November 3, 2009
Digging into Google Analytics for Mobile Applications
Last week, Google Analytics expanded to offer reporting features for mobile applications on the iPhone and Android. But how does it work for mobile applications (or parts of mobile apps) that don't render HTML pages?
Google says mobile app developers can tell Google Analytics what actions taken by users would trigger the analytics tracking. Google uses those triggers to determine views, session lengths, and bounce rates.
Developers can also use Event Tracking to track actions such as watching a video, clicking a button or conducting a download.
The data provided by Google Analytics for mobile apps can be highly useful for developers as they choose to enhance and update their apps over time. It can also inform future app development by helping developers meet customer needs and desires.
Check out this video on how online real estate brokerage Redfin used Google Analytics to track their mobile application.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Google AdWords Launches Ad Sitelinks
Google is introducing sitelinks to AdWords. If you're not familiar, sitelinks are links to pages deeper on a website. We've seen them in organic results for quite awhile.
Ad Sitelinks are only being launched to advertisers that meet a high-quality threshold. If your account qualifies, go to your Campaign Settings Tab, then to the "Ad extensions" section. Look for "Show additional links to my site."
Here's a sample ad provided by the Inside AdWords blog (click to enlarge):
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Bing Ships New Imagery to Maps
Bing has released new imagery on maps. The new release features high-resolution imagery - 15-30 centimeter - for the US, Canada and the UK. One of the biggest imagery updates? Vancouver - home to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
It looks pretty good...
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Google Related Links Returns - to Labs
Google is bringing Related Links back, but in limited fashion. You can demo the tool, but if you want complete access, you need to request an invitation to the Labs version by sending an email to relatedlinks@google.com.
What Related Links does is find similar links to a URL that you enter. I demo-ed the tool using my last blog post, about new Google AdWords templates.
Here's what happened.
I wouldn't say the list of related links is the best. You could do a search in Google for "site:http://blog.searchenginewatch.com display ad builder" and come up with better results. But I guess that's why it's in Labs. It will be interesting to see if it improves.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Google AdWords Unveils Holiday-Themed Templates for Display Ad Builder
The holiday season is upon us and Google AdWords wants to help you get your display ads ready. They've just released new holiday-themed templates for Display Ad Builder. Here are some examples:
Google launched Display Ad Builder a year ago and have been adding templates ever since.
Still not convinced that display ads are a viable marketing option? There's plenty of data to show that display advertising gives search a lift.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Bing Mobile App Available for BlackBerry Storm
On the heels of releasing a more optimized mobile browser search experience, Bing is now releasing its mobile app for Verizon BlackBerry Storm users.
Updates include:
- Map Your Way quick access to maps, driving directions and traffic information, plus an improved auto-locate feature.
- Quick Answers save favorite searches on a customizable mobile homepage.
- Act Locally quickly find information on local businesses.
- Type Less, Search More voice search feature.
Posted by Nathania Johnson on November 3, 2009, 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Google Gets Patent For Search Results Based on Query, Click Behavior
Bill Slawski reports on a new Google patent that manipulates search results based on query patterns and click results. As Bill explains Google can track when people search for a few related terms and then click on a specific page and develop aggregated information when this action is repeated and give a higher ranking for sites that the group clicks on most often.
Seems like a form of behavioral targeting to me and also gives insight in to how Google is working to take the users' preferences to provide better results. Downside would be that now know people can manipulate this one fairly easily. One wonders if they plan to apply this to Adwords as an addition to their Quality Score or even other advertising mediums.
What it does show is that Google is aggregating search actions and want to use the information, if they are not already. The patent is just making sure the method is theirs.
Posted by Frank Watson on November 3, 2009, 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Google Tells FCC Only Restricting Adult Chat, Free Conference Call Lines
In response to claims by ATT that Google Voice were blocking calls, unlike other regulated services that must allow the calls that local carriers chrage high prices for, Google "engineers have developed a tailored solution for restricting calls to specific numbers engaged in what some have called high-cost "traffic pumping" schemes, like adult chat and "free" conference call lines," their Public Policy blog stated.
Bi-partisans from both the Republican and Democratic parties have also called for a probe into the restricted calls.
Google has found that as much as 26% of their expenses for Voice come from a 100 of these "traffic pumping schemes" and called upon the FCC to fix these loop holes that allow companies to make money at the expense of the carriers.
"While we've developed a fix to address this problem, the bottom line is that we still believe the Commission needs to repair our nation's broken carrier compensation system. The current system simply does not serve consumers well and these types of schemes point up the pressing need for reform," Google Telecom and Media Counsel Richard Whitt said.
Posted by Frank Watson on November 3, 2009, 1:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
