WSB makes a unique “Top Ten” list: Google Zeitgeist

Thanks to all the people who sent us this news today: We hadn’t even heard of the annual Google Zeitgeist list — by that name, anyway — till receiving notes and tweets that WSB was in the Seattle Top 10. Background: Google compiles an annual list of top search terms – you may have heard news reports all day noting that Michael Jackson topped the overall list worldwide. But Google’s announcement also includes breakout lists – such as the top “uniquely local” search terms for major US cities. At right, the top 10 for Seattle – with Sounders FC (scarves up!) at #1 and West Seattle Blog at #5, the only news site on the Seattle list. Just another reason our second year as a business has been even more fun than the first – collaborating with you and the rest of the West Seattle community, informally partnering with the region’s largest news organization, and other highlights. WSB is on track for at least 8 million pageviews for 2009, a 33% increase from last year, 5+ times the year before that. This new way of reporting/sharing/discussing community news has attracted regional and national attention, and this quirky little Google shoutout is just one more bit of proof. Thanks again for being part of this adventure!

26 Replies to "WSB makes a unique "Top Ten" list: Google Zeitgeist"

  • Kate K December 1, 2009 (10:40 pm)

    Wow – what a tremendous accomplishment. Congratulations West Seattle Blog!

  • TBMR December 1, 2009 (11:02 pm)

    That’s great- congratulations!

  • cclarue December 1, 2009 (11:15 pm)

    that is so cool!! when I told my boyfriend about the blog being 1st to report the capture of the lakewood shooting suspect he was teasing me saying I think the blog is so above all other news and i treat it like the news bible…Oh i cant wait til morning to tell him this!!

  • Rhonda Porter December 1, 2009 (11:17 pm)

    That’s fantastic! Congrats :)

  • Cheryl December 1, 2009 (11:30 pm)

    It’s been so great watching the WSB grow over the last 2 yrs. I’m esp hopeful more local communities will follow your lead! Goodness knows, traditional news outlets still don’t seem to “get it”, but WE (your readers) do, so please keep it up. We need you!

  • LyndaB December 1, 2009 (11:37 pm)

    That’s awesome! That’s exciting but I also have to laugh out loud about the “Snohomish County Jail” being on the top 10.

  • LyndaB December 1, 2009 (11:37 pm)

    That’s awesome! That’s exciting but I also have to laugh out loud about the “Snohomish County Jail” being on the top 10.

  • Leroniusmonkfish December 1, 2009 (11:44 pm)

    You have done more than anyone could possibly ask for in a localized “blog”. Informative reporting yet unbiased and with a sense of humor to boot! Congrats…I don’t even live in WS anymore yet I still read the WSB everyday.

  • Kevin December 2, 2009 (12:23 am)

    Congratulations! This is a very well deserved accomplishment! Team WSB should be very proud of themselves.
    .
    Perhaps someday we will all be watching KWSB TV in HD and occasionally spotting the KWSB news helicopter in the sky. :) Hey, at the rate they are growing anything could happen.

  • WSB December 2, 2009 (12:54 am)

    Kevin – Hey, we have a new HD camera. It’s all converging!
    .
    Lynda – I know, unusual collection of terms. Which is why I called it “quirky.” Although our stats show that a lot of people do come here by typing West Seattle Blog into Google, rather than just typing westseattleblog.com into their browser bar – I’m sure that’s the case for many websites – but our favorite search-term success story is the fact that if you type nothing more than West Seattle into Google, WSB is often the first result (aside from a Google-specific map type page)… TR

  • miws December 2, 2009 (5:52 am)

    Congrats WSB!! :cool:

    .

    Mike

  • Robert2715 December 2, 2009 (5:57 am)

    I bet Realtors mention you when they show homes in West Seattle – “and this area has an awesome local news blog”.

  • Valerie December 2, 2009 (6:03 am)

    Thanks for all you do. I totally depend on you. Very well-deserved honor.

  • rob December 2, 2009 (6:22 am)

    Question is, why so many hits for that dump named snoqualmie casino?

  • cathyw December 2, 2009 (6:37 am)

    Congrats! West Seattle is so lucky to have you.

  • Cami December 2, 2009 (6:48 am)

    That is too cool!

  • DML December 2, 2009 (7:24 am)

    We raise our mugs of morning beverage in your esteemed direction. Such talent and dedication has made you indispensable in this household.
    Thanks for your big idea that really worked.

  • k December 2, 2009 (8:08 am)

    Awesome news!

  • woot woot December 2, 2009 (8:40 am)

    Top 10? TOP 5!!

    So proud good job!!

  • andrea December 2, 2009 (9:44 am)

    Congratulations WSB! Very well deserved. You are an absolutely indispensable part of my day and I am so appreciative of you and all your hard work!

  • npardo December 2, 2009 (9:56 am)

    Congratulations!

  • Kathy December 2, 2009 (11:50 am)

    I can’t imagine living in a community now that doesn’t have such good local news that WSB gives us. I’m spoiled!

  • charlabob December 2, 2009 (12:05 pm)

    Congratulations (again!) This kind of good news is almost getting routine. We depend on you for, um, everything. We actually manage to seem well-informed.

    c and b

  • Carrie Ann December 2, 2009 (12:35 pm)

    I second Kathy’s sentiments. Life before the WSB? I barely remember it… ;) Wonderfully spoiled. Thank you, and keep up the awesome work!

  • Tracy D. December 2, 2009 (3:21 pm)

    Thank You WSB for your dedication to all things West Seattle! Congrats to you – well deserved after all the long hours you put in to keep us informed!

  • Babs December 2, 2009 (4:48 pm)

    WOO HOO to WSB! You guys rock. Thanks for being my #1 news source for all things big and small. You have made a big diff in the West Seattle hood so how bout a toast to 2010….! :)

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