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Search-Bombing: An Irresistible April Fool's Blogging Tradition

It started one year ago. It was the first mischievous project that Clay Morgan (a.k.a. Mr. Educlaytion of March Movie Madness fame) and I undertook together. We named it SearchBombing, and we want to do it again.

Here is the post and video we put together last year. Read it, leave a comment, then go check your stats. We’re coming to SearchBomb you.

~~~

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.

Filed Under: Finding Humor Everywhere Tagged With: April Fool's, Blogging Mischief, Clay Morgan, Educlaytion, humor, Ironic Mom, Leanne Shirtliffe, searchbomb

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marianne says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:06 am

    You guys truly amaze me…

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 7:22 pm

      Prepare to be amazed again. I’ve just searchbombed you.

      Reply
  2. Winn says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:14 am

    This is so fun! I’m off to bombing my fav blogger Sweet Mother! Thanks for this awesome post. And you lived in Bangkok? I just wrote a blog on getting scammed in Bangkok http://wentdiddone.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/best-way-to-get-scammed-in-bangkok/. I would love to go again. We’re thinking Chiang Mai with the kids! (I live in HCMC, Viet Nam right now.)

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 7:45 pm

      I love that post. It makes me miss Bangkok and the skytrain. I lived off the Sukhumvit line. Same great apartment for 3 years.

      Oh. And you’ve been bombed! It took a bit of work, but I snuck one in there. Check your stats today!

      Reply
  3. thoughtsappear says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:14 am

    I thought about this the other day, and I was hoping you would bring this back! Prepare to be search-bombed Pop-Tart style, Leanne and Clay!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      I agree with “ironic mom likes wine with her pop-tarts.” But I’ve just sent some pop-tart goodness back your way!

      Reply
  4. randomlychad says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Oh, I am all over this, IM (& EC).

    Search bomb me! I triple dog dare you!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:00 pm

      I never back down from a Triple Dog Dare. And I searchbombed you. I think I even spelled randomly wrong. Silly Canadian fingers.

      Reply
  5. susielindau says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:22 am

    This is freakin’ hilarious! I check mine all the time if only to see how many came to my blog after googling “Patsy Ramsey.” I wrote How Patsy Ramsey Ruined My Life during Christmas. It is not what you think…. I get at least 2 or 3 clicks a day!
    Love search bombing! Only you two could be creative enough to think up something like this! Hahaha!
    “Just try me..” she dared.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:03 pm

      The dare has been met. 🙂

      Reply
  6. BlurbMyEnthusiasm says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:54 am

    I am only just discovering the crazy world of blogging, and you have now made it infinitely more fun.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:24 pm

      You’ve been search bombed. And I love your “about” page!

      Reply
  7. Raelyn Barclay says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Too funny!! I had no idea there was such a thing…

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:43 pm

      You’ve been bombed…which is different than saying “you are bombed.” 😉

      Reply
  8. Karen Rought says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Oh, jeeze. This is fabulous. You both are so amazing.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      Gotcha, Karen!

      Reply
  9. dianasschwenk says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Being kinda thick I don’t quite follow but am intrigued….

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      I search bombed you anyway, Calgary gal! Check your wordpress stats page for today.

      Reply
      • dianasschwenk says

        March 30, 2012 at 10:44 pm

        Wow! Awesome!

        Reply
  10. Ray Meinhardt says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:59 am

    I love this. However I would like to say one thing – You guys have wayyyyyy too much time on your hands! LOL.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm

      I dropped the bomb.

      Reply
  11. Fabio Bueno says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    You guys have a twisted, fun mind… 🙂 I love the outfit, by the way

    Reply
  12. Fabio Bueno (@_FabioBueno_) says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    You guys have a twisted, fun mind… 🙂 I love the outfit, by the way

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      That’s my teaching-spy gear. And you’ve been search bombed from Canada. Duty free!

      Reply
  13. Bill says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I’m not sure either how this works, but it IS hilarious.

    Reply
    • deyank says

      March 30, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      WordPress has just GOT to get their commenting fixed. What a mess.

      Reply
      • Leanne Shirtliffe says

        March 30, 2012 at 9:08 pm

        You’ve been search bombed. Check your stats. Canadian invasion!

        Reply
  14. Reasons Mommy Drinks says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    Hilarious! I was just telling my husband last night how freaky it is to see how some people find our blog. Of my favourites that are appropriate to share (‘cuz so many aren’t…): “I broke an expensive gift”, “Vermouth for teething,” and “Nipple flash truck.” WTF?

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 30, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      Love your blog! Liked your FB page while I was there. And I left a few gifts in your stats’ page.

      Reply
  15. Dawn says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Awesome, and OF COURSE you and Clay would come up with something like this. Since I’m pretty well known on the Russian internets (well, at least that’s what my search stats show me…), you guys have your work cut out for you. You might need to come up with some Russian phrases to find me (because apparently I’m only interesting to my Russian readers….)

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:38 am

      I think I cheated, Dawn, but I searchbombed you!

      Reply
  16. hopefulleigh says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    YES!!!!!!! You know what, Leanne? Search-bombing is how our friendship began. The first time I visited your blog is when Clay and Tamara linked to the inaugural SB post. I’ve been hooked ever since. 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:31 pm

      I forget that’s how we met! You’ve been bombed, my dahling.

      Reply
  17. David N. Walker says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    Dang! I guess I’m gonna have to learn how to find the search sources for my blog. Wonder if funnyface hysteria would bring up Leanne.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:33 pm

      I just searchbombed you! Perhaps “funny face hysteria” should be my byline. 🙂

      Reply
  18. gojulesgo says

    March 30, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Ha! I LOVE this idea! (Although I can’t watch the video at the moment, dangnabbit!) I’ve definitely felt creepy when trying to link to a blog post I can’t find, and then wind up searching something random like, “The Byronic Man punches horses.”

    Do your worst, you two!

    Reply
    • gojulesgo says

      March 31, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      P.S. – Just watched the video. HA! Dang awesome, eh!!!

      Reply
      • Leanne Shirtliffe says

        March 31, 2012 at 8:38 pm

        You are fun to search bomb… check you stats, J!

        Reply
        • gojulesgo says

          April 2, 2012 at 5:55 am

          Is my WordPress account trying to protect me?? I checked the 3/31 search terms yesterday and I didn’t see anything more suspicious than usual (I just checked the Past 7 days list too, to be sure), although there was a ‘bottled blonde’ and ‘sloth female’ on there…and ‘I’m saving these lips for you,’ LOL

          Reply
  19. Woman in the Middle says

    March 30, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    People find me all the time looking for “Oh, Pantyhose.” I am afraid to even try to figure out what they are really searching for! My husband thinks it is porn…

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:48 pm

      Bomb’s away!

      Reply
  20. Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson says

    March 30, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Clayton and Shirtsleeves. Two of my favorite teacher minds. If you do me, you know I’ll do both of you. iykwim.

    Happy April Fool’s Day.

    In advance.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:52 pm

      You are scrumptious to search bomb, Renzay! Check March 31’s stats.

      Reply
      • Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson says

        March 31, 2012 at 10:00 pm

        Did you check yours? I played a little yesterday.

        Reply
        • Leanne Shirtliffe says

          April 1, 2012 at 9:28 am

          Hmm. I went through mine…but can’t really find any except: “leanne shirtliffe searches are really strange” and “inappropriate books” (which I misread as “inappropriate boobs.”

          Reply
          • Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson says

            April 1, 2012 at 9:35 am

            Nope. 😉

  21. mistyslaws says

    March 30, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Ok, I’m in. Do your worstest!! 😀

    (Have I mentioned that I recently discovered that there is a lady in the adult film industry – ahem – by the name of Misty Laws. Yeah, you can imagine some of the search terms I have already received).

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 9:35 am

      I hope you don’t mind me being a bit, ahem, suggestive. Check your stats!

      Reply
  22. patriciasands says

    March 30, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    It’s all about the outfit, Leanne. Gotta get me those duds to truly be a searchbomber, eh?

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 9:44 am

      You got the sassy bomb!

      Reply
  23. unpluggedmartha says

    March 30, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    People find us by searching for “maggots in girl scout cookies.”

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 9:52 am

      You’re funny. And searchbombing you was fun!

      Reply
  24. Myndi Shafer...one stray sock away from insanity. says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Hilarious! Can’t wait to search-bomb some friendlies for April1.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 9:56 am

      The sexy bomb has been launched. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Marcy Kennedy says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve never heard of search bombing before, but my mind is already spinning with the devious goodness of it all 😉

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 10:01 am

      You’ve been deviously search bombed. PG 13 Language warning.

      Reply
  26. Off the Wall says

    March 30, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    aha…..finally something usefull for those useless search clues!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 1, 2012 at 10:12 am

      I had some sizzling fun searchbombing you, Jan. 🙂

      Reply
  27. Matthew Wright says

    March 30, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Brilliant! I got found via ‘retarded chimp’….twice… LOL. 🙂 Gonna search bomb my Dutch relatives on Monday (their 1 April…)

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 1:45 pm

      Glad you enjoyed your SBs!

      Reply
  28. Laura says

    March 30, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    The video made me realize that I really need some blogging gloves.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 1:50 pm

      You’ve been initiated.

      Reply
  29. Lynnette Conroy says

    March 30, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    This is so much better than the search terms I find waiting for me. “Angry goat” is only funny a few times. Then it just makes me wonder if there is some funny Angry Goat thing or strange sex thing I’ve missed out on (yes and yes).

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      Check.

      Reply
  30. mandyholbert says

    March 30, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    This sounds like fun!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 1:55 pm

      Done!

      Reply
  31. Nicolle says

    March 30, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    I’ve never seen this done before. Sounds like fun.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      You’ve been bombed. 🙂

      Reply
  32. Elena Aitken says

    March 30, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    You guys are both ridiculous in a totally awesome way which is why we are friends.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:00 pm

      Yup. Now stop drinking wine and check your stats. PG-Language warning.

      Reply
  33. K.B. Owen says

    March 30, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    And I thought “barfing pumpkin” was a weird search term to pop up on my site; I never knew there was such a thing as search bombing! And I thought the craziest you Canadians got was sticking “u”s in places they didn’t belong, just to make things more “colourful.” LOL! Bomb me, please! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:01 pm

      Bomb is sent!

      Reply
  34. Running from Hell with El says

    March 30, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    Smirking.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      Kaboom.

      Reply
  35. Our Life In 3D says

    March 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Too funny. I check these stats everyday. But I was wondering how to get a truly wicked or hilarious search and the intended blog at the same time. So I defer to the master(s). I wanna get bombed, if only out of curiosity. Good stuff Leanne!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:08 pm

      Duck, Andy!

      Reply
  36. Life From the Trenches says

    March 30, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    I was just thinking about last year’s search bomb fun! I’m so glad it’s back. Looking forward to the attack.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:10 pm

      SB is on its way to Joplin!

      Reply
  37. monicastangledweb says

    March 30, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    What is the search bomb bombs? Then what’ll you do? Worse, what if the search bomb explodes–in your face? Yeah, that’s the ticket! 😉

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      Search bomb successful!

      Reply
      • monicastangledweb says

        April 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm

        Cool!

        Reply
  38. Clay Morgan (@ClayMorganPA) says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    So happy to see the return of our beloved Search Bomb child. Been a busy travel day but glad to welcome all you new peeps into the SB fold!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:39 am

      Can you believe our baby is one already? Where did time go? And it’s your turn to take out the trash.

      Reply
  39. Kelly K @ Dances with Chaos says

    March 31, 2012 at 12:10 am

    I still will randomly search bomb you.. don’t know if you’ve noticed.

    I also loved the rise of the birthday search bomb.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:15 pm

      Incoming!

      Reply
  40. Gloria Richard Author says

    March 31, 2012 at 4:04 am

    Bringing in my techie guru to help me. First, I don’t know how people find me. Second, I was looking for an April fool’s idea when this one found me.

    Karma! It’s Karma!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm

      Check your stats!

      Reply
  41. myheartartbygeri says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:13 am

    I’m game (at least I think I am!) Am I going to be sorry???

    Reply
  42. myheartartbygeri says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:25 am

    Okay, maybe 3rd time’s a charm. I don’t think my first 2 comments went through but I’m determined to be search bombed! At least I think I am!

    Reply
  43. myheartartbygeri says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Okay, maybe I got it right this time. Not sure if the comments show up right away, but my first 3 didn’t and I wanna be search bombed…I think!

    Reply
  44. myheartartbygeri says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I really do want you to Search Bomb me, but my previous comment linked to my never launched wordpress blog! You can find me at http://www.myheartartbygeri.com. Go ahead…make my day!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:21 pm

      The SoCal bomb has been sent. Great looking blog, by the way!

      Reply
      • My Heart Art by Geri says

        April 6, 2012 at 2:46 pm

        So happy you like my blog! Thrilled to be a sexy geek! You’ve been a busy bomber today!

        Reply
  45. Baker Bettie says

    March 31, 2012 at 8:10 am

    HAHA! This is too fun not to get in on. I love reading your posts about what people search to find you. Unfortunately, mine aren’t as hilarious. People actually search normal things to find my posts. It is so boring! (or maybe I am the boring one) Ha!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:24 pm

      I bombed a baker!

      Reply
  46. peakperspective says

    March 31, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Fab. I plan to make this my daily mental preblogging exercise.
    Cheers!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:27 pm

      Bombed…found your whisky page!

      Reply
  47. nuvofelt says

    March 31, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    LOL, what fun.

    By the way, Thing 1 and Thing 2 are still getting up to mischief. I’ve not been well this week so haven’t blogged, but will do so again shortly.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:31 pm

      No worries. I need to send you the next address. Bomb has been sent!

      Reply
  48. Howlin' Mad Heather says

    March 31, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I love this idea! And ya know, I might just have to do it myself.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:33 pm

      Steal away. And check your stats today!

      Reply
      • Howlin' Mad Heather says

        April 6, 2012 at 3:57 pm

        I certainly hope it was “howling mad heather of prawn and quartered is a kick ass blogger” because that’s quite a compliment! Thanks Leanne!

        Reply
  49. suzyalthoffsammons says

    March 31, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    i’m new so i’ll be mellow. but don’t worry, i’ll be hanging around. great crowd!

    Reply
  50. suzyalthoffsammons says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    i’m new so i’ll be mellow. but it’s a fun crowd so I’ll be hanging around!
    )s

    Reply
  51. suzy sammons says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    didn’t need the fancy all-in-one maiden-middle-name thing….
    Hi again
    )s

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      I found your blog. Woohoo!

      Reply
  52. rickyjanderson says

    March 31, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    I challenge you to come up with the best search bomb ever, Canadian style.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:44 pm

      I gotcha.

      Reply
  53. The Hook says

    April 1, 2012 at 6:35 am

    I love getting bombed with you, Leanne!
    And I don’t even drink!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:46 pm

      Ha. Likely a good thing, with your job. You’ve been bombed from the left half of Canada.

      Reply
  54. JTAdamson (@JTAdamson) says

    April 1, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Bombs away!

    One day, the whole internet will have you to thank for this tradition.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:49 pm

      A big bomb!

      Reply
  55. Annie says

    April 1, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Bomb me, IM, Bomb me! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      Done-zo!

      Reply
  56. serre says

    April 2, 2012 at 2:33 am

    I have 0 search terms.
    Sigh.
    I should be relieved I guess, my user is italian (stupidaserre) but you can surely figure out what “stupida” means B-)

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      April 6, 2012 at 2:58 pm

      Wow. My first search bomb in another language. 🙂

      Reply
  57. Chrystal says

    April 2, 2012 at 8:53 am

    I want to be search bombed! The searches that land people on my blog have yet to be anything interesting. 🙂

    Reply
  58. The Hook says

    April 6, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    You rock, Leanne!

    Reply
  59. Kim Wilson says

    April 9, 2012 at 7:14 am

    Love this video. It’s even funnier a year later when I know you both better. Thanks for the laughs! 🙂

    Reply
  60. Reetta Raitanen says

    June 4, 2012 at 6:30 am

    I’m such a newbie blogger that I didn’t know how to see which words others used to Google me until now. Thank you 🙂
    And Leanne, I love your funny twin posts. I can so relate since I have two 3 year old Things at home.

    Reply

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