“We think that in general, advertisers and operators must tread carefully when delivering marketing messages to a consumer's mobile handset, especially given that many subscribers believe they are paying a significant amount of money for their mobile services,” says research director Michael Wolf. “However, we believe that marketing and advertising messaging that is properly crafted and that utilizes incentives could enjoy more acceptance on the part of the consumer.”

This is in line with recent data we've seen showing that online couponing is on the rise.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 5, 2008, 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google AdWords Separates Content and Search Network Stats - FINALLY!

In the Search Engine Watch forums, user searchengineman (Does he wear a cape? I hope so!) noticed a change to his AdWords statistics. Now, he could check separate statistics for ads on the content network and ads via search.

So how did he feel about it?

In the words of a famous Etta James song, searchengineman wrote, "At last."

Check it for yourself. There's a new Statistics drop down menu, which lets you change your view to see content and search network stats in separate rows.

The AdWords team says, "By separating the statistics by network on your summary pages, you can not only see which campaigns or ad groups need your attention, but you can also identify which network you need to optimize for."

What do you think of the separation? Is this a welcome update? Let us know in the comments - or head over to the forums to join the conversation.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 5, 2008, 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google Analytics Now Shows When a Visitor Uses Chrome

Want to know when the uber early adopters and drinkers of the Google kool-aid are browsing to your site? Then check your Google Analytics.

GA is now showing Chrome in the browser section of your data. Chrome is the Google-developed browser that was released into, what else, beta this week.

Anyone checked their Analytics for this yet? Got anyone browsing from Chrome? Share in the comments!

Update from Kevin Newcomb: I wanted to share our early Chrome visitor stats for Search Engine Watch. For Wednesday and Thursday combined, we saw 4.4% of visitors using Chrome, compared to 51.7% using IE, 34.4% using Firefox, 4.5% on Safari, and 3.4% using another Mozilla browser.

It's very early to tell, and entirely non-scientific, but it appears that Chrome is taking its share mostly from Firefox, with a small dip into IE. In August, the browser usage of SEW visitors broke down like this: 52.9% IE, 37.1% Firefox, 4.4% Safari, and 3.7% Mozilla.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 5, 2008, 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: All That Glitters Is Not Chrome

With the launch of Google's Chrome browser Tuesday, the Google machine moves into another territory. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "All That Glitters Is Not Chrome," Frank Watson and Kevin Newcomb ask if Chrome will grab a decent amount of market share and reignite the browser wars? Does Google even want it to?

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 5, 2008, 12:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sugarrae: Google Pushed Twitter To NoFollow All Links?

While the rest of the world was distracted by the launch of Chrome, Sugarrae aka Rae Hoffman - definitely a woman who "pulls rank" - was covering the nofollowing of links over at Twitter at the behest of Google.

Her argument is powerful and once again challenges Google for pushing sites to do what they want. As she asks:

"If Google is the one who wants that web link nofollowed because some twitter profile pages may be automated bots or spammers, then it is time they realize that THEY are responsible for determining which of those individual pages is authoritative, trusted and legitimate enough to pass link popularity, by a method other than demanding that other websites and social networks change the ways they do business to help Google stop links being used as a form of currency and to manipulate their algorithm - an issue Google and Google alone created and profited from."

This should be read by everyone in our industry. Leave the shiny new browser alone for a few minutes and see where our futures are going. Thanks for not being distracted by Chrome.

Posted by Frank Watson on September 4, 2008, 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

As consumers cut back, marketers offer “recession specials”

Earlier this week, comScore released the results of a study examining recent changes in consumer attitudes and perceptions about the state of the U.S. economy. The study found that consumers in all income segments are cutting back on spending due to concerns about the economy, and that they were doing so to an even greater extent in July 2008 than in April 2008.

So, what does this mean for search engine marketers?

Many consumers have become increasingly cost conscious and are turning to the Internet for pricing information. The survey findings revealed that nearly three out of four consumers believe the Internet has made it “a lot easier” or “somewhat easier” to find better, more useful pricing information.

In addition, 75 percent of respondents said that they believe the Internet will become an even more important channel for pricing information, with 41 percent of respondents saying it will be “a lot more important” and 34 percent of respondents saying it will be “somewhat more important” in the future.

Do you need some examples to drive this point home?

In New York, Andrew Jeffery of Minyanville.com reports, “It appears the city that never sleeps has finally succumbed to the economic slowdown, and it's not just the neon “Recession Special” sign outside Gray's Papaya.”

In San Francisco, Liza Zimmerman of the S.F. Wine & Cocktail Examiner reviews a “Recession special: the Viansa 2007 Dolcetto is another well-executed example of using classic Mediterranean grapes on California soil.”

When Hyundai asked the Complex Blog to review their first Genesis offering touching down in the states, the company best known for econo-boxes “threw Complex the keys and we took this recession special for a ride.”

But wait! There's more!

Go to the Rates and Registration Details page for SES Chicago 2008. Just like last year, there is an Early Bird Rate that enables you to save $200 if you register before November 21. But, unlike last year, there is also a “Recession Special,” which lets you save $600 if you register before September 26.

And if you want to appear as “sartorially challenged” as one SEM industry observer said “the brains of Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization are,” then turn up at SES Chicago wearing the “Recession Special Shirt” being offered by Ten Deep at Turntablelab.com. According to the review, “Nothing like a nice, timely shirt that reflects things going on in today's headlines.”

Of course, wearing such a shirt violates the dress code in the SES Speaker Guidelines, which states: "Business casual attire is recommended. Formal business attire is perfectly fine. If in doubt, overdress. You won't feel out of place, as many speakers will also be in formal attire. How you look has an impact on how well the audience receives your presentation."

It's a classic dilemna for marketers: Follow the guidelines or take advantage of today's headlines. What would I recommend? I'd advise you to jump on the "recession special" to save $600, but skip over the shirt. But, I should disclose that SES is a client. If you want to take more of a fashion risk, that's a decision that you'll have to make for yourself.

Posted by Greg Jarboe on September 4, 2008, 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Google Adds Some Cities to Georgia Maps; Still Can't Find Abkhazia

Recently, I examined various online maps for their ability to provide data in the country of Georgia, a Caucasus state which was recently invaded by Russia.

Google left a lot to be desired, but today comes an announcement that more data has been added to their Georgia Maps. Notice in the screenshots below how more cities are visible upon a search for Tskhinvali today than a few weeks ago.

BEFORE





TODAY





Still, upon a search for Abkhazia, Google takes me to a business listing in for an institute dedicated to policy in the Georgian region.

What do you think of this update? Is Google still lagging behind on data for this region of the world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 4, 2008, 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obama v. McCain in Online Display Ads, Video Views, and Searches

After two weeks of political conventions, comScore is releasing data regarding activity for the candidates of the two major political parties in the U.S.

comScore has analyzed the online display ad views, website video views, and searches conducted for Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Obama leads McCain in online display ad spending and searches conducted. McCain may want to look into competing better in online display ads - if they're working for the Senator from Illinois, something perhaps only his campaign knows. Both numbers probably speaks to Obama being less known as well as his popularity over McCain, which has been demonstrated in the polls.

McCain did begin outspending Obama in search advertising in May and June. Subsequently, the race tightened according to polls. Google has attributed both candidates' primary wins to their search advertising spends.

Here's are the charts from today's comScore release:

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 4, 2008, 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Ad Network interCLICK Expands to Los Angeles

Fast growing ad network interCLICK is opening an office in Los Angeles. They've tapped Monica Seebohm to head the office, and have made her the Senior Director of Sales, Southwest. Seebohm was previously at ValueClick Media as a strategic accounts manager.

“Monica has tremendous sales experience with a strong track record for exceeding performance goals, managing and developing teams, and establishing solid customer relationships,” said Michael Katz, president, interCLICK, Inc. “She has valuable relationships in the Los Angeles area, particularly with the interactive community, and will be a strong asset for our team especially in terms of building greater brand recognition for interCLICK in the Southwest. In addition to our newly-established Chicago and San Francisco offices, expanding our presence in the Los Angeles area is an important milestone as we continue our rapid U.S. growth trajectory.”

In July, interCLICK named Jason Lynn, former Director of Solutions Engineering for Yahoo/Right Media, as Vice President of Product Management.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 4, 2008, 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google AdWords Now Provides Geographic Performance Report

Google AdWords has added Geographic Performance reports to their Report Center. Now, you can get a better snapshot of how your AdWords campaigns are faring in various locations.

The Inside AdWords blog gave the following example of how you can use the new report:

Say, for example, you sell and ship gourmet ice cream to anywhere in the U.S. After running the report, you find that your ads are doing great in Miami, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona, but you're also finding a surprising amount of customers from Juneau, Alaska. Next step: refine your campaigns. By specifically targeting those locations where your ads perform best you can maximize your campaign's performance.

What do you think of the new Geographic Performance reports? Have you run one? Let us know in the comments.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 4, 2008, 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: (Google) Insights on VP Candidate Sarah Palin

The recently announced Google Insights tool provides unprecedented data on Google's user searches and trends. In today's building brand equity column, "(Google) Insights on VP Candidate Sarah Palin," Erik Qualman offers three quick tips on how to leverage Google Insights, whether you're running a Presidential race or a brand marketing campaign.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 4, 2008, 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Viral Link Building: Size Doesn't Always Matter

Despite some popularly held ideas to the contrary, viral campaigns don't need to be massive to be successful. You can have a small campaign that has a big impact in your industry or community. In today's linkbuilding column, "Viral Link Building: Size Doesn't Always Matter," Justilien Gaspard explains that the power of viral marketing for link building comes from going after a targeted audience.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 4, 2008, 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AOL's Platform-A Launches iPhone Advertising Solution

AOL has announced that their ad-serving platform and network, Platform-A, is launching an iPhone ad optimization solution. The solution is offered through Third Screen Media and detects when web browsing is being conducted on an iPhone. AOL says the combination of the Third Screen Media mobile network gives Platform-A, which reaches 90% of the internet audience, the ability to deliver up to 75 million iPhone ads per month.

“Today's launch is a perfect example of how Platform-A's unmatched reach, solutions and technologies can benefit advertisers trying to reach consumers in the most compelling way,” said Lynda Clarizio, President of Platform-A. “We can not only help advertisers effectively reach iPhone users on WAP pages and Web pages, but we can also deliver banners optimized for display on the iPhone.”

Last month, Platform-A opened up mobile ads to third parties. In June, Platform-A was made available in Europe.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 3, 2008, 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Search Camp Philly This Weekend

The Internet Marketers of Delaware Vally (IM_DV) have organized an unconference as they are calling it on their website. But in reality, they have rounded up an impressive group of speakers and are offering attendance for only $21 for the 2 day event.

Our own Kevin Ryan will be speaking, along with many other well known names in our space. Li Evans, Kim Krause Berg, Greg Meyers, Debbie Weil, Geoff Livingston and Will Reynolds are just some of the featured speakers.

The event is being done in conjunction with PodCamp so there are many areas to pick up tips and learn. The sessions have been broken into Beginner, Intermediate and two Advanced programs with 40 sessions to choice from over the 2 days.

So if you are in the area I would suggest stopping by. Hey where else can you get a great cheese steak and a 2 day conference for under $30!

Posted by Frank Watson on September 3, 2008, 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Idearc Creates Executive Council, Reorganizes Sales Division

Idearc CEO Scott Klein has announced the nine members of the new Executive Council. In addition to the new Council, Idearc is reorganizing their sales operations.

The nine Council members are:

• Samuel D. (Dee) Jones, executive vice president, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Jones, who also served as senior vice president - Investor Relations, has been Acting CFO since November 2007.
• Cody Wilbanks, executive vice president - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Wilbanks has been Acting General Counsel since March.
• Sandy Henjum, executive vice president - Transformation and Marketing. Henjum's centralized organization will guide a wide range of business transformation initiatives that address sales productivity, new products, pricing programs and market and customer segmentation.
• Briggs Ferguson continues as president - Internet. Ferguson, a former Citysearch executive who joined Idearc in April, will focus on executing Idearc's complete digital strategy as rapidly as possible.
• Georgia Scaife, executive vice president - Human Resources and Employee Administration. Scaife's organization has been restructured to further centralize the department and improve its efficiency and focus.
• Frank Gatto continues in his role as executive vice president – Operations. Gatto's organization is responsible for receivables management and billing, sales support and customer care, publishing and printing services, distribution, Information Technology (IT) and other operational functions.

In sales, three Vice Presidents will oversee new divisions, divided into East, West, and Central.

Mike Pawlowski will oversee East and Scott Laver will oversee Central. Newcomber Dave Bethea joins Idearc from PrimeSource Building Products, an independent distributor of building products, where he served as regional Vice President for Operations.

"I'm very pleased and excited about our new organization," Klein said. "I'm thrilled to be able to make this announcement almost one month ahead of schedule in order to allow us to even more aggressively move ahead with our transformational plans."

Related Reading:
Superpages.com Parent Idearc Media Partners with HelloMetro's Network of 1500+ .mobi Sites
Idearc Buys Switchboard, Other Assets from InfoSpace
Idearc to Add-on SEM Services

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 3, 2008, 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google AdWords Releases New Editor Guide

The Google AdWords Agency blog has announced the release of a new guide for AdWords Editor, their account management tool. The guide is available as a 2 page PDF download.

In it you'll find tips for bulk editing, copying and pasting, error checking and exception requests, account performance evaluation, and collaboration. You'll also find several keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate Editor even faster.

Related Reading:
AdWords Editor Update Launches Performance Statistics Download
Conversion Optimizer Now Supported by Adwords Editor and API
Google Launches Adwords Editor 6.0
Google AdWords Editor a Great Tool for Content -- and for Yahoo/Microsoft!

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 3, 2008, 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Q Interactive Launches Display Ad Network with Predictive Behavioral Targeting

Digital marketing firm, Q Interactive, has announced the launch of a display advertising network that offers predictive behavioral targeting. The service is powered by Q Interactive's proprietary targeting technology, the TrueConversion Engine, and uses a combination of offline data and online self-reported geo-demographic, behavioral and transaction-based data to predict which consumers are most likely to respond to an ad.

"Most behavioral targeting in the marketplace is really just contextual re-targeting -- delivering a female-oriented ad to consumers who have visited a women's lifestyle site, for instance," said Matt Wise, president and chief executive officer of Q Interactive. "This approach is not much more advanced than an ad exec in the 1950s placing a detergent or diapers ad in Family Circle. What differentiates Q Interactive's behavioral targeting is that it's proactive rather than reactive; we use a wealth of online and offline data to proactively predict the consumers most likely to respond to a given ad."

Related Reading:
Behavioral Marketing 101: Defining the Terminology
The Three Dimensions of Behavioral Targeting
Targeting Search Ads By Demographics & Behavior
ISPs Collect User Data for Behavioral Ad Targeting

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 3, 2008, 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Top 10 Videos on YouTube from SES San Jose 2008

SES San Jose 2008 was held just a couple of weeks back, but still gives us enough time to find out what topics the top 10 videos on YouTube from the event were about.

Okay, so I only looked at the YouTube videos posted on the SESConferenceExpo's channel -- but that provides an apples to apples comparison. Besides, this is more about the topics discussed at the show than the popularity of the one channel versus another.

So, what are the topics covered in the top 10 videos from SES San Jose 2008?

1. (with 251 views) Avinash's Long Tail Terms, Bouncy Icebergs, and Analytics

Avinash Kaushik of Google and Bryan Eisenberg of Future Now, Inc., talk about goals, bounce rates, and all sorts of important topics for marketers interested in measuring their campaigns, especially with Google Analytics. Later on in the video, Avinash talks about new features in Google Analytics like the partner program and data visualizations to help marketers understand what works and what doesn't. He moves on to testing at the end, and plugs Bryan's new Google Website Optimizer book, Always Be Testing.

2. (with 128 views) Small Business Viral Marketing Tips, SES San Jose 2008

Jennifer Laycock of Search Engine Guide and Andrew Goodman of Page Zero Media follow up their SES San Jose 2008 "Igniting Viral Campaigns" session with a discussion of the best tips on viral campaigns and social media marketing, especially for small business who want to make the most of their business online without spending too much money. The two talk about using social media sites like Linkedin and Twitter to communicate one's marketing message to a dedicated and enthusiastic audience.

3. (with 121 views in 1 week) Mobile Search Lazarus, Mobi Job with Rebecca Lieb

Rebecca Lieb of ClickZ opines that mobile search is back and in a strong way, of course as a result of better smart phones and with what she and others see as the death of mobi. I interview Rebecca on her Death of .mobi panel at SES San Jose 2008 to learn more about the changing mobile search landscape.

4. (with 121 views in 2 weeks) Social Responsibility & SEM for Nonprofits with Jamie Welsh

Jamie Welsh of 10 Percent Solution talks with Byron Gordon of SEO-PR about her organization's work to certify companies with respect to three categories: philanthropy, as defined through the donation of five percent of pre-tax profits or one percent of sales; volunteerism through individual employees; and green sustainability.

5. (with 80 views) Measuring Web 2.0 with Star Trek & SiteLogic's Matt Bailey

Matt Bailey of SiteLogic Marketing talks Trekkie lore and web analytics with Jamie O'Donnell of SEO-PR about his SES San Jose 2008 panel on Web 2.0 measurement. Matt's famous Star Trek/Web Analytics mashup played well at the show as he explained the increasing likelihood of Enterprise ensigns' chances of survival given various circumstance, including the color of their shirts, shuttlecraft landings, and the captain's amorous liaisons.

6. (with 78 views) Johanna Wright of Google on Google Universal Search

Johanna Wright of Google talks with me about Google's Universal Search platform, which integrates various online media in its search results page to offer searchers a wider selection of relevant results. Johanna gives some insight for SEO (search engine optimization) pro's into how the vertical backends are put together and advocates a thoughtful approach to making information accessible to Google through use of sitemaps and detailed descriptions.

7. (with 76 views) Lee Siegel Punches the Internet

Lee Siegel, author of Against the Machine, talks with Kevin Ryan of Search Engine Strategies and me about why the internet is an abuse -- and not a use of the internet for human life. Well, that's the big-picture idea, at least. Mostly he just beats up on Gawker. No objections here...?

8. (with 63 views) A/B Test Experts Tim Ash and Bryan Eisenberg

Tim Ash of SiteTuners and Bryan Eisenberg of Future Now, two A/B testing gurus, talk landing page testing shop on the conference floor at SES San Jose 2008. Tim and Bryan discuss the crucial nature of testing for the bottom line with the triple threat of incrased online competition, rising PPC costs, and a recession economy. Tim also talks about SiteTuners' new self-service portal which opens up, for the first time, some of SiteTuners' large-scale multivariate testing tools to in-house SEM's (search engine marketers).

9. (with 57 views) How Much Search is Enough - Kevin Ryan at SES San Jose 2008

Kevin Ryan of Search Engine Strategies (SES) talks with Byron Gordon of SEO-PR at SES San Jose 2008 about his panel on holistic approaches to online marketing, in which he and the other agency panelists investigated what the appropriate mix of search and other online mediums was in properly integrated campaigns. Kevin relays some tips from the speakers regarding how to experiment in order to make the most of your online presence.

10. (with 54 views) Soothware Online Advertising Platform Intro with Tim Ogilvie

Tim Ogilvy of Soothware chats with John Mulligan of SEO-PR about his company, Soothware. Soothware helps advertisers manage their search advertising and display advertising campaigns in one place, tapping into Google and the RightMedia ad Exchange.

There are more videos on the SESConferenceExpo's channel -- and another 20+ videos from SES San Jose 2008 over on the WebProNews Video Blog. And you'll find even more videos from the event at SEOWebTraffic's Channel, SocialJulio's Channel, StepForth's Channel, HHeitzman's Channel, SageRock's Channel, ChrisDaviesCa's Channel, misiggaes' Channel, and HudsonHorizon's Channel.

While you really had to be there to catch all the action, at least now you can get some samples of the what turned out to be the best attended SES of all time. That's right. There were more people at SES San Jose 2008 than attended SES New York 2008 or SES San Jose 2007 -- the next two biggest shows.

Posted by Greg Jarboe on September 2, 2008, 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Google's Picasa Launching Face Recognition Software

At noon in Mountain View, Google will announce the launch of face recognition software in their latest version of Picasa, according to Cnet.com.

The software will help people tag names to their photographs - handy for that odd face in a group shot you are not sure of. Now I wonder how long it will be before one of the crime shows makes use of it in the field when they do not have access to their lab!

Hey it may not have access to police records yet... but knowing Google a collaboration no doubt will eventually come. Versions for small police departments would make sense and further ingrain the brand.

Posted by Frank Watson on September 2, 2008, 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

140 Million Mobile Social Users by 2013, Generating $410 Million

Social networking is hot, but connecting on a mobile phone is on the rise. ABI Research projects that by 2013, over 140 million mobile users will use social networks on their phones, generating $410 million in subscription revenues in the process.

And just where will this growth be the strongest?

ABI research director Michael Wolf says, “That uptick is based on assumed acceptance levels in the giant emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Those countries are wildcards, very difficult to estimate, so we are quite conservative in our forecasts.”

Last month, ABI projected location-based social networks to generate $3.3 billion by 2013.

What do you think of these projections? Let us know in the comments!

Related Reading:
Spending on Mobile Search Ads to Reach $2bn by 2013
Global Internet Ad Spend to Exceed $106 Billion by 2011
Online Advertising to Surpass Newspaper Advertising by 2011

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 2, 2008, 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Google Courting Agencies for Advertising Beyond Search

Traditional advertising agencies have long been wary of Google. That's no surprise, really, when a company comes out of almost nowhere to change an entire industry.

And as Google has grown, the search company has expanded beyond search to create revenue streams from other all-too-lucrative advertising mediums.

Now, Google is courting agencies in an attempt to get them to divert those ad spends via Google ad products.

The New York Times features a story about how Google employees set up shop at an agency for a day to expand upon the technology and opportunities the internet giant has to offer. It wasn't a laptop-fest. Google brought couches, bean bag chairs, candy and food. This isn't your three martini lunch on Madison Avenue, but it is making an impression.

Still, many remain wary. They feel Google is just using the ad agencies to get to their clients, with an ulterior motive of stealing them away.

What do you think of Google's efforts? Let us know in the comments.

Related Reading:
Google Will Not Kill the Agency Star, Says Publicis CEO
Microsoft Continues Pursuit of Google with Navic Acquisition

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 2, 2008, 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

AdEx Acquires Online Lead Gen Firm, Bay Harbor

Online marketing company AdEx has announced the acquisition of Bay Harbor, an online lead generation firm. Bay Harbor uses a proprietary software platform to perform behavioral targeting which identifies marketers' best prospects in several financial services and other consumer interest segments.

"Bay Harbor's lead generation platform allows us to capitalize on the ever-growing online financial services sector," said Scott Rewick, Chief Executive Officer of AdEx Media. "This acquisition is synergistic with our existing business and will further enable us to meet the needs of our large customer base of advertisers, publishers, distributors, online retailers and consumers."

Related Reading:
Consumers Ok with Social Ads, But Rarely Find Them Targeted
Online Promotions: The Sleeping Beauty of Online Advertising
The Impact of User Registration on Generating Real Estate Leads

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 2, 2008, 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google OS Arrives, In the Form of a Browser

Rumors of a "Google Operating System" have been around for a few years now, fueled by Google's expansion into e-mail, analytics, desktop search, Web applications, pizza delivery...well, maybe not that.

Today, Google has made a significant step toward becoming a Web-based operating system by launching a beta version of the open-source Google Chrome browser, which has been optimized to run Web applications rather than simply rendering HTML on a page.

"All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build."

Chrome's main features include a beefed-up Javascript engine (aka V8), which will improve performance of AJAX apps like Gmail and Google Docs. It also offers better memory allocation, and an architecture that keeps apps running in separate windows as isolated processes -- so a crashed app won't bring down the browser, and security is markedly improved.

The browser includes its own URL box, which Google is calling the "Omnibox." It incorporates features from Google Suggest, browser history and search history.

As with the Google Toolbar before it, Chrome will also present an opportunity for Google to collect more user behavioral data. On the plus side, that could help Google develop better Web analytics applications. More cynically, Google can also take this mountain of user data and use it to better monetize its ad platforms.

While this move can be seen as a challenge to Microsoft on the browser front, it's more of a threat to Microsoft's Windows operating system. By developing its own open-source browser, Google is able to establish de-facto standards for Web applications.

Combined with Google Gears coming at Web applications from the developer side, and there's not much use for a desktop operating system any more.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 2, 2008, 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Google Offers Video Sharing in Business Applications Suite

Google has added video sharing to its business applications suite, Google Apps Premier Edition. The feature is being called Google Video for business and there are high expectations for the application.

Matthew Glotzbach, product management director of Google Enterprise told Reuters, "What YouTube did in the consumer world, Google Video for business is going to do in the enterprise."

Google Apps Premier Edition is $50 a year per user and includes e-mail, scheduling, Web site design capabilities, and other business software. Starting September 8, educational users can try Premier Edition free for the first 6 months and $10 a year afterwards for video capabilities.

Posted by Nathania Johnson on September 2, 2008, 8:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: 6 Tips for Small Business Marketing Success

How can the success of a sticky idea be analyzed and repeated? In his new book, SES keynote speaker Dan Heath shares some thoughts that can help marketers find success. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "6 Tips for Small Business Marketing Success," Carrie Hill looks at how these rules can be applied to small business Web marketers.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 2, 2008, 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: How Much Are You Spending on SEO?

Organic search results get many more clicks than the paid search results. And, due to the nature of SEO, you're not limited to a certain "budget." So why aren't more companies spending big bucks on SEO? In today's organic search engine optimization column, "How Much Are You Spending on SEO?," Mark Jackson examines some of the reasons for the gap between the benefits of search engine optimization and its share of marketing budgets.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 2, 2008, 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google Chrome: Google Open Source Browser

Philipp Lenssen over at Blogscoped has a detailed article about Google's browser project including a link to a great cartoon. Apparently the rumors were true and the former Mozilla employees have been busy.

Posted by Frank Watson on September 1, 2008, 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Aaron Wall and Wordtracker Publish ‘50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies'

Wordtracker has teamed up Aaron Wall to publish new e-book, “50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies,” which offers simple, smart and speedy ways to use keywords to attract more customers online.

Or, to keep the alliteration going, “50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies” is packed with pointed, practical tips that focus on what today's online marketers care about most: getting real PROFIT from keywords.

“We wanted to create a simple, readable book that got people buzzing with fresh keyword ideas—ideas they could start using right away to improve their business profit. And knowing how busy people are, we insisted that Aaron cut out the fluff and get to the meat of what you
really need to know,” said Ken McGaffin, the CMO Wordtracker.com, in a press release issued over the weekend.

“Online success is not so much about spending tons of money, but more about working hard to come up with unique, creative and useful ideas that attract and engage your audiences,” said Aaron Wall in the release.

This practical e-book gives businesses of all sizes lessons and insights that include:

-- Clever, little-known strategies for getting more valuable website visitors.

-- Outwitting competitors, and impressing clients with surefire ways to skyrocket their website traffic.

-- How to reach beyond the obvious keywords to discover terms and phrases with untapped commercial value.

-- How getting rid of words like free and discount can boost your conversion rates and get better customers.

-- How mining analytics data can be the key to uncovering valuable, low-competition keywords that bring in valuable streams of traffic.

-- How a site's search box is the key to finding profitable new keywords and content ideas as well as ideas for new products to add to a website.

Wall added, “It's not just the right keywords that guarantee your online success -- but how you use them. Most marketers tend to blindly follow the same, tired research path that everybody else follows. As a result, they miss out on all of the traffic and profits that some clever keyword thinking could bring them.”

“50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies” is available as an e-book at www.wordtracker.com/academy/kick-ass and retails at $39. Check it out.

Or, check out my interview with McGaffin at SES London 2008. It appears that one of the new groups to discover the power of keyword research is ... journalists! There goes the neighborhood.

Ken McGaffin, WordTracker, SES London 2008 Keyword Research

Posted by Greg Jarboe on September 1, 2008, 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

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