Well it's that time of year again where it's time to take  a look back to what has happened in the past year. It's been a topsy turvy year for search marketing. Just lake a second to look back … damn a lot has happened. Local has been turned on it's head then back again, instant search came on the scene, apps are going crazy, social sites have gotten into the location game, mobile is set to explode… deep breath everyone… needless to say it's all  been categorized and written about by so many other people so I  will just share some links with you and you can pick and choose from them.

Year in Review: Local Search and Maps.
By David Mihm and a good read and covers just about every subject you  can think of concerning to local search. You can find it over at searchenginland.com
Here is the link: http://searchengineland.com/year-in-review-local-search-maps-32631

Global Search Marketing: Year In Review
By Bill Hunt: Covers everything from the government to Russia.
You can find it over at searchenginland.com
Here is the link: http://searchengineland.com/global-search-marketing-the-year-in-review-59342

Ten Search Marketing Hot Spot To Watch in 2011
By Aaron Goldman. This one covers just about every important search marketing subject and is a great read.
You can find it over at searchenginland.com
Here is the link: http://searchengineland.com/ten-search-marketing-hot-spots-to-watch-in-2011-59549

7 Predictions for SEO in 2011
By Randfish. Solid article focusing on all things search and it's from the guys over at SEOMoz so you know it's good.
Here is the link: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/7-predictions-for-seo-in-2011

5 predictions for mobile in 2011
By Chrisina Warran. You guessed it all about mobile and good read from the folks over at maskable.
Here is the link: http://mashable.com/2010/12/24/mobile-predictons-2011/

2010 :The Social Media Year In Review.
By Bobby Metzinger. Pretty much what you already know about what up with social media… Unless you live under a rock that is. The post is from splash media.
Here is the link: http://www.splashmedia.com/resources/blog/2010-the-social-media-year-in-review/

Why Next Year Spells Major Changes in Search Strategies
By Rosalind Brooker. A good all encompassing article from U Talk Marketing.
Here is the link: http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19952&Title=Why_next_year_spells_major_changes_in_search_strategy

Okay kids have a great holiday and an even better new year. Catch your breath cuz next year is gonna be crazy.

Be good or else it's 404 errors for everyone whose been naughty.

Let's all try and break the interwebz next year since obviously we didn't try hard enough this year.

Think about it for a second. Who is ready to make a purchase more than the consumer searching on their phone? They are most likely searching locally either for the nearest store or a particular item. Get in front of these consumers and they are most likely to come into your store and make a purchase.

Marketers need to be aware that using mobile media during the holidays will put your product or store in front the people who are looking for it already. They have a question you give them the answer… and scene.

Not to mention all the consumers out there checking prices, sending photos of potential gifts sharing them on Facebook and Twitter, and let's not forget about checking in on mobile social networks like Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, Yelp and Facebook's Places. That may me all it takes to get someone to your location. Someone checks in and his or her friend notices and thinks, "I completely forgot about that place they have great gifts. I am going over there right after work"

Consider this for a second. How many freaking ads do you see over the holidays? So many that most are simply blocked out. Me personally, if I see another jewelry ad it may end with a hurt jeweler. With mobile this opens up a way to get in front of the consumer when they are away from all the competition and when they are in a buying mood. Great combination. Don’t you think?

Most people who have the capability use their phones will user their phones as a shopping tool from anything to price comparisons, sharing purchases and links with other and to stay entertained in a long checkout line.

According to Webster Lewin, senior vice president and director of digital innovation and strategy at MS&LGroup Digital, New York. “Providing useful mobile applications that actually help the holiday shopping process is a great way to stay top of mind and drive repeat brand engagement. However, the challenge of discovery is one of the biggest hurdles in mobile."

“Fortunately, there is a wide range of mobile advertising opportunities within applications that support the shopping process,” he said.

“In many cases the consumers that spend the most time doing those activities are also the ones most likely to have more disposable income,” Mr. Lewin said. “Also, consumers that engage with your brand on their mobile devices are more likely to have a favorable brand impression, and purchase intent."

Just those quotes alone should spur any marketer into action!

Here are a few facts to consider:

1. An analysis done by Microsoft of their mobile search data found that 53 percent of mobile searches on Bing have local intent.

2. Google suggest that 20 percent of all search is related to location.

3. Differences between mobile search user behavior and PC search: 70 percent of PC “query chains” are completed in about one week while 70 percent of mobile users do so in one hour. Talk about being motivated to buy!

4. Over 50 percent of the mobile search queries are about things that are not very far from the user or right in front of them.

One thing to consider is to make sure your doing local search optimization as well so your store or product can be found on mobile devices when people are searching nearby.

Ramp up your mobile marketing campaign this holiday season and make sure you track your results so you can tell your boss the ROI and watch his job drop.

Happy Holidays Kiddos…