. Some of smaller clients simply cannot afford this piracy and most SEO companies (large or small) either cannot or are unwilling to spend these valuable advertising dollars. Especially for something that would make them LookStupid…

After doing a bit of research here is what we’ve found to be true and accurate. First we decided to find out just how large LookSmart’s reach really is. It appears to be smaller than Zeppelin blimp they claim to have floating around Internet. Using WordTracker we find that LookSmart is garnering less than ½% of total Internet searches. This doesn’t include their partners so lets take a look at that also.

LookSmart’s partner sites with exception of MSN don’t send us much traffic either based on server logs. The minor LookSmart partner sites either have 2nd or 3rd page LookSmart listings or they are placed in very obscure places. In order for users to see these listings they must first customize search engine to include these listings or click a separate tab to get to this “Alternate” database. Not very good placement is it?

Let’s talk about big partner MSN for a minute also. While LS listings appear front and center on MSN (below sponsored listings), Inktomi and Overture results are still present.

Overture’s results are placed in top 3 “sponsored sites” listings when keyword bid amount has exceeded 15 cent LookSmart price and Inktomi results are shown either mixed in with or after LookSmart listings. What does this tell us?

Distance learning courses are very popular and a natural way for you to market your other products and services. If you have expertise and like to teach, try this marketing tool. Don't try it if your intent is only to market; it won't work. Here are ten reasons why it works:

1. It gets your name out. Listing your courses on www.teleclass.com or www.blackboard.com will put your name in front of many new people.

2. It helps establish your expertise. If you're good at what you do, it's natural you would start teaching it.

3. Distance learning allows you to reach different demographics for potential clients/consumers. The people who take teleclasses are different from people who take computer courses, yet both may be interested in your services. Some may also just be looking around, and may click through to your website and get interested in something else entirely! They may decide what they really need is coaching, or a home treadmill, or a vacation, or an astrological chart. What's not to like about that?

4. There will be natural ways to promote your other products and services within course itself. How often has someone said to you, "Oh. I didn't know you do that too." In my Emotional Intelligence (EQ) course, it's quite natural for me to recommend assessments (I'm licensed to sell EQ-Map assessment), and opportunity for other courses I offer (on different competencies, such as resilience, intuition and creativity), and tapes and products I sell related to EQ. Once you know EQ, why not buy one of my mugs that says "EQ is better than IQ!" to help spread word?

5. Affiliate opportunities. My students are interested in learning all they can. I'm an affiliate for amazon.com. I recommend books and have link within course. When they buy through my link, I make money. EQ means developing neglected right brain, so I can also recommend "dummies" course in music appreciation, with links provided, and my own "Myths as Metaphor" course.