How many times have you Googled yourself? Come on, be honest. On one hand, I find it interesting how many women have the same name as me and how well they've done for themselves. On the other hand, why am I not coming up? Granted I haven't been published (yet), but I have this great blog. That should count for something.
Last week I learned two very important things about Google searches I'd like to share.
1) When you use quotation marks around your search criteria you get a more defined search. For instance, if I Google Wendy Marcus I may come up with Wendy Smith and Marcus Reid. If I Google "Wendy Marcus" I come up with Wendy Marcus's...dozens of them.
2) Generally, you have to submit your site to the search engines. Here are some links:
For Google: http://www.google.com/addurl/
For Yahoo: http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit
For Bing: http://www.bing.com/webmaster/SubmitSitePage.aspx
I added my link to all three of the above sites and now when I Google "Wendy Marcus" there I am, Must Have Romance, right smack in the center of the first page.
Did you know this already? If not, did you try it? Can you now find yourself in a Google search? If not, what interesting things come up when you Google your name?
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Thanks for the info. I've googled myself before and came up empty handed (no pun intended for you romance/erotica writers). But this time used quotation marks and was able to find out where I used to live. This was useful info in case I ever forget....and was glad to see I've done nothing google worthy since I prefer to keep a low profile.
ReplyDeleteVery funny, Dale! Thanks for the smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. I'd not yet delved into why my blog wasn't showing up -- your links will be very helpful. Now I have to figure out what I can do to show up under "John Baron" (without the middle initial). Sigh. Something else to fritter away my time on.
ReplyDeleteThose quotation-marks tell the search engine that you want to look for "all-these-words-in-a-row-just-like-this". Without the quotes, it will search for all of those words in any order at all. Quotes are probably the simplest and most powerful way to find exactly what you want most quickly. There's more -- on the google home page, for instance, click on "advanced search."
Your welcome, John. I'm glad I could be of help to you for a change. Re: your initial. When I started this blog I toyed with using my middle initial, because there is another Wendy Marcus who is an author. (What are the chances?) Anyway, I decided against it. (And should my future agent/editor recommend I add the middle initial to seperate me from the other Wendy Marcus author, I will be eager to discuss the results of your search on how to remove the initial so I can use it in reverse!
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Thanks for the tip. But I still come up either as a porn star or a Texas home-schooling mother of 7. And I sincerely hope those women are not one and the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Terri!
ReplyDeleteThere could be an idea for a book in there somewhere!
Thanks for the tip, Wendy. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Susan. And welcome. I hope you'll stop by again soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic post Wendy! But now I have homework to do...
ReplyDeleteTo spread the wealth a bit, I've nominated you for the Creative Writer award! (cheering fans in background)
Stop by my blog to pick it up!
Thanks, Merissa! Busy week. I'll swing by your blog in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI've done this before with my married name and maiden name. Under my married name a letter to the editor that I wrote to the New York Times popped up, my contest wins, and sometimes a entry in my blog with come up.
ReplyDeleteUnder my maiden name I found this girl who is living the life I imagined -she is a archeologist who has been to digs around the world and works at a famous museum...sigh...well I can live vicariously thru her
It's not too late, Liz. I wonder how the Internet service is out in the middle east? Maybe you can combine both your passions at the same time!
ReplyDelete