Google’s Christian Music
Yesterday I was doing some Google-ing to read what people were saying about “Christian Music”. While most of it was embarrassingly bad websites and animated gifs, there were a couple things that popped out to me and I found some great conversations going on. But that’s not what this post is about.
See up there? That Google search? I searched the words ‘Christian Music’ under the “Blogs” section of Google. Seems like a pretty broad search right? I mean, about 3,500,000 results came back. And here’s the thing. See that third thing to pop up? ChristianMusicFan.com. Seems like if I were a Christian Music Fan and decided to Google “Christian Music” and saw a link to ChristianMusicFan.com I’d be inclined to visit there. I’d assume the folks at that link would have their act together and there’s probably some great content there. I mean, you don’t search something that broad and end up at the top of Google for nothing right?
So, as a Christian Music Fan searching far and wide to connect with others just like me, I’ve searched “Christian Music” and I’ve noticed there’s a link right there at the top calling out to me, the Christian Music Fan. Then I’d click the link.
Then I’d read about how b5Media has downsized and “eliminated some of the smaller niche blogs in the network”. Third on Google’s Blog Search for “Christian Music” and it’s just not something we need to keep around. Interesting. Now, I don’t know the people over at b5Media but it seems like they’ve sort of missed the point here. And I don’t know how much traffic ChristianMusicFan.com brought in, but what I do know is that there are companies/labels/artists out there that would kill for that type of placement on Google. And b5Media decided it just wasn’t worth keeping around.
And maybe that’s the problem with the amount of content being produced online. Most of the link that I clicked searching such general subjects were sites that have either been abandoned or are so archaic that they should be re-designed or abandoned.
I guess my point in all of this, and it’s not an original idea by any means, is stressing how important it is for companies or blogs to be aware of their place on the internet. And before you go the route of b5Media and “downsize” a massive resource you have, maybe do some checking around to see the potential you’re sitting on.
Let’s do a little test. Search Google’s Blogs for your favorite hobby. If it’s fishing, camping, playing Wii, dancing, you name it. Check out what the first couple sites are that come up and see if they are doing it right. Then come back here and let us know what you come up with.
Dear Christian Music Industry (Part 3)
The Christian Music Industry is a small part of the larger music industry, that focuses on traditional Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, and Contemporary Christian music. The majority of artists working and performing within the Christian music industry are isolated from the mainstream public, to Christian radio, magazines and record stores.
Guess how I know that. I know that because earlier today I Googled “Christian Music Industry” and Wikipedia was the first thing to come up. I clicked on the first link as most do and learned what you are reading above. You know what else I noticed when I Googled “Christian Music Industry“? I noticed that my blog, and the post showing a video of Bill Marriott, CEO of Marriott Hotels blogging, was fourth down from the top. I thought that was interesting.
According (again) to Wikipedia The Christian Music Industry’s roots are found in the late 1960s and early 1970s Jesus Movement and its Jesus Music artists. That’s a long time for the Christian Music Industry to be around. Also this fun thing we call The Internet has been around for quite some time, and I think you two have worked together nicely since their beginnings. Wouldn’t you say?
This here simple blog of mine started almost two years ago now on August 30th, 2006 with a post about me pretending to forget things. Sure, I’ve blogged about a bunch of different things. I’ve talked about my kids, my wife, even mainstream music. For anyone that has hung out here much or knows me personally knows that this thing is as random as my brain is. There has never been any strict focus to specifically write about you, the Christian Music Industry, yet for some magical reason my blog has still managed to end up on the first page of Google. Isn’t that weird? What a random coincidence!
Here’s the thing “Christian Music Industry”, you’ve been around for a while. There are plenty of people talking about you online and otherwise. Lots of people saying nice things, and lots of people saying not so nice things. It’s a good thing you have someone on your team at the top of Google, don’t you think?
