Google and Dell Alliance
Published by Picturesque on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 7:37 AM.
Not to be left out in the cold, Google and Dell have reached an agreement where Dell is paid for each computer that they install the Google Desktop Search tool on. They receive more money when users activate it. Considering the number of users that purchase Dell computers, this is significant and helps Google compete more evenly with the Microsoft tool mentioned in our last post. Dell has had an agreement with Google for some time. Anyone purchasing a Dell recently no doubt has noticed the default Dell/Google search page that opened when they first loaded the browser.
Office 2007 Beta and Windows Desktop Search
Published by Picturesque on at 7:33 AM.
The Microsoft Office 2007 public beta has been released into the wild. (No, we don't recommend you download it unless you have a spare machine kicking around.) One interesting change from the last beta is that the improved searching feature of Outlook 2007 now requires the installation of Windows Desktop Search. This is the same tool that uses Microsoft's search engine to search the Internet. By forcing users to install this tool, and perhaps making it part of the default install of Office 2007, Microsoft is "helping" users utilize their search engine over others. There are many reasons to do this and we have no complaints provided their are sufficient configuration options. This does confirm our belief that the MSN search engine is an important place to have your site well listed.
Say Bye-bye to Rankings and Hello to SEO Success!
Published by Picturesque on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 8:05 AM.
Here's a great article discussing the downfall of seeing yourself #1 in a search and the greater importance of conversion rate. Being #1 on a phrase that doesn't generate any true business is worthless. Here's what is...buyers. Say Bye-bye to Rankings and Hello to SEO Success!
SEO Crossword Puzzle by eCentral Marketing
Published by Picturesque on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 9:30 PM.
Test your search marketing knowledge with a fun crossword puzzle at SEO Crossword Puzzle by eCentral Marketing.
Search engine SPAM detector
Published by Picturesque on at 6:44 PM.
Here's a tool to see if your site has any hidden spam. While it's not perfect (www.microsoft.com failded for hidden text), it's a good tool to potentially see if you are breaking any search engine rules. Search engine SPAM detector
Google Notebook From Google Labs
Published by Picturesque on at 9:55 AM.
Google Notebooks is not new, but I waited to put it out here until a number of others had tested it first. It is received some great reviews. It is another public/private bookmarking tool that's sure to take off because it's from Google. The Google Notebook sits at the bottom of your browser and allows you to ad notes about a web site alone with a bookmark. You can also just ad notes. It's similar to a blog in some regards. Check out samples at Google Notebook
Inside AdWords: Click-to-play video ads for AdWords
Published by Picturesque on at 9:50 AM.
Google's AdWords blog has announce pay per click video ads for their online ad program. Flash and other image ads are allowed. Visit Inside AdWords: Click-to-play video ads for AdWords for more.
Google Trends - Compare Your Interests
Published by Picturesque on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 9:28 AM.
Want to see how trendy you are? Head over to Google Trends and compare the world's interests in your favorite topics. Type in "cute puppies" or "chess champion" and see what Google has to say about you. You can enter up to five topics and see how often they are searched for. This sounds like a fun tool, but it's also very relevant in helping you determine key phrases to target your web pages for. Is your web site trendy? Google Trends
Under Attack, Spam Fighter Folds
Published by Picturesque on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 10:51 AM.
The Blue Frog leaps no more as Blue Security closes shop for their spam fighter tool. Blue Security voluntarily pulled their product after a coordinated series of attacks. Read more at Wired News: Under Attack, Spam Fighter Folds.
Vacation!
Published by Picturesque on Friday, May 12, 2006 at 9:08 AM.
Sorry, but vacation is a higher priority than posting here. See you on the 22nd!
Yahoo! New Home Page Test
Published by Picturesque on Monday, May 08, 2006 at 10:53 AM.
Try out the new home page offered by Yahoo! Be the first kid on your block! Yahoo!
Microsoft adCenter Still Only Works in IE
Published by Picturesque on Saturday, May 06, 2006 at 7:44 AM.
Just because the MSN adCenter is out of beta does not mean it works in Firefox and Safari. We have seen a number of frustrated posters still complaining about this. Can't say as I blame them. Microsoft adCenter
Federated Media Publishing - Voices Advertising
Published by Picturesque on Friday, May 05, 2006 at 11:12 AM.
A new advertising program is avaiable at Federated Media that allows advertisers to select the sites they advertise on. There are 45 author driven sites to select from with a promise of dozens more on the way. This is a beta test and people are being encourages to sign with a 35% discount. Keep in mind that advertisers can reject any ads they do not want. Federated Media Publishing
Microsoft AdCenter In The House
Published by Picturesque on Thursday, May 04, 2006 at 3:20 PM.
Dropping the MSN from the name, Microsoft AdCenter is not the tool for all US based searched at Microsoft. Still being rolled out in other countries, US advertisers can participate with having to request to participate. Microsoft takes plunge with AdCenter | CNET News.com
Google Friends Newsletter
Published by Picturesque on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 9:35 AM.
Did you know that Google had a newsletter? For those of you new to this feature, check out the archive at Previous Issues of the Google Friends Newsletter. There is also a link to sign up.
Google Test: More From The Top Result
Published by Picturesque on at 9:30 AM.
Google is experimenting still with having addtional links in top search results. View screen shots at Google Operating System: New Google Test: More From The Top Result.
Alexa Web Search Now Using Windows Live
Published by Picturesque on Monday, May 01, 2006 at 10:07 AM.
If you do a web search at Alexa, you'll notice that they are now using Microsoft for their search results instead of Google. Alexa Web Search
A9 Instant Reward
Published by Picturesque on at 10:03 AM.
It's so eighties, but you can earn a discount on Amazon for using the A9 search engine. About the A9 Instant Reward
Yahoo! Tech : Technology for Newbie Geeks
Published by Picturesque on at 9:44 AM.
Yahoo! has a tech site at Yahoo! Tech: Reviews, help, and how-to advice for buying and using personal electronics : Yahoo! Tech. It's definately for beginners with titles like "Is Microsoft Your Only Option?", but there's more advanced stuff under the hood. Of course there's a tie in with Yahoo! Shopping. If you have an ecommerce store, are you also listed in Yahoo!?
