"We are trying to understand what the user is trying to do right now…In some cases, those queries are ambiguous, so you need a little more context...

It is probably not just the previous query that matters...You want to know if the user is still doing the same thing. You wouldn't want to go back a month. You wouldn't want to go back a day. But you may want to go back two or three queries."

Posted by Rene LeMerle at 12:21 PM GMT | View Post | 1 Comments

So you have your website but just can't seem to get good ranking in Google's search results. Well, if you're a DIY search engine optimizer then what's best way to fix this?

This is the questions that USA Today recently asked Google engineer and active blogger, Matt Cutts.

Matt has outlined 5 basic yet vital tips to optimize your site so that Google can find it.

So I bet you want to know these tips, don't you? Well, here they are, straight from the expert's mouth:

1. Spotlight your search term on the page.

"Think about what people are going to type in to try and find you," Cutts says. Matt's example is of meeting a chiropractor from San Diego who complained that his site couldn't be found easily using Google search. The words "San Diego chiropractor" weren't listed anywhere on the site. "You have to make sure the keywords are on the page," Cutts says. So it's best to let people know so immediately what your business is, at the top of your page.

2. Fill in your "tags."

Title and description tags are crucial, Cutts says, because they are shown in search results most often.

3. Get other sites to "link" back to you.

Google ranks sites based on popularity. Cutts says it looks at more than 100 pieces of data to determine a site's ranking.

4. Create a blog and post often.

Cutts says blogging is a great way to add links and start a conversation with customers and friends. With a blog, you can link back to your site and offer links to others. It's also a great way to start building content, Cutts says.

5. Register for free tools. Google's google.com/webmaster offers freebies to help get your site found.

Google's Local Business center (google.com/local/add) is the place for business owners to submit a site so it shows up in local searches, with a map attached.

The final word... Cutts says not to overdo it. In other words, don't cram your pages full of keywords. This is called "keyword stuffing" and it's a big no-no from Google who will have your site removed from the index if it is practiced.

So there you have it, 5 vital SEO tips straight from someone who lives and breaths Google and SEO.

As I mentioned these are just some of the basic SEO techniques that you can use to better your ranking. However, if you want to get really serious about boosting your Google ranking then look no further than G-Boost, which will help build your Google ranking with 5 new backlinks each month!

Posted by Courtney Mills at 6:05 AM GMT | View Post | 1 Comments

Internet for Everyone is an initiative by public interest, civic and industry groups in the US whose goal is to give open broadband access for every American and Google has stepped in to lend a hand.

The campaign is based on four principles: Access, Choice, Openness and Innovation and the reason why Google has joined in is because "making the Internet accessible to more Americans is part of our corporate DNA." states Richard Whitt, Google's Washington Telecom and Media Counsel.

Whitt explains that "we must develop a comprehensive, forward-looking national innovation strategy to address and forestall America's technological decline. The Net's future has every potential to be bright, but it will happen only if we ensure that everyone has access to its broadband on-ramps."

Considering that nearly 20 million Americans live in areas that are not served by a single broadband provider this certainly is a great initiative to make internet access available for all. I hope that Google can really help make an impact in this campaign as it helps all Americans.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 6:03 AM GMT | View Post | 0 Comments

We recently reported on Google being sued by Viacom and it seems that the search giant has come under attack again, but this time over stolen trade secrets.

LimitNone, a small Chicago- based software company, claims Google has taken trade secrets from the company and violated consumer fraud law.

The dispute centers around a LimitNone-developed tool that allows people to move Microsoft Office calendar items and email to the Google platform. LimitNone claims it showed this tool to the Google Apps team in early 2007 and were repeatedly assured that Google would not roll out a competing product.

They allege that Google stole trade secrets from LimitNone and violated fraud law by coercing LimitNone to share confidential information. Information which Google later used to develop its competing product, Google Email Uploader.

Ray Glassman, LimitNone CEO said in a prepared statement that "Google claims its core philosophy is 'Don't be evil' but, simply put, they invited us to work with them, to trust them -- and then stole our technology,"

Google is yet to make any comment regarding this lawsuit but when they do we will certainly let you know.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 5:55 AM GMT | View Post | 1 Comments

Within days of the 3G iPhone announcement, Yahoo! has made its own announcement in the mobile space. Yahoo! has extended the reach of its mobile services, by signing of a number of key advertising partnerships with Australasian telecos. Having announced partnerships with India's MTNL, Hong Kong based CSL and others, Yahoo! has also launched "Yahoo Go 3.0" in to Australia, India and South East Asia.

The Go 3.0 software allows users to access a variety of online services straight from their phone, such as photos, news, weather and finance in their local language. As part of the deal, Yahoo! OneSearch will be the default search option for mobile users on those networks.

Mobile is certainly an important growing space and winning market share is critical. It is vital for the major search engines as it allows them to reach more eyeballs through a different medium, but perhaps more importantly for the teleco's, it drives increased usage of their data networks (over and above just voice and text) and that means new revenue.

The Yahoo! deal is a key strategic move for the fledgling search engine, however it has been undermined by the introduction of the 3G iPhone in the Australasia market. As the vast majority of networks through Australasia run on the GSM framework, with most having 3G capabilities, the 3G iPhone will have an immediate impact on the effectiveness of this deal, as users choose the iPhone over other mobile platforms. 3G provides high speed internet to mobile devices.

I predict the adoption rates in Australasia of the 3G iPhone will mirror that of the iPhone when first introduced into the USA. Thousands of users will move across to an iPhone which already has a great mobile browser, effectively making the need for OneSearch, and Go redundant. The default search engine for the iPhone is in fact Google which is not surprising given that Google's CEO sits on the Apple board.

Whilst it is possible to change the default search engine (to change your default settings on an iphone follow these simple instructions - http://www.tuaw.com/2007/08/31/iphone-101-change-your-default-search-engine/) most users are lazy and will go with the default. That alone will prevent Yahoo and MSN from accessing a huge number of users - at least Microsoft have their own smartphone operating system and can steer users to their web properties via that, leaving Yahoo! to try to secure deals with whoever is left over.

Posted by Warren Duff at 4:19 AM GMT | View Post | 0 Comments

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has told us that YouTube is still not making them any money.

In an interview with The New Yorker, Schmidt said that it "seemed obvious" that they should be able to generate "significant amounts of money" from YouTube. But they've still not yet accomplished this. However, he remains optimistic saying that the site could lead to "the creation of a whole new industry," and that his optimism was based on two facts: "We know people are watching it" and "We have the luxury of time to invest."

Just last month, Google introduced a new YouTube advertising program called Buzz Targeting in an attempt to monetize YouTube.

The company is hoping it can use the site to expand into other types of web-based ads, including those which exploit the rapidly expanding popularity of internet video.

YouTube is visited by 129 million people each month so you would assume it certainly has the potential to earn revenue.

Making YouTube profitable was one of Google's biggest goals this year and seeing as though we are already in June this may be one goal that just falls to the wayside.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 4:49 AM GMT | View Post | 0 Comments

If you live in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway or Sweden and have always dreamed of working at Microsoft, then your dreams might just be about to come true.

Microsoft has announced plans to open a search technology center in Europe.

In an effort to bolster its Live Search efforts, Microsoft plan to open the new center sometime during Microsoft's next fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

Kevin Johnson, Microsoft President of Platforms & Services explains more:

As I stated in my May 18 memo about our Online Services strategy, today Microsoft has 68 percent reach to Internet users throughout Europe through our online assets and strengths in display advertising; however, we're not yet where we'd like to be in search in this critical geography. Success in search in Europe is paramount, and we see the investment in this new Search Technology Center as an important step in doubling down on our long-term investments.

We are yet to see an announcement on the location of the center, but it is being modeled on Microsoft's Search Technology Center in Beijing, China, which opened in 2005.

Through these centers, Microsoft is looking to dive deep into understanding the consumer search habits, methods, preferences of European searchers.

"Searchers have different expectations and experiences in every geography in the world, so we believe it is critical to make deep investments in physical locations in multiple markets to ensure that we're applying the best local expertise to our research and development efforts," states Satya Nadella, Microsoft Senior Vice President of Search, Portal and Advertising.

There is no doubt that Microsoft will be banking on a great return on such a large investment. If it succeeds I think this could be the shape of things to come for Microsoft Search in the future.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 4:46 AM GMT | View Post | 1 Comments

The keyword selection process is close to one of the most important parts when it comes to creating your PPC ad's, so you want to ensure that you get it right.

Selecting the correct keywords for your campaign is essential. It's no use paying for underperforming keywords that will just run your campaign funds dry.

So you want to know which keywords are classified as the "right keywords"? Then check out the follow tips.

1. Start with a List

Generate a list of keywords based on words defining your product, location, product/services etc. Carefully consider what terms users are likely to use in searching for your products/services. It is essential to use the keywords searchers use, rather than the ones you and your organization use to describe your product/service.

2. Choose Specific but Not Popular Keywords

You'll need to select keywords that are specific to your product or service offering, but you need to be careful not to select keywords that are extremely popular, as this may deplete your PPC funds sooner than expected.

3. Use Phrases instead of single words.

You stand a better chance of winning the search engine wars as this helps to narrow down exactly what people are searching for.

4. Consider misspelled keywords

Everyone makes mistakes when they are typing, so who's to say that your searchers don't make this same mistake when typing in search queries – take advantage of this.

5. Constantly Change Your Keywords

Keywords should be evaluated frequently for performance. This can be done by reviewing your website statistics to see which terms are being effective in driving traffic to your website.

So don't waste your hard earned money on keywords that just won't give you customers. Take these tips into account when evaluating your keywords and see the customers start knocking down your door.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 4:41 AM GMT | View Post | 0 Comments

Sick of sites that force you to sit through a Flash splash screen intro in order to get to the homepage? Well Google agrees with you and are now offering a "Skip Intro" link to save you.

Philipp Lenssen from Google Blogoscoped first noticed the "Skip Intro" when conducting a search for "yuasa france".

By clicking on the "Skip Intro" link you will bypass the splash screen and be taken directly to the homepage.

Andy Beal from Marketing Pilgrim has a theory on this new feature.

"At first glance, you might think it's being triggered because it's the only initial link on the Flash landing page. However, upon review of the actual web page, the link text actually says "Entrez"-it's a French site."

No matter how Google actually does it, it's great news for all of us who really don't like sitting through a websites Flash intro.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 12:43 AM GMT | View Post | 0 Comments

It has recently been uncovered that Google is blocking the use of PayPal for payments.

The Washington Post uncovered that the Google App Engine, the new platform for building and hosting 3^rd party applications, was not allowing the integration of PayPal payment handling.

The problem, as stated by the Washington Post, is that "developers who are building apps that use PayPal to handle payments usually require the application to send a request to the PayPal service. The URL's used in these requests are all on the paypal.com domain name, and there is a test environment setup on a URL at www.sandbox.paypal.com. In Google App Engine applications, requests to either of these URL's returns a generic 'download' error with no specific details."

Considering that Google has its own payments system - Google Checkout - could this be just an honest mistake, or is there something more sinister going on here?

There was quite a discussion surrounding this on the Google App Engine forum, including a comment by Google employee Marzia Niccolai, saying that it was just an accident:

Thanks for the report! This is a bug, and we have located the problem. There was an error in our anti-phishing protections that was blocking some specific URL domains from being fetched using the URLFetch service. This was an oversight on our part, and these specific domain restrictions will be removed in the next few days.

If the developers themselves are to be believed, this was a deliberate block by Google and now that it has been discovered the search giant is now back-pedaling to make everything OK again.

Posted by Courtney Mills at 12:39 AM GMT | View Post | 1 Comments