SUBSCRIBE
DazzlinDonna’s take on SEO news, tips and theories.
A Must Have SEO Tool to check out
Just started using this brand spanking new SEO tool called HitTail and I am already addicted to it. It is in beta right now, but don’t let that stop you from checking it out.
First, look at the Flash demo linked to from the home page, as it explains everything in fine detail, including how to get started with it.
The basics of it are that you get a real time birds-eye view of the long tail terms that are bringing people to your site. But not only do you get a list of them, this tool helps you turn the best of that list into actionable to-do items so that you can target those terms. Aw heck, I’m too busy playing with this thing to give you more details. Go on - go check it out. This could be the killer SEO app of the year!
For just a $5 tip, you can advertise your site or affiliate link on SEO Scoop. Find out how.
If you are the first to "discover" any of my posts in StumbleUpon, one of the following categories would probably be the most appropriate to place it into. You don't have to choose one of these, of course, but based on what I usually write about, there's a good chance any of my posts will fall into one of these categories.
Business * Computers * Computer Graphics * Computer Hardware * Computer Security * Databases * Ecommerce * Internet * Internet Tools * Linux/Unix * Marketing * Search * Self Improvement * Web development * Weblogs(Blogs) * Windows * Writing
Share and Bookmark:
Today's Recommendation: Adwatcher PPC Fraud Monitor
19 Responses to “A Must Have SEO Tool to check out”
Trackbacks
- $250/Day » Blog Archive » Long Tail Search Analytics
- mypayperclicknewsblog.com » Blog Archive »
- Stuff by Sarah » HitTail / MyLongTail - Search Analytics Software
- Koen’s weblog » Search Engine Adapting!
- Carcasherdotcom Seocontest » Blog Archive » The PHP130,000 Philippine SEO ContestTo help promote search engine marketing
June 1st, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I bookmarked it for the moment but don’t really understand what it does that I don’t already get from my logs. Of course the Flash demo isn’t working for me so maybe it isn’t explained very well in the text? What am I missing?
June 1st, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Well, let’s put it this way. You can get the same info from logs as an analytics program, but the analytics program makes things easier. Same kind of idea here.
As for the flash demo, it didn’t work for me either, but when I refreshed the page, it did. (Note: it takes a minute or so to get going).
June 1st, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. I’m looking at why the Flash demo doesn’t play right away. But yes, hitting F5 and/or waiting for it to fully load tends to do the trick. We are very interested in feedback at this early beta testing step.
The data does indeed all reside in your log files. This is mostly about saving time. It takes a different approach than analytics and report generators by simply looking for the most promising writing to boost under-performing terms on your site.
June 1st, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Tinfoil cap:
The service is free, and it appears the data collection is done/stored at mylongtail. Should I fear my data being used to compete against me?
June 1st, 2006 at 8:53 pm
That’s a possibility with any remotely hosted tool - analytics, keyword tools, etc. Every time I use one, it crosses my mind. And most times - I say, aw what the heck - live a little.
Seriously, it would be better to have all tools be local, but sometimes you have to just trust - which means sometimes you’ll get burned too. 
June 1st, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Thanks for the suggestion.
So far it is collecting data, fun to watch it update.
I always thought that this type of tool was need.
Can you tell us what you have learn from using the tool so far? Any conclusions yet?
June 1st, 2006 at 9:37 pm
I’d say I don’t have enough data yet to draw any big conclusions, but I can see where it is headed. Basically, it’s going to tell me where to go next in developing the site, in order to capitalize on the long tail terms.
I’m a huge believer in utilizing the long tail - it works for me and I’ve mentioned it before. But if I’m right, then this tool will make the job of picking the right long tail terms to focus on a much easier - and much more profitable - task.
June 1st, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Ok, how many people feel that Google is going to buy this software?
This has Google written all over it.
June 1st, 2006 at 9:45 pm
That’s one of the reasons I like it. It is a legitimate way to optimize. In fact, Matt Cutts has often talked about using log files in the optimization process. Naturally, most of what Matt says has to be interpreted via a special decoder ring (i.e. read between the lines), but I’ve always gotten the impression that he firmly believes in utilizing log file information to create content based on the long tail searches that the public is using. So, what does that mean? This is a Google-approved method. Okay, that’s just me talking - but it’s something I sincerely believe.
There’s nothing shady or blackhat about this, imo. It’s just good business. And the tool itself is merely that - a tool that helps in the process. Again, all of this is my opinion only.
June 2nd, 2006 at 6:20 am
Hi, the data will never be used to compete against you! A privacy statement and terms of service is actually my highest beta-site priority right now! But look at who we are, and consider what image and reputation mean to us (our stock and trade). This thing can/will only be successful if we are 100% respectful of all users’ privacy. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback from the beta testers. Keep it coming!
June 2nd, 2006 at 7:20 am
Mike,
Since I started using it late last night i have over 400 entries but i am see zero suggestions. Why is this?
Am i using it wrong?
June 2nd, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Drum, the suggestions are going to come in at a VERY slow rate compared to your hits and keywords. That’s because they have to pass the suggestion criteria. It’s not worth optimizing on a word that you already perform well on (except to get better cross-engine performance, which we will address later). Typically, keywords only go into the suggestions tab if they’re “buried” in the results. Semi-active sites should get a few every day. Let me know. Thanks.
June 5th, 2006 at 8:45 am
Hi Drum,
I’m taking some time this morning to answer this question and a lot like it on the blog. I’m coming to see that it may be a slowwww build for some sites, while others, it’s going to be like suddenly gaining sight.
June 12th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Thanks for the feedback from Donna, Drum and the others. I must say that the traffic and beta tester signups that coverage in SEO-Scoop has created had been of the highest quality. Anyway, in responding to a lot of the feedback, we’ve added what we hope are helpful and friendly help screens. I think it really starts to position what HitTailing is, who it’s for and who it’s not for. Next step is to put the new name into the demo, make it shorter, and move a lot of that developed messaging into the site proper… so Search can see it!