Automated technology to manage search campaign bids can provide "huge opportunities" and eliminate waste, but it takes two brains to get the job done: "the human brain and the algorithmic brain," according to Kevin Lee. He discusses the characteristics of both, which must work in tandem to create a well-balanced campaign. Lee explains the importance of marketers and SEO professionals understanding the intrinsic concepts that go into the bidding system's algorithm. But he also provides a list of features to look for before purchasing a bidding engine -- especially the ability to provide predictive analysis. "The algorithm …

Integrating video search as part of the overall SEO strategy can help Web site content climb in search engine rankings, according to Jon Myers, who suggests visuals in search engine queries attract more clicks at "a very cost effective return considering the placements in Google are free!" Myers provides a 10 tips to optimize Web sites for Universal Search. The list begins with creating and uploading videos into YouTube, defining targeted keywords that are tagged well in titles and descriptions, and building comments that tell Google the videos are important and should rank high in SERPs.

Inside AdWords Guru Emel Mutlu tells us that Google has expanded the base of advertisers testing the beta of an AdWords Web interface. Tests, which began in November, have proved the new interface makes AdWords campaign management faster, clearer, and more intuitive, he notes. Mutlu lists several features Google has been testing. And although he notes the new interface remains a work in progress, the changes have made it easier for marketers to find their most important keywords across ad groups, navigate and edit accounts quickly, and access and act on reports.

SEMGeek's "Back to the Classroom PPC" blog series begins by highligting the importance of creating a template documents for the different phases of client relationships. The detailed plan steps through each phase: discovery, where goals are discussed; planning and strategy; setup and launch; optimization and expansion; and monthly performance reports. "Providing the client with a detailed plan of what you are doing to help their online marketing efforts is a WIN-WIN for everyone," the blog notes.

Erin Skinner taps into a Google video staring Chief Economist Hal Varian to explain how Google determines Ad Rank and an advertiser's click cost. The post might make you feel like you're back in high school math class, but Skinner carefully explains each process with charts and examples. He writes that "the main takeaway that I hope you see underneath all these numbers is that keeping a strong quality score is the key to lower costs and better positions."

Finding .doc, .pdf, txt, Excel and Power Point documents on the big three isn't easy, so Ann Smarty has found three search engines that might make the task easier. Smarty provides a chart detailing the search engine names, options on ways to search, and file types to make discovery easier. For instance, one search engine lets you use a different file extension to search directly from SERPs, she writes. The three top search engines have indexed so much information that you typically have to wade through pages of garbage before finding the gems.

Blogs offer quick tips and advice on SEO, but if you are looking for detailed instructions on building a long-term SEO strategy ebooks and white papers offer a plethora of information. SEOptimise has put together a list of 25 social media marketing and SEO ebooks, white papers and other items you can download for free. The list includes Social Media Marketing Industry Report, How to Start A Business Blog: Free Ebook, and Search Engine Marketing Research: iProspect Blended Search Results Study.

I'm not sure about you, but I depend continually on Google's search engine on my PC and my BlackBerry's Web browser when out and about to find addresses or phone numbers for local businesses. Mary Bowling understands the importance of companies spending time and money to refine local search campaigns. Bowling writes that local businesses need to rely not only on the best market segment keyword phrases, but location-based keywords, too, that put your company information at the top of the search engine result pages. "Don't just optimize for 'dentist' or 'children's dentist,' but for 'Littleton Colorado dentist' …

These 50 SEO tips can help online retailers get found by potential and existing customers looking for products and services. Ran Nir segments the list into 10 categories that range from ways to pick Web site host providers or increase search engine crawl rates for text and images, to applying essential URL and code tweaks. Some of the recommendations include using robot.txt to block parts of the site you don't want search engines to index, not repeating keyword terms more than three times to avoid keyword stuffing, and placing blogs on a directory such as www.sitename.com/blog/ rather …

Not an easy feat, but David Ciccarelli secured a link from CNN. Better yet, he provides insight on "how to get the link" in seven steps. Most of the content is common sense, but each step offers a reminder on the tie between building relationships and SEO. Ciccarelli writes that he's been experimenting with a hybrid approach, a cross between public relations and SEO. The simple act of requesting links from writers, journalists and bloggers when contacted to comment in an article can help build your repertoire of links. "'It's better to be on page …