SEO MUST-Read #1: Google+ Matters. Could your Google+ account potentially be the key to achieving better traffic and a preferred placement with Google? Harvard Professor Ben Edelman has some very interesting comments to say regarding Google+. His comments have created a buzz in the blogosphere. Even CNET'S SEO blogger, Larry Dignan, had a featured post about what Professor Edelman had to say. What was his comment? "I perceived that Google would grant my site preferred placement--more algorithmic traffic--if I linked my Google+ account to my web site and online publications." By embedding Google+ into their search results, Google is not only getting their alternative to Facebook noticed: they're saying you have to join if you want better search results. It's time to join Google+. Not because it's a fun new social media site, but because it's necessary for better website rankings.

SEO MUST-Read #2: It's Google Penguin time. Out with the Panda...in with the Penguin. (It's a pattern...Google must really like those black and white animals.) Just a few days ago (in early May), we discovered that Google had released a newer algorithm change, which included over 50 changes to the way their search engine works, and they're calling this the Penguin update. However, the Penguin changes haven't been fully applied to the powers of the search engine yet, and we're not sure when it will happen. But if you want to know the full list of changes Google came out with in April, you can read it here (prepare for a huge list in small black and white font).

SEO MUST-Read #3: Backlinking is outdated. That's correct: link juice isn't so big anymore. It used to be you could order thousands of manually placed backlinks from a native of India for just a few $$ (hey, our money is worth more over there) and magically get an enormous website enhancement, both in PR ranking along with better SEO placement. Why did this matter? Well, when search engines saw that a thousand links were pointing to your website, they automatically assumed your website was important and ranked it high. Now, Google is getting smarter.

SEO MUST-Read #4: Re-strategize around SEO content. Google's new frown on link placement will definitely hurt a lot of businesses, who get their customers from the links they've placed (and not using the talents of a native Indian, but through a lot of costly time and work). Link placement is the life juice to a small business with a web presence. So what can small businesses do to recover? "Re-strategize your SEO around quality content," CNBC experts are saying. You need as much content as you can. And it doesn't have to be all hosted on your website, either: you can publish content through social media (Facebook posts, twitter, Youtube), press releases, guest blogs, and much more.

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