I just noticed that Google has finally implemented their Search Wiki. I am not sure if this is just for a select number of users for now, but it seems like a pretty cool feature. Basically, it is like a Digg (ratings) system for Google’s search results. I see a lot of potential for manipulation however. I have a feeling Google’s ratings system doesn’t hold too much value in the overall formula but rather it is more for personalized search. Instead of the ratings results affecting the overall rankings, I think it just affects the individuals. Below is what it looks like. Just to be sure, is everyone else seeing this?
A little while back I wrote a post about how I thought ePN was going to die and publishers needed to look elsewhere for their revenue. Since then, ePN has done a total 180 degree turn and has been doing better for me. Their backend is still solid so basically they fixed the only thing that I had a problem with: earnings.
My revenue continues to increase and I’m currently earning an average of $8 EPC (earnings per 100 clicks). This is pretty decent seeing how when I wrote the previous article my EPC was sitting at around $1.50. A ton of the biggest publishers are still banned from ePN for unknown reasons (eBay claims quality reasons but who knows) and I could be banned at any time. Because of this I am still trying to integrate ePN where I can but I’m not investing a large chunk of my time into it like I used to. I figure I’ll just spend any spare time I have into building more BANS sites and promoting them.
The reason I like ePN’s structure so much is because it takes minimal effort from me after setup. If I never put another minute of time into building and promoting sites, I would still get a nice chunk of change every month in my PayPal account without lifting a finger (assuming I don’t get banned). Has anyone else still had success with ePN? Post to the comments, I’d love to know. Unfortunately, ePN is not accepting US applications anymore, so accounts just became very valuable:).
The Office is probably my favorite show on television right now. I’ve been watching since the very first episode and think Steve Carell is a genius. Since I have had a writers block for some time now, I figure why not post another great Office episode. This is the one that aired last night, where Toby comes back from his vacation. The opening scene is definitely my favorite part of the episode. Check it out:
I was just speaking with one of my readers and he mentioned that my comment relish plugin was emailing him every single time he left a comment.
Basically, the comment relish plugin emails people a “thank you” after they have left a comment. It is used to increase RSS readership because it includes links to my RSS feeds. Since it emails people every single time I can see how it would be annoying.
That being said, is it annoying enough for me to remove the plugin? Unfortunately there is no way to change the settings to make it email only new visitors, or only first comments, so it’s either on or off. What does everyone think? Leave it or kill it?
I see many other blogs that report their revenue each month. It is a simple way to give perspective on the size of a blog and potential of monetization. I was recently asked in a comment to share my blog’s income, so here is my revenue for October:
Private Ad Sales – $250
Reviews – $150
Google Adsense – $149.49
Kontera – $42.69
TOTAL – $592.18
Although this was not one of my best months I still am very proud at where my blog has come. An extra $600 per month is nothing to laugh at, especially since I had virtually zero costs to run/advertise the blog. I didn’t do any advertising at all this month and server/maintenance costs are minimal.
I am hoping to get my blog’s revenue up to $1000/month within 6 months. I haven’t been good at posting consistently lately, which I need to change. One thing that is always true about websites is: content is king. The more content you have the more traffic you will receive.
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