Threadwatch.org
Most wide ranging discussion of the Google "suggest" and reverse engineering...I am alos of the opinion that this tool could skew the seerps even more to high volume (and high cost) for clicks.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Friday, December 10, 2004
Site-Flavored Google Search Beta
Google Business Solutions
Users of Google search solutions can test new personalisation features...expect these to become the norm..
Users of Google search solutions can test new personalisation features...expect these to become the norm..
Google offers a suggestion
CNET News.com
"Google has launched a new feature that tries to guess what users are looking for as they type queries into a search box.
Google Suggest quietly debuted this week on the company's Labs site, which showcases Google features that 'aren't quite ready for prime time,' according to a message on the site. "
Google: "As you type, Google will offer suggestions. Use the arrow keys to navigate the results."
Google Suggest FAQ: "Google Suggest : Frequently Asked Questions "
Invisible tabs?
"Google has launched a new feature that tries to guess what users are looking for as they type queries into a search box.
Google Suggest quietly debuted this week on the company's Labs site, which showcases Google features that 'aren't quite ready for prime time,' according to a message on the site. "
Google: "As you type, Google will offer suggestions. Use the arrow keys to navigate the results."
Google Suggest FAQ: "Google Suggest : Frequently Asked Questions "
Invisible tabs?
Google Magazine Search?
internetnews.com
"Google (Quote, Chart) may have found a way to make money from its still-in-beta News service without alienating publishers, as indicated by a patent application on file with the USPTO...There are two key elements of the patent: a method for executing a permission protocol so that the publisher could authorize Google to display more text from the relevant publication; and storing scanned versions of printed documents along with data sets representing the ads that went with them.
Google's problem with its News service is that there's no way to monetize it. News publishers would cry foul if it displayed contextual ads against their content, even if it is just headlines and openers. The patent application hints at a way to take that a step further. It would cover a process of scanning printed media and displaying them as search results "as a replica of the corresponding printed media." This method would maintain a news organization's or publisher's branding -- and it also would maintain the original ads.
But fast-moving tech companies don't tend to waste time on applying for irrelevant patents, said IP attorney John Rabena, a partner at Sughrue Mion, an intellectual property law firm.
"If Google has a patent application on something, they're probably doing it now," Rabena said. In his experience, technology and software companies don't go after a lot of patents. "They tend to stick to their core technology."
A gander at Google's patent portfolio seems to bear out Rabena's theory: The search advertising giant has six applications in the pipeline, three of them filed in 2004, along with seven patents. All but two relate to search; one is for a method of serving relevant advertising and another is for a method of displaying e-mail. "
"Google (Quote, Chart) may have found a way to make money from its still-in-beta News service without alienating publishers, as indicated by a patent application on file with the USPTO...There are two key elements of the patent: a method for executing a permission protocol so that the publisher could authorize Google to display more text from the relevant publication; and storing scanned versions of printed documents along with data sets representing the ads that went with them.
Google's problem with its News service is that there's no way to monetize it. News publishers would cry foul if it displayed contextual ads against their content, even if it is just headlines and openers. The patent application hints at a way to take that a step further. It would cover a process of scanning printed media and displaying them as search results "as a replica of the corresponding printed media." This method would maintain a news organization's or publisher's branding -- and it also would maintain the original ads.
But fast-moving tech companies don't tend to waste time on applying for irrelevant patents, said IP attorney John Rabena, a partner at Sughrue Mion, an intellectual property law firm.
"If Google has a patent application on something, they're probably doing it now," Rabena said. In his experience, technology and software companies don't go after a lot of patents. "They tend to stick to their core technology."
A gander at Google's patent portfolio seems to bear out Rabena's theory: The search advertising giant has six applications in the pipeline, three of them filed in 2004, along with seven patents. All but two relate to search; one is for a method of serving relevant advertising and another is for a method of displaying e-mail. "
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Google Guy: how to get great results: "look at your logs, not your rankings"
Searchenginewatch forum
"I advise people to spend less time on their toolbar PR, rankings, or a single keyword phrase and more time seeing how they do across several search engines, seeing if they can be relevant for diverse phrases, and on looking at their logs to figure out what keywords users are typing to really find the site". And I'd compress that down to "look at your logs, not your rankings." There's often more interesting stuff to learn in one's server logs and by thinking about how surfers use your site.
"I advise people to spend less time on their toolbar PR, rankings, or a single keyword phrase and more time seeing how they do across several search engines, seeing if they can be relevant for diverse phrases, and on looking at their logs to figure out what keywords users are typing to really find the site". And I'd compress that down to "look at your logs, not your rankings." There's often more interesting stuff to learn in one's server logs and by thinking about how surfers use your site.
"Google Introduces Animated Ads"
MediaDailyNews 12-09-04
Google announced it will now allow eye-catching animated GIF banners throughout its AdSense network for publishers. Google intends to continue charging advertisers on a cost-per-performance basis--Some analysts criticized the move, saying that it's a mistake for Google to use a cost-per-click pricing model charge for banner ads--which can have a branding value even if consumers don't click on them. Sometimes, especially with streaming and rich media banners, advertisers don't even call on consumers to take any direct action. For this reason, banners are traditionally sold based on cost-per-thousand impression basis.
The danger faced by Google is that advertisers will get the branding benefits of banner ads, but won't have to pay because consumers might not click on them.
Google announced it will now allow eye-catching animated GIF banners throughout its AdSense network for publishers. Google intends to continue charging advertisers on a cost-per-performance basis--Some analysts criticized the move, saying that it's a mistake for Google to use a cost-per-click pricing model charge for banner ads--which can have a branding value even if consumers don't click on them. Sometimes, especially with streaming and rich media banners, advertisers don't even call on consumers to take any direct action. For this reason, banners are traditionally sold based on cost-per-thousand impression basis.
The danger faced by Google is that advertisers will get the branding benefits of banner ads, but won't have to pay because consumers might not click on them.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Google & Authority Sites: Tourism Example
SiteProNews
In an article about writing content for Google Jim Hedger also discusses the concept of authority sites giving a tourism related example to illustrate how the concept relates to linking:
He theorises that Google is becoming more strict about link-relevance stating that "to postively affect ranking the pages or sites linked together must relate to each other in topic as well as by sharing similar keywords."
His example is regional tourism as a topic.
"A local tourism bureau will almost certainly have a website. That site will link to the sites of member-clients in its region. Each of those sites represent businesses dependent on regional tourism, thus establishing relevance between the sites. The tourism bureau becomes the "hub" from which Google follows links to other, topically related websites. In this way, the Hub site becomes a highly positive link-reference in Google's eyes."
In an article about writing content for Google Jim Hedger also discusses the concept of authority sites giving a tourism related example to illustrate how the concept relates to linking:
He theorises that Google is becoming more strict about link-relevance stating that "to postively affect ranking the pages or sites linked together must relate to each other in topic as well as by sharing similar keywords."
His example is regional tourism as a topic.
"A local tourism bureau will almost certainly have a website. That site will link to the sites of member-clients in its region. Each of those sites represent businesses dependent on regional tourism, thus establishing relevance between the sites. The tourism bureau becomes the "hub" from which Google follows links to other, topically related websites. In this way, the Hub site becomes a highly positive link-reference in Google's eyes."
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Toolbar PageRank is dead, long live PageRank...
JohnGalt That's not my real name... put the cat amongst the pigeons with his post at forums.searchenginewatch "Google says: Toolbar PageRank is for entertainment purposes only..."
He claims to have received the following from a Google rep...""The PageRank that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is for entertainment purposes only. Due to repeated attempts by hackers to access this data, Google updates the PageRank data very infrequently because is it not secure. On average, the PR that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is several months old. If the toolbar is showing a PR of zero, this is because the user is visiting a new URL that hasn't been updated in the last update. The PR that is displayed by the Google Toolbar is not the same PR that is used to rank the webpage results so there is no need to be concerned if your PR is displayed as zero. If a site is showing up in the search results, it doesn't not have a real PR of zero, the Toolbar is just out of date"
The amount of hot air this has generated in a flurry of forum posts indicates that PageRank mania (severe cases of OCD) is still crippling those who hold the delusional belief that the little green line is the holy grail..
Googleguy chips in at seoroundtable
with a refutation which is not wholly convincing and sends the commentators into a dizzy spin trying to interpret what he really means...
Perhaps a tad more helpful are the "facts" that bobmutch posts about the redundancy of the PR toolbar at Threadwatch.org "Toolbar PR used to be updated every month up until Jun 22/2004 when PR went for 106 days without an update (longest on record before that was Aug 8/2003 and Oct 22/2000 at 54 days)... We currently haven't have a Toolbar PR update for 57 days, a BL update for 7 days (Nov 25) and a Google Directory PR update for 35 days (Oct 28).
He claims to have received the following from a Google rep...""The PageRank that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is for entertainment purposes only. Due to repeated attempts by hackers to access this data, Google updates the PageRank data very infrequently because is it not secure. On average, the PR that is displayed in the Google Toolbar is several months old. If the toolbar is showing a PR of zero, this is because the user is visiting a new URL that hasn't been updated in the last update. The PR that is displayed by the Google Toolbar is not the same PR that is used to rank the webpage results so there is no need to be concerned if your PR is displayed as zero. If a site is showing up in the search results, it doesn't not have a real PR of zero, the Toolbar is just out of date"
The amount of hot air this has generated in a flurry of forum posts indicates that PageRank mania (severe cases of OCD) is still crippling those who hold the delusional belief that the little green line is the holy grail..
Googleguy chips in at seoroundtable
with a refutation which is not wholly convincing and sends the commentators into a dizzy spin trying to interpret what he really means...
Perhaps a tad more helpful are the "facts" that bobmutch posts about the redundancy of the PR toolbar at Threadwatch.org "Toolbar PR used to be updated every month up until Jun 22/2004 when PR went for 106 days without an update (longest on record before that was Aug 8/2003 and Oct 22/2000 at 54 days)... We currently haven't have a Toolbar PR update for 57 days, a BL update for 7 days (Nov 25) and a Google Directory PR update for 35 days (Oct 28).
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Google groups : Google modernizes Net community service
CNET News.com
"Google has enhanced its discussion-group service, Google Groups, and on Thursday will make the updates widely available to Web surfers. The new service lets people create e-mail discussion groups and mine information from them, and builds on the company's Web-based groups."
Link: Google Groups Beta
"Google has enhanced its discussion-group service, Google Groups, and on Thursday will make the updates widely available to Web surfers. The new service lets people create e-mail discussion groups and mine information from them, and builds on the company's Web-based groups."
Link: Google Groups Beta
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Friday, November 26, 2004
Google Quality Rater (Temp)
Google Job Opportunities
"Google, Inc., the search engine company based in Mountain View, California, is recruiting part-time remote workers to help with search quality evaluation on a project basis. Candidates must be web-savvy and analytical, have excellent web research skills and a broad range of interests. Specific areas of expertise are highly desirable.
Participants in web evaluation projects must have a high speed internet connection. All applicants must be U.S. or Canada based and must have the corresponding work permit."
The above job advert provoked speculation by inlogicalbearer at searchenginewatch forum that Google is going to "add humans to algo, to track down spammers."
Dave Hawley comments: "Now I can see how Google rumours spread like Chinese Whispers"
"Google, Inc., the search engine company based in Mountain View, California, is recruiting part-time remote workers to help with search quality evaluation on a project basis. Candidates must be web-savvy and analytical, have excellent web research skills and a broad range of interests. Specific areas of expertise are highly desirable.
Participants in web evaluation projects must have a high speed internet connection. All applicants must be U.S. or Canada based and must have the corresponding work permit."
The above job advert provoked speculation by inlogicalbearer at searchenginewatch forum that Google is going to "add humans to algo, to track down spammers."
Dave Hawley comments: "Now I can see how Google rumours spread like Chinese Whispers"
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Net Stocks: Google sliding
Net Stocks: Google sliding as insiders sell $1 bln worth
"Google shares slid below $163 on Monday, the week after 39 million shares became available for sale, including nearly $1 billion of shares sold by venture backers."
"Google shares slid below $163 on Monday, the week after 39 million shares became available for sale, including nearly $1 billion of shares sold by venture backers."
Forbes.com: Adult Site Sues Google for Infringment
Forbes.com: Adult Site Sues Google for Infringment: "Google displays the images from rogue Web sites operated in foreign countries, according to Perfect 10's lawsuit. The search engine also provides links to password hacking sites that provide ways to gain illegal access to Perfect 10's Web site, the suit alleges.
Perfect 10 publisher Norm Zada said he is targeting Google because the company is using the allure of naked women to draw more visitors to its site and generate more advertising revenue.
He said he fears his company, which claims 100,000 unique visitors a month to its Web site, will be driven out of business unless Google is forced to stop distributing the 'free peeks.' "
Perfect 10 publisher Norm Zada said he is targeting Google because the company is using the allure of naked women to draw more visitors to its site and generate more advertising revenue.
He said he fears his company, which claims 100,000 unique visitors a month to its Web site, will be driven out of business unless Google is forced to stop distributing the 'free peeks.' "
Monday, November 22, 2004
Google Muscles Into Microsoft's Turf
Forbes.com
"Marissa Mayer, Google's director of consumer Web products, said the company's goal is to organize information and make it universally accessible, and that goes far beyond search. "
Web search isn't the only place where Microsoft is playing catch-up:
Internet browser toolbar that blocks pop-up ads and enables search launched years after Google had created its own.
And after Google announced plans for Gmail Microsoft said it would boost free memory on its Hotmail accounts no details yet.
Microsoft also has promised its own system for searching desktop computers...Google launched its desktop search product last month and said users should expect more improvements to that product.
Ad delivery, where Microsoft recently extended through June 2006 a contract for Yahoo Inc./ Overture paid ads... Ad placement alongside search results is Google's main cash cow...
David Smith, a vice president with Gartner Inc., says the chain of events illustrates that Google is proving to be customer-driven while Microsoft tends to be more driven by competitive threats.
Google opened an office in Kirkland, not far from Microsoft's Redmond campus...
"Marissa Mayer, Google's director of consumer Web products, said the company's goal is to organize information and make it universally accessible, and that goes far beyond search. "
Web search isn't the only place where Microsoft is playing catch-up:
Internet browser toolbar that blocks pop-up ads and enables search launched years after Google had created its own.
And after Google announced plans for Gmail Microsoft said it would boost free memory on its Hotmail accounts no details yet.
Microsoft also has promised its own system for searching desktop computers...Google launched its desktop search product last month and said users should expect more improvements to that product.
Ad delivery, where Microsoft recently extended through June 2006 a contract for Yahoo Inc./ Overture paid ads... Ad placement alongside search results is Google's main cash cow...
David Smith, a vice president with Gartner Inc., says the chain of events illustrates that Google is proving to be customer-driven while Microsoft tends to be more driven by competitive threats.
Google opened an office in Kirkland, not far from Microsoft's Redmond campus...
Friday, November 19, 2004
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Forbes.com: : Google Shares Fall
Forbes.com:
"Shares of Google Inc. slipped Thursday after the world's most popular Internet search engine warned for the second time in a week that its fourth-quarter revenue growth rate is likely to slow from previous quarters"
"Shares of Google Inc. slipped Thursday after the world's most popular Internet search engine warned for the second time in a week that its fourth-quarter revenue growth rate is likely to slow from previous quarters"
Google launches search for scholars | CNET News.com
Could this be the first big move to separate "pure/ academic" search from the commercially tainted version?
Google launches search for scholars | CNET News.com: "Google on Wednesday unveiled Google Scholar, a new search product aimed at helping users search scholarly literature such as technical reports, theses and abstracts. "
It will have specially tailored search algorithms according to Anurag Acharya, a principal engineer at Google
It will not initially carry Web search advertisements although "web search advertising accounts for almost all of Google's revenue, which was $805.9 million in the third quarter."
The New York Times: reports that the service "is intended as a first stop for researchers looking for scholarly literature like peer-reviewed papers, books, abstracts and technical reports. "
NY Times quotes Mr. Acharya as saying " his motivation, in part, had been a desire to help the academic community from which Google emerged...Google as a company has greatly benefited from academic research and this is one of the ways we can give back to the community."
Danny Sullivan, SearchWatchEngine editor, comments that Google was certain to have competition soon from Yahoo and others."We will continue to see an explosion of vertical search engines like this," he said of search services that focus on special collections."
Google launches search for scholars | CNET News.com: "Google on Wednesday unveiled Google Scholar, a new search product aimed at helping users search scholarly literature such as technical reports, theses and abstracts. "
It will have specially tailored search algorithms according to Anurag Acharya, a principal engineer at Google
It will not initially carry Web search advertisements although "web search advertising accounts for almost all of Google's revenue, which was $805.9 million in the third quarter."
The New York Times: reports that the service "is intended as a first stop for researchers looking for scholarly literature like peer-reviewed papers, books, abstracts and technical reports. "
NY Times quotes Mr. Acharya as saying " his motivation, in part, had been a desire to help the academic community from which Google emerged...Google as a company has greatly benefited from academic research and this is one of the ways we can give back to the community."
Danny Sullivan, SearchWatchEngine editor, comments that Google was certain to have competition soon from Yahoo and others."We will continue to see an explosion of vertical search engines like this," he said of search services that focus on special collections."
Google launches Keyhole : Next Generation Mapping
Keyhole "technology enables you to point and fly to hundreds of US and international cities. Zoom down to detail showing individual buildings, search for existing businesses by name or category, even fly to a specific address... can easily import lists of buildings, overlays showing demographic trends, proposed developments, and even site plans. The powerful XML-based collaboration capability in Keyhole 2 allows you to share lists of locations, with custom icons and detailed descriptions, with a single click. Keyhole’s streaming technology does the heavy lifting, putting your data in the context of detailed imagery, 3D terrain, and map data."
Google keeping quiet about any plans for integrating Keyhole: "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Keyhole's technology and products are an excellent addition to our efforts to do that. We do not have any announced plans regarding how this technology will integrate with our current products and services..." local search is my tip....
Google keeping quiet about any plans for integrating Keyhole: "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Keyhole's technology and products are an excellent addition to our efforts to do that. We do not have any announced plans regarding how this technology will integrate with our current products and services..." local search is my tip....
Monday, November 15, 2004
Google Desktop Security Warning Issued
Businesses need policies re desktop search tools: "Two analysts issued independent warnings today suggesting Google's Desktop Search tool -- released in October -- poses security risks for the enterprise. "
Dana Hendrickson, an analyst at VPN Central warns "The most significant threat is when desktop search is used while connected to a virtual private network (VPN)"
Meta Group analyst "Hickernell told internetnews.com that the desktop will be the next battlefront in the search engine wars -- and a new front in the battle for corporate security. Google Desktop Search lets users search documents, spreadsheets, e-mail, instant messages and Web pages that have been visited by that PC. To enable this, it creates cached versions of Web content -- which could include sensitive corporate information stored on servers and accessed via a Web interface.
Dana Hendrickson, an analyst at VPN Central warns "The most significant threat is when desktop search is used while connected to a virtual private network (VPN)"
Meta Group analyst "Hickernell told internetnews.com that the desktop will be the next battlefront in the search engine wars -- and a new front in the battle for corporate security. Google Desktop Search lets users search documents, spreadsheets, e-mail, instant messages and Web pages that have been visited by that PC. To enable this, it creates cached versions of Web content -- which could include sensitive corporate information stored on servers and accessed via a Web interface.
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