Google Wave has released two features to help manage the waves you create: read-only participants, and restore from playback. Narelle Cozens explains them both in detail. Read-only and restore may help because creators of a particular wave now can make some participants read-only, and then restore the wave to a point they liked.

Rand Fishkin released Wednesday a platform for Linkscape's index that gives people access to more data. The tool is called Open Site Explorer. In fact, he's on a mission to give more link data for free than anyone else on the Web. Through Thursday all the functions are totally free. Open Site Explorer aims to make gathering, sorting and exporting link data easier. Among the features the tool offers: SEO professionals can access top-level metrics, see up to 10,000 links alongside anchor test and key metrics, and display root domains that contain links.

David Snyder defines the meaning of Spam Conduit, and tells us how spammers use the tactic to dump traffic from third-party sites onto affiliates. He compares the concept to online reputation management, demonstrating how one supports the other, and how to use both to your benefit to either clean up or manage your reputation.

Rand Fishkin provides a refresher course on using multiple keywords to gain better SEO and conversions. He answers questions like how many keywords to target on a page, and whether you should you try to target similar phrases together or split them apart. The step-by-step instructions covers topics from how to assemble keyword by broad association, to insights on laying out keyword targeting plans.

Hidden in the middle of an article about Scott Brown winning the Massachusetts senate election sits a paragraph about how a mix of search engine optimization and social media metrics can predict the outcome of elections. The paragraph, a quote taken from a press release distributed by WordStream, predicts the outcome of the special election to replace the late long-time Senator Ted Kennedy.

The Pollution Effect is what happens when bad ads serve up with good ones in the same search results. Searchers might not take the time to judge each ad on its own merits, so the whole lot gets disregarded. Brad Libby explains how this creates a problem for advertisers with the good-quality ads. He also provides key findings from several tests run on the ads, lessons learned for marketers on carryover and showstopper ads, and advice on how to not become a victim of diminishing click-through rates.

Stoney deGeyter runs though the four basicS of SEO, which he calls the "foundation" for online success: indexed pages, rankings, visitors and conversations. Implementing these tactics correctly could improve conversions. The more difficult to navigate, find information and make a purchase or get conversions on the Web site, the more likely visitors are to leave. They'll move on to another site where things are easy, deGeyter writes.

A group of SEOs tested the impact that personalized search has on a search results page. David Harry shares some preliminary findings from the four-day test that analyzed a searcher's location, browser, most common Google application, and use of search history. Harry says the findings were "interesting, nothing definitive," and plans to do another round of analysis soon.

Small-business owners need to know how to help themselves. Most are on tight budgets and have limited resources. Bill Slawski has compiled a Web self-help list of to-dos for small businesses that includes tips on accessibility, analytics, business, communication, customer service, coding, design, Internet law, marketing, SEO, usability, and writing.

Brooks McMahon provides tips geared toward local paid search marketers looking for more advanced targeting techniques. He discusses time of day (daypart), geographic and demographic targeting. One example provides details for PPC targeting on mobile devices based on location. The ability to use geographic targeting to those consumers in a specific area or a store location can have help direct much traffic to your business.