October 7, 2009
6 Google Stories for Wednesday, October 7, 2009
There was a ton of news about Google today (in addition to the two [see here and here] we've already covered today), so let's dive right in:
Search Options was released on the mobile version of web search for Android, iPhone, and Palm WebOS. By the way, that's the second time in a week where a mobile update is for those three types of devices. Blackberry and Nokia phones are noticeably missing while omitting Windows Mobile is no real surprise.
Google Maps released a major update, with improved details for parks, bike paths, and college campuses.
The Google Webmaster Central team is proposing new standards for making AJAX sites crawlable.
PDFs in Google's search results are getting the "Quick View" treatment. Since July, Google has added the option, which is based on the same technology used in Google docs, to 50% of the PDFs in their index.
Google is testing Cloudboard, as pointed out by a great post over at Google Operating System. Cloudboard is an online clipboard that would enable copying between Google services including GMail and Google docs.
Google held a press conference today (a response to Microsoft Open House?) and mostly told reporters a bunch of stuff we all already know. Here are a couple of tidbits that stood out: They talked up the new Verizon agreement to sell Android mobile phones. They said the prices publishers set for their own content don't affect SERPs but that traffic could indicate which content is more relevant for searchers. Otherwise, it was your regular Google stuff - defending their book settlement (which they're re-negotiating), defending their luxurious culture in a recession, and how they're good not evil (like Microsoft is, don't ya know?!).
Posted by Nathania Johnson on October 7, 2009, 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Twitter User Arrested For Helping Pittsburgh Protesters Evade Police
A New York man was arrested for assisting protesters at the Pittsburgh G20 Summit to evade police by sending out Twitter messages, the guardian.co.uk reported.
The police were monitoring Twitter messages of protesters, the online newspaper noted.
Elliot Madison, 41, from Queens, and Michael Wallschlaeger, 46, were tracked to the Carefree Inn motel in Pittsburgh, though the newspaper reported Madison was arrested at his home.
"The pair were found sitting in front of a bank of laptops and emergency frequency radio scanners. They were wearing headphones and microphones and had many maps and contact numbers in the room.
Official police documents allege the two men used Twitter messages to contact protesters at the summit "and to inform the protesters and groups of the movements and actions of law enforcement," the newspaper reported.
An interesting use of Twitter by both sides - guess the protesters should have been more aware of the possibility the police could also have access to the communications - obviously they were not using direct messaging.
Guess the authorities in Iran had not thought of this.
Posted by Frank Watson on October 7, 2009, 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
This Breaking News Just In - The Meta Keywords Tag is Still Dead!
At SMX East this week, Cris Pierry, the Senior Director of Yahoo! Search, surprised everyone by saying that Yahoo! had stopped supporting the Meta Keywords Tag several months ago.
Google has never supported the Meta Keywords Tag and Bing doesn't support it, either.
So, I think I can safely say, "The Meta Keywords Tag is still dead."
Actually, the first to notice that it had died was Andrew Goodman of Traffick, who declared way back on my September 2, 2002, "An End to Metatags (Enough Already, Part 1)". He observed, "If somebody would just declare the end of the metatag era, full stop, it would make it easier on everyone."
On October 1, 2002, Danny Sullivan, provided a second opinion in Search Engine Watch in "Death of A Meta Tag." He declared, "In my opinion, the meta keywords tag is dead, dead, dead."
Nevertheless, Inktomi and then Yahoo! Search continued to support the meta keywords tag, so some search engine optimizers continued using it, although it didn't have significant impact.
Time passed, Sullivan left Search Engine Watch to start Search Engine Land and Search Marketing Expo, and way too many search engine optimizers continued using the Meta Keywords Tag because there's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead.
But, now Pierry has officially notified the next of kin.
So, I think the entire search industry can stop using the Meta Keywords Tag -- just as Chevy Chase has stopped saying, "This breaking news just in - Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead!"
I can't wait to tell the public relations agencies and PR departments that don't want to include keywords in their headline or lead paragraph. They mistakenly think that their newswire can automatically sprinkle Meta Keywords Tags over an unedited press release like pixie dust and magically optimize it for Google News or Yahoo! News.
I've long recommended using top search keywords in headlines and at least the first 100 words of optimized press releases. However, since Yahoo! News paid even minor attention to the Meta Keywords Tag, just as Yahoo! Search did, it was hard to get some to change their behavior.
Even those who realized that top search keywords actually need to appear high up in very visible locations, had trouble dealing with the death of the Meta Keywords Tag. They would go through the five stages of grief described in the book by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, "On Death and Dying." They are:
1. Denial (This isn't happening to me!)
2. Anger (Why is this happening to me?)
3. Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...)
4. Depression (I don't care anymore.)
5. Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes.)
But, now I can stay the meta keywords tag is dead, dead, dead.
And now, as a public service to those of our viewers who have difficulty with their hearing, I will repeat the top story of the day, aided by Senior Vice President of content for Search Engine Watch, ClickZ, and Search Engine Strategies, Mike Grehan.
Greg Jarboe: "Our top story tonight.."
Mike Grehan: [ screaming ] "Our top story tonight..!"
Greg Jarboe: "..The Meta Keywords Tag.."
Mike Grehan: [ screaming ] "..The Meta Keywords Tag..!"
Greg Jarboe: "..is still dead."
Mike Grehan: "..is still dead!"
Greg Jarboe: Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Mike Grehan: [ screaming ] Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow!
Posted by Greg Jarboe on October 7, 2009, 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Google Tests Homepage That's Even More Minimalistic
Over at TechCrunch, a reader tipped them to a new test by Google - to go even more minimalistic on their homepage. The test involves hiding everything on the homepage, save for the Google logo and the search box.
The links for Advertising Programs, Business Solutions, etc. are apparently still there, but unnoticed unless you mouseover them.
The buttons for "Google Search" and "I'm Feeling Lucky" are removed completely, however.
As this is just a test, only a small amount of users will see it. It will be interesting to see if Google goes even more white space in the future.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on October 7, 2009, 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Yahoo!: We Still Care About Search and Here's How
Yahoo! is addressing the post-Microsoft search deal sentiment that they've given up on search. Over on their Search Marketing blog, they're talking about things to come in the paid search space.
Rich Ads in Search - Yahoo! says their initial tests have improved click-through rates as much as 25%. This month, they'll expand rich ads in search to large brand advertisers. If you do get access, it's ultimately the conversion rate that matters the most, so keep that in mind.
Ad Delivery Report - Launched last month, the report allows you to see which ads appear on partner sites. It also allows you to block sites that aren't converting well for you.
New Web Search - Just a couple of weeks ago, Yahoo! rolled out their new search. The biggest change was the UI, which featured a new 3 column look.
Network Distribution - Coming next year will allow you to separate bids for Yahoo! and partner channels.
Yahoo! Search Marketing Desktop - Also coming next year, this will allow you to manage search ad campaigns offline. The tool is currently in beta and if you're interested in testing it, you can sign up here.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on October 7, 2009, 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
