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Hello stranger!

Was talking to someone else about Game of Thrones today, apparently its a bit raunchy. Shall have to erm check it out

This is a new thing that flagged in my adsense account today and I hadn't heard of before. Matched Content units.

Basically you can run an adsense style unit for your own website, but it will display your content. So another way of trying to keep your pages sticky and traffic on your site.

There is no cost for it, and although they look like an adsense unit, there is no financial compensation if someone clicks on the "advert". They also don't count as one of the adsense units, so you can add one and not break Googles Terms of Service.

I've been having a play, the idea seems good, but its the fact they look like an adsenes unti that puts me off

I tried one on the forum earlier as a test:

So above Trenas post was an adsense unit that is supposed to display relevant content, but only from this site.

I think on the forum it's a bit distracting so have turned it off, but have added one to our free listing pages on the directory. The below image is a link if you want to see it for real.

Jury's out, idea is sound, not so sure on the execution 

If you want to learn more: Google Matched Content  - Adsense help

Anyone else playing with them or have any thoughts?

Today is the day, Mobilegeddon!  Great phrase been touted around by Search Engine Land.

So has anyone noticed anything yet? Has the update arrived on our shores or is it inbound like a cold weather front 

Did notice that sites are now marked as mobile friendly when you see them in the mobile search results. Mind you it could have been saying that for 12 months for all I know.

Also notice Moz is being true to their word, and using the site as a test, with the site remaining mobile unfriendly. 

So is anyone worried about the update, is your site mobile friendly or in the process of being made friendly, or couldn't you give two hoots?

This only affects the mobile search results, but supposedly non mobile friendly pages will slide down the results. With more and more traffic coming from smart phones and smaller tablets, you could be potentially losing a lot of exposure. May be worth checking your analytics and see where your visitors are coming from, a desktop or mobile.

Great article though from Matt McGee, editor of Search Engine land who also runs a hobby U2 fan site. His site has been around since the 90's, is well curated, well respected with a loyal fan base and sits in the top 3 results for mobile and desktop for U2 - but isn't mobile friendly.

Hi main argument - Is mobile friendly more important than trusted content? ie would Mobile friendly trump more respected in the search results? Cosmetic over substance?

Great point and interesting debate, one it seems Google aren't keen to answer... yet

My 20-Year-Old Website Is About To Get Zapped - Search Engine Land

What reference are you using? Couldn't find anything that actually says the BBC admitted it?

It's interesting how the spin moves from left and right depending which paper you read relating to BBC bias. Mail made me smile pointing to "left wing populism" as Miliband, Sturgeon, Wood (Plaid Cymru) and Bennet (Greens) had a stage huddle, leaving our man Nigel out in the cold.

Do agree though with the comment: "I doubt I am alone in finding this election campaign one of the most disheartening in living memory. All the parties are locked in a demeaning bidding war, promising endless impossible goodies in return for our votes."

Beware this very sinister brand of Left-wing populism - Daily mail

I think it's good that Farage will have a Q&A session, although only aired in England while Sturgeon will have the same slot, but only in Scotland. 

Very good point, one of the biggest overheads has to be resource. 

It's annoying when the one in the street happens to be your neighbour  Think positive thoughts, what goes round will eventually... even if it takes a bit longer than anticipated... 

It gets sadder and sadder seeing these news reports of literally hundreds and hundreds of people drowning as they try and cross the Mediterranean in search of a better life, but left to the mercy of people traffickers. I can't imagine how desperate people must be to risk their kids and their own lives.

Its easy to knock immigrants, but people fleeing genocide and an ongoing civil war whilst risking everything in this day and age just doesn't seem right. Just as Italy, France or Turkey can't be expected to host half the population of Syria or carry the cost.

Islamic State and it's off shoots seems to be sprawling across the North Africa and the Middle East, so called failed states are on the increase after we go in and topple the former regime.

But what is the answer? Other than we need to start learning from our substantial historical archives of meddling with other countries and stop toppling dictators.

The world seems to be a much more dangerous and unstable place than it was 30 years ago, when an Iron Curtain seemed to keep European civil war in check, dictators dominated the Middle East and Africa. All we worried about was Nuclear Armageddon and the Russian hordes which it's now quite clear were never coming, and the only threat in the Middle East was getting ripped off in a gold souk and been mistaken for an American tourist.

Isn't this where the United Nations bursts onto the scene, funded by all, providing humanitarian relief, and if necessary military support, but agreed by all. Or do we all close our borders, look the other way and thank our stars we were born in a half decent place?

The whole subject of the Ukraine, the Middle East, migrants dying by the boat load is depressing. What is wrong with the world today. Is civilisation going backwards, or is it the opposite, access to education, media, social media is forcing change and unrest?

Couple of great posts Barney, and pretty much agree with you other than UKIP. I just can't take them seriously. Nigel is pretty good, but he is surrounded by idiots. But they have made the likes of Europe and immigration key agenda points for all the parties, which is a good thing.

SNP wise, I was only being tongue in cheek when I started this thread...

Now all of a sudden it looks like it could be a reality, with a genuine possibility of a hung parliament with the SNP in power in Westminster 

Tory talk of selling off more local authority housing stock make me want to weep and at this rate their will be no brass left in the cupboard, let alone silver or gold

I'd put money on the fact that if Ed loses the election, we'll very quickly see a new leader. Maybe Ed Balls for no other reason than I love his name

with what? Trespass? 

If he's physically threatening your pet, call the coppers.

Very clever  It seems to work well for them and shows some slick analysis of how to make your operation as lean and efficient as possible.

I'm still a snob though and haven't been in 

Welcome aboard Sam