Wow! 2008 is almost over and what a years it been.

What better way to end such an important year in search marketing, than by having a quick look back at our top stories and tips for 2008 - as voted by you, the ineedhits’ community.

The Top 10 Search Engine Marketing Stories for 2008
I thought we were Google obsessed here at ineedhits. Based on our top 10 stories for 2008, it seems you are too, with all them featuring Google.

1 Google Reveals Ranking Process in Search Results
When started explaining the reason for rankings in the SERPs - you all read with bated breath.

2 Major Google PageRank Update!
Google’s update of the little green bar back in May had you all clambering to find out what had happened.

3 Google Reveals Major Elements of their Ranking Algorithm
Whenever the big G shares insights about how its ranks sites - you paid attention.

4 Think Google Has Penalized Your Site? Find Out Here!
This recent post by Matthew about Google penalties really caught your attention. Seems many of you fear the dreaded Google penalties.

5 Google Offers Advice On Acquiring Links
Link building has been a hot top in 2008, and when Google gave the SEO community some advice - you all listened carefully.

6 Google School: Lessons in Google Ranking!
Another Google ranking nugget for those of you new to SEO.

7 Google Unveils a New Search-Based Keyword Tool
When Google releases anything new - it’s an instant top story. This new keyword tool was no exception.

8 Uncovered: The Google Quality Raters Handbook
A leaked guide to how Google rates the quality of sites was always going to be a top story.

9 Google Can Now Search the Unsearchable: Flash Files!
When Google finally broke into Flash and made it readable (and SEO friendlier) in July - it created a much bigger stir than all of us expected.

10 Google Launches New Browser: Google Chrome
And who can forget Google’s entry into the browser wars with the launch of Chrome.

The Top 5 Most Read DIY Tips
It seems many of you like getting your hands dirty when it comes to SEO, and with our DIY tips still being some of our most read content. Here’s a quick top 5 list of the most read tips.

1 The Googley Principles - The Google Guide to Good Web Design

2 The Ultimate Free SEO Tool - Your Browser with These 5 Plugins

3 DIY Website Re-Design: 5 Essential Best Practices Tips

4 Free Tools To Benchmark and Compare Your Website Traffic

5 DIY Tip: Create a Custom 404 Page with Google’s New Tool

Looking back, 2008 was quite a year in Search. and based on the predictions for 2009, its showing little sign of slowing down.

Rest assured we’ll be on the front line again next year bringing you the latest breaking news and the best tips and advice to help make 2009 the best search marketing year for you all!