Many bloggers are intrigued with the search results that bring people to their blog. Whether it’s “decapitated Barbie doll” or “giving your kid the middle finger,” looking at these phrases can be amusing, scary, and baffling.
But what if a person were to intentionally search bizarre phrases in order to haunt another blogger?
That is precisely what I did to Clay Morgan of Educlaytion.
It all started innocently enough. I was trying to link to a post Clay wrote a long time ago. I couldn’t find the post I was looking for, so I started throwing random search terms into Google, such as “Ironic Mom can’t find what she’s looking for on Educlaytion.”
These search terms got a tad substantially more ridiculous as the evening wore on.
Clay discovered them.
He, in his own words, had been Search Bombed.
What follows is a bizarre reenactment of the night’s events. This video is a Free Trade, Ironic Mom/Educlaytion co-production, as edited by the ever-talented Clay Morgan.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeAkgKo3q7Q]
Now, it’s your turn. Leave a comment below, and both Clay and I will Search Bomb you. Clay’s honour (with a “u”).
And, in the spirit of April Fool’s, go Search Bomb another blogger you love. Let’s start a Search Bomb Revolution.
I love it!
You are our Search Bomb challenge, Christian. I will persevere, Aussie mate.
You two are hilarious! (and clearly have way too much time on your hands).
See Clay’s comment about time (below). Too much fun, maybe.
Vicki, we could search bomb your classroom blog. Come on. Link to it. You know you want to!
Clever, you two. And the search bombing idea is fairly brilliant. I’m off to try.
You’ve been search bombed.
And I’m trying to beat Clay with better search terms. I think I’m failing.
brilliant! This is so fun…
Another successful Search Bomb, Becks. Check your stats.
Too funny; I’ve never even considered the idea of search bombing until now. (And you’re right, it’s always a combination of humor, fear, and bafflement when I see what phrases people search to run into my blog). Just recently I got hit with a “plush unicorn of death”… I guess the fact that these lead to your blog says something about what you write? Although what it actually says, I’d rather not delve too deeply into lol
Had some fun Search Bombing you!
I’m dying… I’d say more but I’m on an iPod.. Who to search bomb.. And would an iPods autocorrect make it more disturbing…?
You might want to check your stats Kelly.
Ditto.
This entire concept fascinates me, but you two have taken it to hilarious new heights! Off to Search Bomb now….mmmuuuaahhhhhaaaa!!!
You’ve been search bombed!
Bwahaha! Is this what all teachers do on spring break? (Was there vodka involved?)
We were on a ridiculous high, rather than an alcohol one. Okay, a Starbuck’s Chai may have been involved from my end. Not sure what Clay was drinking in PA.
Check your search stats, Natalie. I think you’ll like them.
First Alberta… Then THE WORLD!
Should we add Canada as an intermediate step? Nah, let’s go straight for it all.
Ridiculous!! Pretty sure I could have some serious fun with this.
Have you checked your search results Jess?
Not-S0-Subtle Hint: look for Canada references.
And Colin Firth references.
Clay, I just want you to know, no matter how many times I put “educlaytion” and “Justin Bieber” in Google (and believe me, I tried several arrangements, including but not limited to, “educlaytion once asked for justin bieber’s autograph” and “educlaytion owns a justin bieber trapper keeper”), your site would never turn up. You should be so proud.
Leanne, Colin Firth daydreams about you. Google said so.
Free time? No. Tons of fun? Yes. Brilliant idea? Most definitely. Ironic Mom came up with this concept. We’ve been having lots of fun with it, and I check my results daily now.
Now you know about Search Bombing. We’re coming for you, but you’ll never catch us. That’s why IM wears white gloves. Untraceable.
I think you know my obsession with funny search terms, even if I’ve been absent from my blog for awhile.
You do have some bizarre search terms. Now you have some more.
Hilarious video! Now that’s an April Fool’s joke I can stand behind.
Thanks Kim. And you’ve been search bombed.
Twice. (Once from Canada, eh?)
Does it count as bombing if I can’t read your search terms? My stats have not been coming in for weeks since I made some changes on my site, and I never figured out what happened. I even tried fixing it today. No luck yet. I guess I evaded your bombing. 🙂
Really? Are you on WP? A search bomb crisis!
Yep, I’m on WP. A bonus of having a techy friend who set up my website/blog – it was done in a few hours. The disadvantage of someone else setting things up is that I don’t know how it all works, which makes trouble-shooting more difficult. Hopefully he and I will stop playing phone tag and get things ironed out.
Kim! I feel out of the party. I have to be “invited” to your ferventrunning blog? Clearly, you’ve already figured out I’m not a runner. I run after children and I run after basketballs. BUt I don’t run on my own. Sniff.
Let me know when you’re search stats are up and “running” again. I’ll SB again. Promise.
Oh man, see that’s part of the problem. I don’t even know how I left that comment as ferventrunning and the other as Kim Wilson. I WILL get to the bottom of this. I have a ferventrunning WP account, which will eventually be my personal blog. Until then I’m blogging on my website. There’s no content on fervent running, so I haven’t left you out. 🙂 And although I’m a runner, the point is that life’s about running, so keep on running, my friend.
Kim, I think you need a blogging doctor. And, let me tell you, I love running – as a metaphor.
So, maybe, just maybe (hopefully) my stats are fully functional. I finally met up with my tech guy.
Hilarious! Genius!
Search bomb registered. Check your stats!
Never heard of this but kind of fun! Happy April Fools
Well, I’m pretty sure this idea originated with Clay and me. We’re planning the wikipedia entry already.
They’ll build monuments to our blogging epicness.
It’s like my whole life has been leading up to this moment.
Join the party.
Great blog byline, by the way. You’ve been search bombed. From Canada, eh?
I know how you feel. And I’m coming for you next.
It is one of my favourite hobbies. I like to leave random messages for my husband on his websites by searching for things only he would realise were from me.
I can see how that would be fun.
I sent you a couple. Enjoy!
Hahaha! Awesome. 🙂
I just sent some awesome search bombs to you.
LOL, thank you! I’m guessing it wasn’t “creative grooming” or “bone questions”, other ways people found my blog today. 😉
Well, Clay could have searched those.
when do you find the time to be so funny and look after twins at the same time?
You mean I’m supposed to “look after” them? Oops.
Search bombed you from the other side of Earth.
Okay, point to Ironic Mom for best comment response of the day. So far. I think. Maybe.
Love it! I actually have never searched the search terms….!
Harriet, you’ve discovered a new sport then. Plus there’s a good search bomb waiting for ya.
Hey all, search bomb me in the next hour or two and your handiwork might end up in tomorrow’s video 🙂
Done.
I get search-bombed on a regular basis. Usually by fellow fans of Jack Daniel’s and Gentleman Jack. Not that I’m a lush, or anything. Just a writer.
Have fun on your search-bomb quest!
Your blog’s a regular JD hotspot, is it? Too funny.
I’m going to search bomb you anyway, alcohol free. Maybe.
I feel so inferior in the presence of such genius.
I can’t take full credit. At least thirty percent has to go to Clay. Okay, 35. Nope, 40. Further (?) proof my auctioneering skills are rusty.
I haven’t search bombed Amanda yet! 3-2-1…
This is hilarious. Should move you up to at least the second funniest woman your husband knows??? At any rate, I’ve gotten a lot of searchers lately for “mom on her knees”. Not sure what they were looking for, but probably not my blog…
“Mom on her knees”? What more can someone say? Wow. Regarding DH’s funny women claim: it doesn’t help #1 is a woman he once dated and #2 is a friend he wanted to date. Being #3 makes a better story, though. And I’ve got plenty of mileage out of that gaffe.
Your own personalized search bomb is coming your way!
This is awesome! Another blogging friend (http://the21stcenturymrs.com) just did a really funny post about weird search terms that brought people to her blog. I never get anything interesting in mine!
Well that is about to change.
Indeed.
This is awesome. I saw this tweet online and just had to check it out! I have never heard of the term “search bombed” Clay must have been just baffled! What a fun April fools day joke. You have started a wonderful tradition. I will now go search bomb my friend!
Thanks for taking the time to click over. I think Clay was amused. I was going for coffee spewed onto his keyboard.
Did you search bomb your friend? I just search bombed you. Check your stats!
Wow this was great. I have done multiple posts on random searches that led to my site. The most fun was naked woman snake. Sick thing is that search comes up a lot. Thanks for the entertainment after the 2 am feed of twin 1.
I remember the hazy days and hazier nights of feeding twins. On one banner evening, I wandered into the bedroom to see which twin was fussing. When I returned, my husband asked which baby was crying. “Which one?” I asked, buying myself time. “Umm, it was, ahh, the guy.” Yes, I had forgotten William’s name.
Off to search bomb you. Maybe a bit of entertainment during tonight’s blur.
Very cool way to spend your time!
Dear “You’ve Been Hooked”:
You’ve been search bombed. Vampires are clearly after you now.
This might just be the most brilliant April fools idea ever. And hilarious. I had big plans to search bomb people yesterday, but ran out of time. Oh well, there is always next year!
O, the beauty of it is that it can be April Fool’s every day! A Search Bomb Sprite can strike on any day. This one is about to.
Okay, new video is up on my site with some of the Search Bomb results!
I read your post yesterday from my phone and didn’t see the video until now. Too, too funny! You guys rock.
Thank you, dahling. Had a lot of fun SBing you moments ago.
I’m late to this party…my computer at the store is too slow to load video…
Loved the last part of the video where…um…Leanne has lost whatever she’s looking for…
Wendy
It’s never too late to be Search Bombed. And you. have. been. searched.
And watch the video! Then you can tell us who gets the Razzie for Most Over-the-Top Acting: Clay or me.
What do you mean over the top? I thought I downplayed that well.
Aaaak! I’m late to the party too.
I love this! Can’t wait to try it out!
Larry! I was hoping you’d comment.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes comment that applies to you. While I was filming my segment, (either Monday Mar 22 or Tuesday Mar 23), I Search Bombed Clay and clicked on one of YOUR posts. So, if you check your stats from those days, you may have a bizarre search result.
Off to Search Bomb you now, though. For real.
That’s right Larry! You were in the raw footage which we got a kick out of. Now for the real thing, muahahahahaha…
You guys are a freakin brilliant hoot! I think search bombing should be a new Olympic sport, or perhaps Clay can teach it in his classes as a way to get those kids writing more. Yes. Clay is right. They will build monuments to your blogging brilliance. Can’t wait to get started search bombing people. Thanks for this great new way of connecting with people.
Olympics? I like how you think, Piper. I’d write more, but I have some Search Bombing to do. Check your stats!
Piper, I thought of you when we put this together. I knew you would appreciate the possibilities! And I’m coming for you next.
Next step is to go after celebrities and folks we want to subtly gain the attention of. I could see the plot of a fiction story where a spy gets his assignments through search bombs on a blog about gardening or something.
So, we should SB Darren Rowse perhaps? Something tells me Justin Bieber already gets Search Bombed, only the teenies aren’t consciously doing it.
The mystery plot’s all yours. Maybe a serial killer novel. Serial killer blogger?
I left for a week and there was a bomb. I am surprised no one has hinted that gloves need fingers in them to make sure you leave behind no prints. My study for the week is what happens if you don’t write for a week and see what happens to your stats… I’ll let you know the results of the study.
Laughing up here in Canada. I tried typing with the fingers on. It’s hard. I kept missing the keys.
And let me know the results of your study; no doubt your week away was excellent blog fodder.
Off to plant a bomb on your site.
Comedy of errers does love Canadians.
Back at ya, my Montana friend. Glad you enjoyed the SB!
that is pretty freakin’ awesome. Will there be no end to internet hilarity? SO funny.
Ellie, I’m dying to Search Bomb you. Alas, no blog.
I did, however, start following you on Twitter. If I can’t SB you, I can haunt you in the Twitterverse.
This is hilarious!
I’m feeling uber sneaker on your SB, Jennifer. I managed to implicate two people. Mwahahah.
An Ironic Mom evil laugh is like the giant squid, spooky and rare 🙂 I love that all my fave peeps are connecting with my other fave peeps now. The internet is so cool.
This may be my first ever comparison to a squid. Nuf said.
I saw what you did. 😉 The terms you chose were brilliant!
I love this so much. As I said to Clay, I feel like I got to the party late. (Again!) But I did have a good time throwing a few little tidbits your way. What a great idea. I hope to continue to tradition. Next year I want to be in the video with you guys., 😉 Will dance on tables if necessary.
Renee, Renee, Renee (sorry, can’t figure out the accent egu). The party is just getting started, I assure you. Plus, you strike me as the sort of woman whose presence cranks the party up a notch.
Hmm, dancing on tables. Good idea. Not sure I’ll be filming that segment in my classroom, though.
You Firth-bombed me, didn’t you?
Do it again.
Some SBs coming your way, too.
“You Firth-bombed me, didn’t you?
Do it again.”
That’s definitely what she said.
There is no way I can comment on that without further implicating myself. Sometimes I do shut up.
Just Googled: Life. In Balance. Sort of and Ironic Mom in show-down for Colin Firth’s affection. Sadly for Ironic Mom, Life. In Balance. Sort of Wins.
But you know, we could just share him…one-week on, one-week off. Food for thought.
Dearest Susan,
O, neighbour I’ve never met. I may consider sharing Colin Firth on occasion, providing you get me a role as an extra in Fubar 3. I believe my acting talents were evident on the video.
Upping the ante, eh?
Now, off to Search Bomb you (attempt two – did you register your blog with search engines? You’re tough!)
Register my blog with search engines? Uh, no. How do I do that? Seriously. So clueless over here…
Oh, I’m so late to all the fun. That’s what I get for falling behind on Ironic Mom and EduClaytion. Search bombing has so many wonderfully devious applications — mind boggling.
Tardy as ever,
Amy
You’re never too late to be Search Bombed. Better duck for coverage.
With regular searches like “well gifted boobs” and “bible pole dancing,” I’m not sure I’d know a search bomb when I saw one. Strange is normal in the Tamara Out Loud stats. 😉
There are a number of witticisms about Bible pole dancing running through my head but, as always, I don’t know where the irreverent line is. Somehow, though, I think you’d be okay with most of them. 😉
And by the way, your search terms are going to get stranger. You’ll know. Trust me.
Yeah, I never know where that pesky line is til I trip right over it.
Oh, and at first I thought “great hair” said “gray hair,” and I feared our new friendship was over. And btw, I *am* pretty good at pole dancing, but I could stand to be better at Bible. 😉
I somehow fear the fact that you two have now met.
For the first ever, my real search results are tamer than my search bomb results. Yesterday I got bombed with “going all the way”; today I only got “opposite sex friendship hug.” Yawn.
I can change that.
Wise man.
Tamara: we could combine our search-bombiness to great effect. Search bomb shells, maybe?
Pass the modesty. Or at least the caffeine.
We are the Search Bombshells. It’s on!
Why yes you can. Damn!
Incidentally, I fear I’ve become so adept at the dirty bomb, I’ve forgotten how to do an innocent search bomb. But really, is there any such thing?
I will pray for you.
I need to leave a comment because it seems like the search terms that lead to my blog are not that cool. Although once I did get a “pee in pull up” that led to my blog.
Hope I am not too late to the party:)
We can fix that, Lisa. We will liven up the stats at Schwartz Chronicles. You just wait and see.
One I got today was “interchanging wifes.” Apparently, someone doesn’t know how to pluralize.
Yes, the misspelled or error-filled Google searches. Coming to get you. With bad punctuation.
…and creepiness!
I’ve never heard of the term, or concept, of search bombing before, but now I’m totally on board! My blog gets lots of wierd hits (Yogurt?!) so I can hardly wait to see what you guys come up with 🙂
Christi Corbett
http://christicorbett.wordpress.com
Hey, my wordbitch! Coming to get you, too!
I bow to the utter awesomness now contained within the search engine box on my blog dashboard.
*snickers yet again*
Christi Corbett
if only I had more hours in the day. Too much fun!
It’s worth finding the minutes for Search Bombing. Just you wait.
So, what’s your preferred bombing style? Do you like to include your signature somehow, or do you go for the stealth bomb? And how far is it acceptable to go with the dirty bomb?
Personally, I like to go all the way.
Okay, Tamara, for two days I’ve had the song, “Let’s Go All the Way” stuck in my head. You’re not helping!
Personally, I prefer the double entendre SB (but I think it’s just a foreign accent thing. You understand). Sometimes I sign ’em; sometimes I don’t. Depends how whimsical or daring or utterly goofy I’m feeling.
And yes, I’m sure you do like to go all the way. Ahh, that song again!
Oh, I’m with you, my friend. Double entendres really do it for me.
You, ma’am, are a genius. Genius!
Thank ya very much. You have been search bombed. And genius attracts genius.
I had a friend do this to me once and before I knew it was him, it was really unsettling to think somebody out there seemed to know bizarre personal details about me and was searching the Internet to learn more.
Yes, there is a stalker quotient to the Search Bomb, especially the anonymous one. Well, here’s a PSA: I’m coming to get you. And since I know no personal details about you, I get to make them up, which is devious in its own way!
Oh man… this sounds fun. A couple of weird searches that led to my site (not bombs):
“cleanup on aisle 5 sex”
“drowning monkey”
Looking forward to getting bombed and bombing others!
What is it with monkeys? I get “caged monkey” all the time. And that Aisle 5: I’d either stay away from it or go there after hours.
Coming to search bomb you though. Look out for Aisle 6.
Nice… Thanks! This is harder than it seems. I finally dropped one on you but it took some work.
By the way, I’ll get right on that about page, right after I send some more search bombs
Keith, you’re a natural! Here’s a hint (that I’ll likely regret telling you): Put “Ironic Mom” in quotations.
Launching a few more now.
This is hilarious! I absolutely love it. I’m late to reading this, but I’m so glad I did. The crazy searches that link to my blog are about anne of green gables and that picture of the little boy that captions “I f*cking LOVE coloring” Random. It is a truth universally acknowledge you could do a whole post on the search bombs linking you to Colin Firth. 😀
It is a truth universally acknowledged that I love your comment!
Some interesting SBs coming your way, Jess.
You guys have me ROARING!
Honestly.
Are you both married?
Cuz if you aren’t, you’d make a great search bombing couple.
That just made me unreasonably jealous. I really feel like Leanne and I have something special.
Aww, T, we do have something special.
Clay and I just have one child: SB. Scout’s honour, eh? 😉
I am so happy about this turn of events, mostly because Tamara (however you say that bloody name) is jealous. Leanne and I are always working on more potential blog love children, but now I know why Tamara is so excited about working with me on a future co-post. It’s gotta be a thrill for you to work with someone of my stature.
That’s it; we’re through.
T, am I implicated in this? [feigns innocence and presses publish]
My dear SearchBombShell, naturally not. I simply tire of the Professor’s posturing. You and I are still very much on. 😉
I need to clear my throat: Ahem.
Indeed.
okay, this? is HILARIOUS. (i especially love the conversation with tamara who, incidentally, is who got me here in the first place.)
search bomb me or no, just wanted y’all to know that this will now be my new favorite time-waster.
xo
Glad you found us via Tamara Outloud, Mary.
Tamara and I have had many conversations, only some of them printable.
I’ll be search bombing you tonight. I work best under the cloak of night.
Thank you for my laugh out loud moment of this morning. Aside from my children’s chocolate and extra large coffee, it’s the only thing that’s keeping me going right now.
Chocolate and caffeine and searchbombing: a recipe for coping.
Glad you had a chuckle. Check your stats tonight. I’ve got a SearchBomb date after dinner.
This has been cracking me up following along on Twitter. I can’t wait to start SearchBombing friends’ blogs. I think I’m finally ready 🙂
Laughter is priceless. <3 Thank you!
Your site just got buzzed Sarah Bee 🙂
Ha! Awesome.
Now I have the uncontrollable desire to play Raving Rabids 2 on the Wii. Must be the background music.
Hope you found the music!
This is hilarious! I had no idea there was even a term for that…
There is now! 😀
This is brilliant 😀
You’ve probably seen this around, but this guy gets hits on his blog from some pretty funny searches and then blogs about them:
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/06/22/search-term-bingo-stole-my-dingo/
This is such an amazing idea!
Give the gift of inobscurity for Christmas.
Got my first two planned out already…
Love the music, the torment and the play on words. Great video, too.
I’m going to search bomb some friends.
I have a post from 2009 that gets a ton of hits, which has always surprised me, given the sheer impossibility of the task: http://onegirlriot.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/regain-your-hymen/
Many hits, nary a comment. heh
In my movement classes every now and then I collapse into giggles and ask, “Wouldn’t you love to know the occasion for figuring out that this works?” and that’s how I feel reading this post and comments. Too funny. Since I’ve gotten hits from some of those odd searches I can’t wait to see what comes up now! Thanks for starting the ride…
Merry Christmas!
This is a cool idea. Bombs away!
very funny, thanks
There’s a name for being so bamboozled that you think only google has the answers? Search bombing! I think I might be accidentally responsible for some odd ones on other peoples sites. Thanks for the education – now to put it into practice!
I’m a new blogger. Search bomb me!
Haha! This is brilliant! I love it!
I love this! I have looked many times as the searches that led people to my blog and I’m like WTH????
this proves to be quite a mind exercise…but its a great idea!
Fantastic! I love it 🙂
I feel so 8 months late. Still, I’ll be the first in line for some searchbombing in 2012!
This is hilarious. Great video. I am super lame, I guess, and have never heard about search bombing until today. It’s amazing!!!