How to make PDF files SEO Google friendly

Written by Joe Rinehart Sunday, 27 June 2010 13:38

The other day I received one of the best search engine optimization (SEO) questions ever! It came as no surprise that the question came from a traditional print magazine media publisher client, so I asked him if he'd mind if I used the question and answer for an article on my website.

Kevin Ireland, Publisher of http://www.InsiteGainesville.com and http://www.GainesvilleBizReport.com (both sites of which are using the Joomla content management system) which represent his Gainesville, Florida print media, asked:

Hey Joe, I'm trying to figure a way that I can make the online PDFs of my
magazines searchable by Google. By that I mean if someone plugs "inventor
John Smith" into Google, the PDF of my magazine that includes an article
with inventor John Smith will come up high in the returned results. We've
already saved all PDFs in searchable form, so someone who opens the
magazine can search for specific words but we can't figure a way to get
Google to drill down into the pages to identify specific key words. Do you
know of a method?

 

My emailed response which I reserve the right to edit for the benefit of everyone down the road:

PDF's are searchable by default these days and Google has got really good at it. However, if the PDF is created in Photshop as opposed to Adobe Pagemaker or MS Word, it'll be one big image and Google can't index the text within images. So Adobe. MS Word, or any text processor editor that'll convert to PDF is the only way to go. FYI, all the articles within Joomla have the ability to be converted to PDF, assuming your development company didn't turn the feature off.

The example you gave regarding a John Smith, is well, not the best example because, the last name Smith is one of the most common ;) However I'd suggest if someone typed John Smith in Gainesville, you'd have a shot.

The fastest method of getting Google to index your PDF's is to first have a sitemap and in Joomla I'd recommend Xmap. Then you'd go to webmaster tools using your Google account or one you have established for all the Google goodies and your site(s) and make sure it's registered.

Another thing to be aware of is that Google doesn't actually index every single word! There are what's known as stop words and here's a URL of the most common:
http://www.link-assistant.com/seo-stop-words.html

Also, the same principles apply to PDF's as HTML pages. ie:
1. The name of the file in the actual URL or address bar. If you are trying to be at the top for a name like smith you'd better have it everywhere ;)
2. The Title and or header ie: usually at the top, is actually more important than the majority of the content.
3. The 1st paragraph following the title or header.
4. Of course, the remaining content on the page.
5. If you are using photos consider adding a caption of text underneath
6. Take advantage of the document meta data that PDF-creation software or Adobe Reader itself offers.


The big thing you need to do is to make sure the PDF's are in a sitemap. If not picked up via the Joomla Xmap XML sitemap, then you'll  need to spend a few bucks for one that will index all non-joomla files not attached within your web site. The one I recommend and have set up several times includes:
http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/ and they also have a free up to 500 pages index that can be submitted to Google or copied to your web site :)

This was a great question! I might even have to edit this response for an article for my website FAQ's;)

If you have any further questions, please contact me.

Best 'net regards,

Joe

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Written by Joe Rinehart Saturday, 26 June 2010 18:41

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smtp.config.com mail server update

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 14:14 Written by Joe Rinehart Sunday, 20 June 2010 22:58

This announcement effects any client that uses config.com email services!

We changed the email service today so that all users may now completely control their own email settings at URL:

http://www.config.com/email

and even access the blocked viruses safely at URL:

http://www.config.com/spam

use your full email address to login.

The third party ISP outgoing port for the SMTP server is 587 as opposed to the traditional port 25. We are taking Google's lead toward greater accessibility by our network users for outgoing emailing through third party ISP's. PORT 25 Still works!

A full email address ie. username@config.com  must be used to log into mail.config.com server.to send or receive email!

This change was necessary due to timeout issues resulting from traffic, and we wanted to allow users to control their own settings, and if you host a web site with us you now have the ability to have a virtual email server.

Here's an example of my personal Thunderbird email client settings:




Custom DNS is also available for 100% 'net presence' with your own virtual email servers, upon request since we manage hundreds of domains.

Best 'net regards,

Joe

config cache DNS servers improved for SEO

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 June 2010 15:51 Written by Joe Rinehart Tuesday, 08 June 2010 15:35

While most people these days have their computers set to automatically assign their DNS cache servers by their Internet service provider (ISP), there are those that have been historically using the config.com servers.

In an attempt to consolidate cache servers with the config.com outsourced network administration on more powerful servers, please use these IP's if you've been using config.com caching servers:

#Operation Enterprise cache server 1
=cache-a.ns.config.com:174.122.244.22:300
=cachea.ns.config.com:174.122.244.22:300
#Operation Enterprise cache server 2
=cache-b.ns.config.com:174.122.244.37:300
=cacheb.ns.config.com:174.122.244.37:300
#Operation Enterprise cache server 3
=cache-d.ns.config.com:174.122.244.16:300
=cached.ns.config.com:174.122.244.16:300

# The config.com Ravenna Office cache server ;)
=cache-c.ns.config.com:66.219.144.143:300
=cachec.ns.config.com:66.219.144.143:300

You are probably wondering if there is a relationship between Domain Name Service (DNS) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the answer is yes indeed. In fact Google's patent references Domain Name Service.  I once read a respected Searche Engine Optimization expert suggest that Network Administrator's know nothing about SEO and thus should never be hired. I'm suggesting that many so called SEO experts know little or nothing about the relationship between SEO and the quality of network services and should  read sections 95 through 105 of the Google United States Patent Application 20050071741 on March 31, 2005 Serial No.: 748664 Filed: December 31, 2003

First, you have to know that DNS is the first most important aspect of networking for without it, there would no association with domain names to IP's! I've always referred o DNS as the core hub of any site and network!

Second, you need to know the difference between Authoritive DNS and caching DNS. Authoritive DNS is what resolves the domain name to an IP number and makes a call to one of the Root hosts each time. See a more detail defination of an Authorititive DNS server on Wikipedia at URL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System#Authoritative_name_server

a caching server is basically designed to increase efficiency and speed by not making a call to the root host each time. a more detailed description is available at URL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System#Recursive_and_caching_name_server

OK, now that we got the types of DNS servers out of the way, I'll explain how it effects SEO through a series of questions and statements which include:

1. When ever you choose a hosting company find out if they control their own DNS, and if they host spam or porn sites! The question is: Doe's the network Hostmaster have a history of hosting questionable sites? Google keeps track of this kind of thing. If you are hosting or using a resellor hosting package, you might just be on  the same server as a porn site! Find out first by using some of the resource links in my SEO toolkit. Bad Neighboorhood is a good one for checking up on this, but there is also domaintools.com and dnsstuff.com

2. Are your DNS records cloaked or hidden? It's not good to hide if you are running a legit business! Google discovered that all spammers have this in common because they don't want to be tracked down, so they penalize domains that do that! So if you are, cancel the service even if you'll lose the $10 bucks or so!

3. Hosting companies should be running seperate authoritive and caching servers. On July 9th and 10th of 2008 it was announce that the most common DNS software called Bind has a security flaw because it was shipped by default to run both authoritive and cache DNS on the same server. So, not only is speed a concern, but the security of your DNS should be also, unless you don't mind having your site hijacked by a pornster the day before Google indexes it. More reading on this issue is available at URL:

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/800113

TinyDNS has enjoyed the benefits of both speed and security because it always had the ability to run seperate authorititive and caching DNS servers!

4. The server  you are hosting on should have a very fast ping time to the nearest caching DNS servers available! If your DNS server is 15 hops away, it'll not be as fast when people or as importantly Google visit your site! Keep in mind that every single request of images, movies, and other files displayed from yoru web site has to be looked up.

5. Pay for your domain 10 years in advance! Enough said because I wrote an article three months after Google's patent application became public information and it is available within JoeRinehart.com . If you are hostign with a network that doesn't allow you to pay a ful 10 years, then you must ask the question "Is there a potential conflict between success of a web site and the cost of bandwidth transmission that the hosting company is in the business of selling"? I suggest there is a natual conflict even in the day of lower bandwidth costs... move the site or certainly the domain registrar at minimum.

6. Be warned about changing your hosting provider too often. Too many DNS IP changes on your site can cause a penalty.

7. Try not to change the technical contact too often again Google looks at how often this changes.

8. Make sure you have at least two different people listed for the Owner and Admin records. This isn't solely an SEO tip as much as it is a good practice to avoid a potential problem when transferring or updating a record. Ina ny regard, never use the same physicaly name and address of a know spam operation or hosting company that allows it to be on your records.

9. Although I've never seen any direct association between the Internet RFC Standard's and Google patent, I recommend making sure you have a hostmaster@, a postmaster@, and an abuse@ email addresses estanblished for your domain. Even if I'm wrong, it costs nothing and adhere's to the Internet Standards and certainly can no no harm.

10. Lastly, check the quality of your DNS records at http://www.dnsstuff.com/docs/dnsreport which is a for pay service, but it's well worth the modest cost so you can keep on top of the quality of your DNS servers, your hosting company DNS, and anyone else you may be considering hiring to guide your Internet web site ;)

Oh yea, check joerinehart.com while you find yourself checking DNS and smile.

Lastly, if you are ever going to hire an SEO consultant, web developer, or network administrator, you should probably check their own site out first at http://www.websitegrader.com since it may very well save you a lot of money in the end! I personally DO NOT believe in the theory that a good mechnic doesn't have time to work on his own ride!

 

Best 'net regards,

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

config.com hosting clients need to UPDATE DNS records ASAP!

Written by Joe Rinehart Thursday, 03 June 2010 22:23

We have just upgraded our config.com Domain Name Service (DNS) Authoritative servers to include:

174.122.244.27  a.ns.config.com

174.122.244.32  b.ns.config.com

174.122.244.4   d.ns.config.com

66.219.144.144 c.ns.config.com

We have already made the prerequisite changes for all the domain that we manage as a registrar, however if config.com is NOT your registrar you need to update your records!

AGAIN, IF YOU ARE A CONFIG.COM DOMAIN REGISTRAR MANAGEMENT CLIENT YOU NEED NOT DO ANYTHING!

IF YOU HAVE GoDaddy, Network Solutions, or any other third party DOMAIN Registrar, then please edit your DNS to reflect the above ASAP!

The new servers are Quad Xeon with Quad core processors which were upgraded to address the speed issues we've had in recent months!

FYI, I've decided to send this announcement from my personal JoeRinehart.com blog which is integrated with all the social networks I belong. The last important announcement I made from the config.com site I was told more a few times no one read until after the fact when they experienced an issue. I trust, this automation from my personal blog will be seen by those clients that subscribe to my social network status messages ;)

Best 'net regards,

 

Joe Rinehart

Google upholstery

Written by Joe Rinehart Monday, 17 May 2010 14:57

Dan Whitney of Brandt and Whitney in Denver, Colorado telephoned me this past Saturday and asked me to Google Upholstery and verify with him that I'm seeing one of his Internet projects called Furniture Restoration Tools and Supplies in the first place position in Ohio that he is seeing in Denver.

I'm very proud to have helped contribute the knowledge that his team utilized to win this industry related string! Dan has been an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) retainer client of mine for several years and this demonstrates the value of implementing great SEO advice ;)

Kent May 4 Center web site - A non-profit educational organization

Last Updated on Monday, 17 May 2010 18:25 Written by Joe Rinehart Friday, 26 February 2010 00:08

I'm pleased to be among a team of peers to help update may4.org in time for the 40th anniversary of the Kent State tragedy. This is also the 100th anniversary of Kent State University!

http://www.May4.Org is growing with new features frequently being added. It is well worth visiting this site, if just, to take a moment to reflect on the historical significance 13 seconds on May 4th 1970 had toward ending the Vietnam era!