Link of the Moment: Soft Matter Blog

While doing one of my Google searches for other rheology blogs, I came across the Soft Matter Blog, which comes from RSC Publishing.  They summarize articles from the journal Soft Matter and provide articles and previews for free [1].  I've added them to the Science & Engineering blogs.

[1]  John put up a link to the rheology of peanut butter.  I swear I found Soft Matter independently the same day he put up his post.

A Point of Clarification

I know that some people find this blog using the search term "eric brown rheology."  I was originally flattered, but I remembered that there is another member of the Society of Rheology with the name Eric Brown.  The other Dr. Brown is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago.  I attended one of his talks at last year's SOR meeting, and he has a promising future.

Hey Google! There's Rheology Here!

When I was first wondering whether I should start the blog, I would put the phrase "rheology blog" into Google, and I wouldn't see too many other active blogs.  In fact, I still don't find the Rheo Thing unless I use the phrase "rheology blogs".  I finally realized that, even though this is a rheology blog, I don't use the word "rheology" in every post.  John has the same issue over at his blog.  Even though it's a blog about polymer rheology, he doesn't use the word "rheology" in every post.
This is not an issue that's confined to niche blogs like ours.  This Washington Post column by Gene Weingarten laments the loss of headline writers for online writing.  Online headlines are tailored for search engines and written to attract readers.  Online articles have bland headlines that just use people's names.  Gene's best example compares the online headline "Conan O'Brien won't give up 'Tonight Show' time slot to make room for Jay Leno" to the newspaper headline "Better Never Than Late."

Tracking Google (Further Update)

This won't be news to some, but one can search blogs using blogsearch.google.com.  This blog and the Rheol Thing blog appears on the second page using the keywords "rheology blog".

Tracking Google (Update)

A search of the keyword "rheology blog" puts this blog at #5.  For some reason, the post on iTunes is selected as representative, even though it was posted in February.  Even though he often uses the word "rheology" in his blog, John's Rheo Thing blog isn't listed.  Searches of "rheology blogger" and "rheology blogspot" bring up his work.

Tracking Google (Update)

One month ago, Google searches like "rheology blog" and "rheology blogger" weren't catching this blog.  It's now prominently displayed, so I guess there's no hiding.

Google update

Searching for the phrase "rheol world" now directs you to the blog.  This blog has been live since Sept 6th.

Tracking Google

It's been a while since I wanted to be found on Google. But I'm interested these days when the blog will show up on the search engine site. In fact, one of the reasons I started the site is because it seemed there were no niche blogs about rheology out there. These days, when I type the phrase "rheology blog" into Google, I get this response…