Annotated+Bibliography


 * Name****:** Margaret Loong
 * Article #1:** How Google’s +1 Button Affects SEO
 * Source:** Mashable.com (@http://mashable.com/2012/02/21/google-plus-1-seo/)
 * Tags/ Keywords:** Google, SEO, social searching, page rank

This article talks about the possible indirect effects Google’s +1 button has on websites and their page ranking in Google searches. Although users don’t necessarily share their +1’s to their social stream, their recommendations are tracked, so when the site, or relate sites appear in searches, Google will display the number of +1’s a website contains. Google is known for their page-ranking system that filters out search results based upon elements such as relevant links and keywords. Since the +1 button may cause people to click on certain results, it’s possible that the CTR will increase based on these recommendations.
 * Summary:**

Google recently launched a new applicated “Search Plus Your World,” which basically gives Google+ users the ability to access content that might be private for the public, but not to the user if he/she is apart of the circle. Links that receive the most +1s will populate the search results in “Search Plus Your World,” based upon the fact that you are more likely to trust the opinions of people within your circle.

Since Google+ is still relatively new, it’s still too early to see if this system will skew the way search results are generated. Google hasn’t even officially announced how the +1 button directly, or indirectly affects page results. However, this article demonstrates that it’s important for companies and brands to get on the Google+ bandwagon in order to stay competitive. The take away message of the article is that for now, people who actively use SEO to promote their websites don’t need to be too worried yet about the effect of the Google +1 button.

Word Count: 268


 * Name****:** Margaret Loong
 * Article #2**: How Brands Are Using Pinterest – And What They Can Do Better
 * Source**: ReadWriteWeb (@http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_brands_are_using_pinterest.php)
 * Tags/ Keywords:** Pinterest, branding, social, online presence, advertising, visual media

This article talks about how brands can use Pinterest to expand their online presence, attract new audiences, and drive sales. Pinterest was first used by bride-to-be’s and women who virtually “clipped” or “pinned” images to inspire their future wedding. Eventually, the trend caught on, and people started to use Pinterest as an online-shopping companion. The author gives an example of how he recently was shopping for bar stools and used Pinterest to keep track of the styles he browsed online. As he Googled images he pinned them to his board. The author writes that in these situations, both brands and users win.
 * Summary:**

The author provides an overview of how online store, “Etsy,” was one of the first brands to take advantage of Pinterest. Etsy has over 54,000 followers, 26 themed “boards” and 843 pins (images). The themed boards allow Etsy to reinforce their image as a craft-oriented marketplace to their customers. Also, Etsy puts the price tag on some of these images, which contribute to sales.

Digital marketing expert, Gregory Pouy, is mentioned in this post. The author outlines what Pouy believes are the five reasons for brands to use Pinterest.


 * 1) Promote a lifestyle.
 * 2) Use it like a focus group.
 * 3) Drive sales.
 * 4) Crowdsource.
 * 5) Run contests.

Several other examples of successful branding are given in the article, such as Volkswagon, Westelm, and Neiman Marcus. The author recommends that consumer-product companies start figuring out a way to integrate Pinterest into their online-marketing presence, and service-based companies pin images that contribute to their brand.

Word Count: 256