What’s been going on this week in the search marketing, social media and interactive worlds? Here’s a list of hot news items and interesting articles that had the Location3 Media office buzzing (and Buzzing) this week.
SEARCH MARKETING/INDUSTRY GENERAL
How can you use the iPad for SEM and social?
Yes, people are still buzzing about the iPad (but are they Buzzing?). Yes, it’s pretty cool and will offer much the same portability as the iPhone and other smartphones, with great capabilities for viewing and creating larger documents. Yes, it will change the SEM and social industries, if not significantly, than at least portions of it. Yes, I want to tinker with it when most of my friends inevitably buy one on release day (I’m too cheap to buy my own). But is it the revolutionary, mind-boggling, business-changing device that most people, and this author, think it is? I don’t quite know about that, but I’m excited to find out.
Googling Google – PPC tips from the PPC founders
We all know the age-old saying, “Those who can’t do, teach.” Does a similar adage apply to the SEM industry: “Those who can’t run PPC, sell it?” The verdict is still out. But assuming that it is not true, this article offers up eight lessons learned from analyzing Google paid search ads on Bing and Yahoo! Whether these are truly the best, best practices being used by the more adept search marketers is a matter for testing. I just really like saying, “Googling Google,” it makes me giggle.
Search Engines and Olympics
All of the big three engines are offering up special sections to cover the 2010 Winter Olympics, which kickoff tonight in Vancouver, Canada. Google created a special landing page with links to several Olympics related content and search capabilities, and they’re offering special Street View coverage; Bing is offering special image and maps sections; and Yahoo! created a special subpage with tons of links, search capabilities, etc. The folks over at Search Engine Land gave out medals to the engines for their coverage. Find out who took home the Gold.
Pharma policy change on Google
Google has again made changes to their pharma advertising policies, now allowing certain types of ads to display on Google. There are two conditions a pharma company must meet: 1. Only VIPPS and CIPA certified pharmacies will be allowed to advertise and 2. Pharmacies can only target ads within their country. The changes won’t go into effect until later this month. Learn more.
Google TV ad spoofs
It was a moment in history I’ll never forget, an event I immediately documented in my journal and one I’ll nostalgically tell my grandkids about someday—the first Google television ad. It was simple, it was cute, it was touching, it was unequivocally Google. It actually inspired a round of applause at the Super Bowl party I attended. And it also inspired a number of relatively-funny, if not slightly inappropriate, spoofs. Check them out here.
Google AdSense using search history
Google announced this week that they are now using search history from approximately two hours prior to target ads throughout the Google Content Network. Read the official announcement from Google.
Iran bans Gmail
In an effort to further squash protests taking place during Iran’s revolution anniversary, the Iranian government permanently suspended Gmail. Learn more at Mashable.
Google warns Chinese knockoff to stop using logo
Google sent a warning letter to the Chinese site Goojje to quit using a very, very similar logo, citing trademark infringement. As of this morning (2/12/2010), the site has apparently been hacked and there’s no content whatsoever.Is this a result of the warning letter? I can’t be sure.
Networking opps at SMX West
Going to SMX West in Santa Clara, CA at the beginning of March? Don’t miss the fabulous parties and networking opportunities. Check out the list (so far) of (official) parties.
2nd Annual Biggest Search Geek
The Biggest Search Geek competition is back for a second time. Just answer 20 search-related questions in the least amount of time, and you could win a free trip to SMX West. Geek out now!
SEO
Is link building through guest posts a good idea?
According to this blog, the answer is “not always.” Why not? Essentially, the link value might not be as high as you think due to page and site semantic irrelevance, duplicate content complications and relevance issues. Read the blog to understand what all this means.
Google is now an SEO?
According to some, Google is now offering SEO consulting services. This news has made many SEOs very, very angry. However, others don’t see the offer as true interpretation of “SEO consulting” because the engine is not charging people for this optimization help. What do you think?
Firefox add ons give web stats quickly
When you just need to know some quick and to-the-point stats about your website, there’s a Firefox add on for that. There are four, in fact: WebRank Info, SEO Toolbar, SEOquake and SEOBook Toolbar. Learn more about these add ons and how to use them.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Google Buzz
Will Google Buzz just cause more ringing in your ears? Quite possibly. At least that’s how it seems right now, especially considering the missing features found by many (not the mention the massive privacy issues, stop Buzzing now until they fix it!). Still, it’s all anyone has been talking about this week, so I’d be silly not to include it in the roundup. There’s coverage everywhere, check it out yourself: Google Mobile Blog, Search Engine Land, CNN and pretty much any other site you visit right now. Mashable even put a Google Buzz button on their site.
How to get banned on social media
Dying to get banned on social media? Probably not. But this article is helpful from a “what not to do” perspective. Learn nine common reasons people get banned on social media. Then learn not to do those things.
Google buys social search engine Aardvark
Google purchased Aardvark, a social search engine, for $50 million this week. Aardvark functions somewhat like Yahoo! Answers and Mahalo. Users can ask a questions from the web, IM, email, Twitter or iPhone and get answers from other users based on knowledge and experience. Check out the full article on Search Engine Journal.
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
comScore January search numbers
In late 2009/early 2010, everyone was offering up reviews of 2009 and predictions of 2010 (yes, even us). But few were backing it up with concrete numbers. Until, comScore to the rescue! The analysts published their monthly search numbers and a review of digital marketing in 2009. Highlights: Bing is growing somewhat rapidly, Google dipped ever-so slightly as did Yahoo!, Ask and AOL.
LOCAL SEARCH/MOBILE MARKETING
New local capabilities in 2010 and beyond
Local and mobile are going to be huge in 2010, there’s no denying that. But what exactly will be the big trends, technologies and tactics? According to this Search Engine Land article, it’s all going to be location-based, social-centric and behaviorally-targeted. Do you agree?
Google StreetView Snowmobile
What has seven wheels, two skis and two tracks? The Google StreetView fleet. Google has added a snowmobile to the list of StreetView vehicles, which also includes a car and a tricycle. The snowmobile was created especially for the Winter Olympics. Watch a video of the StreetView snowmobile.
Google Maps Labs beta test
Google and Bing both introduced new features to their maps this week. Google Maps Labs, a beta test for these new features, is offering: drag and zoom, aerial imagery, Where in the World game, Rotatable maps, What’s Around Here? and more. Learn more about Google Labs and the new features at Search Engine Land. Bing’s new features are a little flashier that Google’s. They’re showing live videos embedded in static photos (check out the demo, it’s pretty neat) and, what’s being referred to as “Bing Sky,” the ability to look straight up and view the sky above your location on the map. Learn more.