The news of Michael Jackon's death spread across the internet in a massive wave, fist being reports on the website TMZ.com. Right away, Twitter messaging increased two-fold, and the mass of search engine traffic even caused Google to take action (there was a few-minute shut-down for results of some search terms). Over the last few days, Internet radio stations saw a large increases in Michael Jackson songs being streamed, and YouTube videos of his performances and even fan tributes became top viewed. Even sales of his albums spiked- the top downloads from iTunes contained several works by Michael Jackson and/or the Jackson5. Much of the above info came from www.dailymail.co.uk.

Given that Michael Jackons has had an array of legal issues over the year: including family law, business law and criminal law matters - I decided to examine the search engine traffic flow to a few attorney websites - and yes -there has been an increase over the three days. This increase is due complexity of the search terms people are doing - because they are interested in the law as it may apply to Michael Jackson's estate, children, and even business dealings. Searches about custody and surrogacy, or insurance coverage, even about medical negligence are all relevant to Michael Jackson's death - but importantly, they are relevant when people who have legal issues directly affecting them are searching for information and legal help.

So the fact the we see this increase in attorney websites - may not mean any cases will come as a result for this short-term blast of traffic, but it does mean that properly developed lawyer websites do attract relevant keyword traffic. Thus, in the long run - qualified clients to come to law firms via the internet. Marketing with the internet- you can't "Beat It".