We all know that updating our Squidoo lenses is important. Google likes fresh content is one reason, another reason is it helps our lensrank. One thing that is worth remembering, when updating, is to check any dates of events that you give on the web page.

This was brought home to me just yesterday. I was updating my page Historic City of York, England when I noticed the section called Festivals in York. In it I’d put the actual dates of the festivals for the year I wrote the page – that was 2008! That’s dreadful and I am embarrassed to admit I was so careless.

Now for the excuses: this was one of my early lenses and I’d forgotten I’d put in precise dates – how stupid is that? When I’ve updated it in the past, I’ve obviously just skimmed that section without reading it at all.

When I use the Countdown module, I remember to check it. When I use it on a Christmas page, I make a point of changing the year soon after Christmas. I’m so annoyed with myself for not noticing I’d left these old dates in place even though I’d put links to the festival websites so people could check dates.

Of course, I’ve changed them now. I haven’t put in specific dates, some of the festivals haven’t published them yet for next year, but I’ve given the month they usually take place but kept the links in place. I’ve also checked that all the links work.

I’m not telling this story to punish myself! I hope that reading this might remind you to check dates and links on older pages.