Becoming consistently more effective when it comes to large-scale link audits isn't easy, but Alan Bleiweiss serves up some tips that help marketers recognize when they have identified bad links. He guides us through the use of Excel, provides insights in thinning the data and sorting through links to identify patterns, and explains the concept of Link to Root ratio and why he believes it can help.

What does a software engine do when it has a love for comics? Michael Yingling built a search engine that searches the online archive of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. The search engine allows exact phrase search, and specific date look-up. Apparently, he has done work for the government. His resume shows a TS/SCI security clearance working on systems for the Department of Defense.

Local and mobile, the two buzzwords for 2013, will drive more businesses online with hope of getting found. Rand Fishkin highlights local citations and provides tips on identifying and using resources for local search engine optimization. He explains how local listings use a different algorithm, and that they are made up of structured and unstructured citations. Other local data points being used include reviews, geography, business name, and links. These signals determine local rankings in search engine queries. He provides tips like using broad categories, reviews and more.

Rumors suggest that Facebook is in talks to acquire Microsoft's Atlas ad platform. Business Insider reports that Atlas has been on the market for some time. The more logical approach might be for the social site to license the platform and build off its strategic agreement with Microsoft already in place. Either way, the deal would give Facebook an ad platform that rivals Google.

Content marketers may soon have a new automation tool to generate content. Bringing it another step closer, Chicago-based Narrative Science has developed technology dubbed Quill that is capable of reading charts and data to produce readable content through algorithm that copy human writing. The Search Engine Journal reports that Forbes.com uses the technology to translate corporate earnings statements into understandable copy and headlines.

Google has tweaked text ads in AdSense in an effort to bring simplicity to mobile advertising. Features include a slightly larger clickable arrow icon and changes in color, spacing and text layout. Google said the changes reflect an increase in clicks across publisher sites. The changes will appear automatically. 

The cubicle life isn't for everyone -- especially not Krista King. She explains how the love for travel led her to start a couple of online businesses so she could work from anywhere in the world. Well -- anywhere with a reliable Internet connection. Mobile devices and cellular service have made that easier in the past few years. After a couple of failed attempts, she realized calculus video tutorials were the right product because she loves helping people improve at calculus. From that love came integralCALC.com. She takes us through her story and provides insight for those who want to …

Google's YouTube teamed up with Virgin America to deliver shows from YouTube partners in flight on personal screens on the back of seats. This month, Warner Bros. will make several shows available -- all free in the U.S. and Mexico. It's part of an effort to bring more content to the skies, according to Kate Berland. How long before everyone who flies has a searchable screen in the sky?

Service and technology will focus on building and supporting offerings for small businesses in 2013, helping to get them online both for mobile and desktop. Adam Stetzer shares some small business search engine marketing tips, ranging from content to backlinks to community management. He stresses the importance of quality over quantity, and how to use and read SEO reports that can provide nuance data to improve optimization strategies.

Apple got it correct when it launched iTunes (content) to drive sales of its iPhone and iPod devices (hardware). Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle tablets have struck a deal that highlights how content rather than technology helps to drive device sales. The BBC reports that the UK's Times newspaper will subsidize costs of the Nexus as part of its digital editions bundle, delivering news and content on a tablet.