IÛªm saddened to bring you the news that weÛªre going to be shutting down Keyword Strategy on March 28, 2013. YouÛªll have the next 30 days to continue working with the tool and extract your data, and then weÛªll be closing the doors on March 28th.
Wha? Why?
The honest answer is that weÛªre shutting down Keyword Strategy because it wasnÛªt successful. Not enough clients to cover our expenses.
We tried to make a tool that helped site owners navigate the new world of content marketing and SEO, but it never really resonated. The tool itself was too complicated, and the underlying methodologies were difficult and time consuming to implement.
Furthermore, there are larger environmental changes happening in SEO which are working against Keyword Strategy:
- A larger and larger number of web browsers are encrypted, hiding keyword data from Keyword Strategy
- Penguin and Panda have driven many potential customers and clients out of the SEO market entirely
- Google Webmaster Tools is becoming very feature rich, providing all the keyword data that any webmaster might need: for free
- Google is encouraging its Adwords API partners to focus on selling paid ads, and tightening API access on companies that focus on organic SEO.
We can see which way the wind is blowing.
What Happens Next?
As of today, weÛªre disabling new account creation on Keyword Strategy, and cancelling all the recurring payments from all clients. Nobody is going to get charged another payment from Keyword Strategy.
All current clients will be able to fully use the tool and access their data for the next 30 days.
To extract your data, click on the Export button and then choose whatever options you like. Extract your data as an Excel spreadsheet, text file or CSV file.
What About the Plugin?
WeÛªre aware that the Keyword Strategy WordPress Plugin is one of your favourite features, but itÛªs completely reliant on your Keyword Strategy account.
WeÛªre going to modify the plugin so that it can work without a Keyword Strategy account, obviously, and allow you to manage your keyword->URL pairs within the plugin itself. WeÛªll have to remove a bunch of features from the plugin, like its recommendations, but weÛªll try to keep it as feature rich as we can.
WeÛªll release the plugin for free and make it available on the WordPress plugin repository.
Any Tools You Can Recommend?
There isnÛªt anything else like Keyword Strategy, so thereÛªs nothing that will give you the whole package. You can get a tremendous amount of value out of Google Webmaster Tools, especially your rankings and keyword traffic.
For keyword suggestions and organization, check out Keyword Researcher and Keyword Organizer.
What About Fraser, How Can We Reach You?
Once Keyword Strategy shuts down, youÛªll still be able to reach me if you want to chat, get my advice, or keep me updated on your projects. IÛªve become good friends with many Keyword Strategy clients, and other people IÛªve met along this journey. LetÛªs stay in touch.
You can reach me by email at frasercain@gmail.com, on Google+ and of course, at Universe Today.
Many of you still have me on Skype, so keep me updated on your business successes, IÛªm always glad to lend advice if I can.
Thanks to everyone who supported us over the last few years.