“If you build it, they will learn.” - A Squidoo mantra.

First things first - what the heck is a Squidoo? It isn’t a snowmobile that can drive on water. At it’s simplest, Squidoo has been called a sort of MySpace for adults. While that analogy is becoming popular, and is oh so clever, it couldn’t be less accurate.

The official word from the horse’s mouth is that Squidoo is an “… online platform that makes it easy for anyone to build lenses on topics they are passionate about. These lenses help you find a unique, human perspective on things that interest you… fast. Not only can Lensmasters spread their ideas, get recognized for their expertise, and send more traffic to their Web sites and blogs—they could also earn royalties.” Former luddites can become online authorities and the possibilities are astounding. Over 20,000 lenses and 8,000 lens masters currently make up the network, and there is no end in sight.

The private Squidoo beta launched in October, and already some of the earliest lenses have Google Page Rank and are pulling in signifigant search keyword referrals from major engines. Google’s affinity for Squidoo is especially noteworthy, and many search engine marketers and optimizers are taking notice. And it’s official: In a recent interview at SXSW, Squidoo’s Senior Director of Community Development - Heath Row - was quick to point out the rate at which new lenses have been getting indexed. Listen to the full interview here.

So a lens can be a lot more than a shortcut for searchers to subject matter on a focused topic. From an SEO standpoint, it can also serve as a shortcut to getting newer websites indexed by search engines who regularly crawl, and give creedence to, Squidoo’s growing network. Make lenses for your clients, your company, or anything you are passionate about. It’s the next big thing in so many ways.

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ThirstyPony.com is a Search Engine Marketing (SEM) blog written and maintained by David Pye, a Boston, Ottawa and Toronto-area SEM Consultant. Subject matter is focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC), Social Media Optimization (SMO), press release optimization & more. SEM isn't just about leading horses (or ponys) to water anymore. From organic rankings to the checkout confirmation page, marketers must consider every stage of the online buying process wh...

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Dave works on occasion as a Search Engine Marketing freelancer, and is willing to speak to you about consulting on the following subjects: Blog Development Consulting - From Author to Authority Why do blogs work as part of a marketing mix? It's really, really simple: Implementing a blog on your business site gives you the ability to become an authority on the products or services you sell. Don't just stock - talk. A conversion, be it the generation of a lead via a contact form or the s...