In the SEM industry we have been hearing a lot about the term “linkbait”. What is the definition of linkbaiting? What makes a good linkbait? Why is one topic more “link worthy” than another? While there has been a lot of discussion as to what linkbaiting really consists of, it basically comes down to more people linking to your site because of something you create/post.
Is it possible that Google has come up with such a thing as an “updatebait”?
Okay it sounds a little silly, but it seems Google has found a clever way to get users to upgrade to Google Earth Version 4. And who better to help them with it than jolly old Saint Nick himself?
For the past couple of years people have been able to watch Santa make his famous journey on Christmas Eve using Google Earth. By simply downloading the Santa Tracker, you could sit at your computer and follow Santa on his magical sleigh ride. If you were lucky and behaved all year, he might even stop at your house (ok I made that part up).
This year Google has taken that tactic and expanded it. Not only can you watch Santa fly around the world on Christmas Eve, but you can visit the 3D North Pole and search the Earth for the twelve presents he has hidden each day leading up to Christmas. The kids can have fun looking at the reindeer and finding Santa’s gifts all while learning at the same time. (The clues are trivia questions about the city the present is located in)
So what is the catch? Well in order to do this you have to have downloaded the latest version of Google Earth. Enter the concept of “updatebait” - Update Google Earth and watch Santa trek across the planet.
I really do think this is a great marketing tactic and I gotta wonder how many people have either downloaded or updated Google Earth because of it. It also has me questioning if this is something other software vendors can do - Give users an incentive to update or download your product aside from the fact it’s new.
Think of the possibilities, “Receive special messages from the Easter Bunny, just by downloading IE 7”.
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