StumbleUpon: The Next Generation of Search Engines

It’s no surprise that search engines are getting more sophisticated as time goes by. This is obvious in the growing popularity of StumbleUpon, a discovery engine that is able to find and recommend web content specific to each user. While you may personally like the evolution of a tailored search engine, your client or targeted audience may not. Why? Because StumbleUpon basically puts users (otherwise known as “stumblers”) into interest-specific silos, making it difficult to penetrate a new audience.

Example: Your client makes organic granola bars. You build their site to resonate with those who value good health, natural products, and perhaps fitness. While the stumblers may easily find the site because of their affinity for health and nutrition, the general audience may not. What happens to the corporate executive with deep pockets who may also enjoy your client’s granola bar, but sets his stumbler preferences on business and commerce as opposed to health and nutrition? How will you appeal to that demographic?

Unlike traditional search engines that rate a site based on algorithms, you now have actual humans determining where a site will rank. This means that your client’s site needs to be higher quality than ever before to ensure they don’t get lost in the shuffle. Quality content and keywords that are inclusive to a diverse demographic is imperative. A social media presence on Facebook and Twitter is not up for discussion, it’s mandatory.

In addition to quality content and the use of social media, there are other specific things you can do with StumbleUpon to promote yourself and/or your client.

• Advertise: StumbleUpon allows you to advertise through its site at a nominal rate. This will help stumblers find your site or your client’s site and rate it. If the rate's positive, it'll will drive more traffic to the site.
• Find People: One advantage to StumbleUpon is that it automatically places users with like-minded people. Therefore, you or your client can easily find customers by engaging the site.
• Adjust/Adapt: If your client isn’t getting the rank they'd hoped for, they can do something about it. Some people find their site is too “sales-driven.” In other words, people don’t like a site because it’s trying to sell them something as opposed to giving them the information they are looking for. You can correct this by using blogs to educate your audience on topics of interest, which should convert clicks to sales. Once you see where your client’s site rates, you can make adjustments.

We know all this is time consuming. That's why Machus can help you add StumbleUpon to your list of offerings help you realize more revenue. Contact Machus today to find out how we can help you keep your customers happy.