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********************* Catch and cache past installments of SearchWrite SearchNews in the http://www.searchwrite.com/Pages/searchnews.htm **********************
First Facebook unleashed a torrent of new applications from third party developers when it made public its Application Programming Interface (API). Then two days ago, rumored news broke that on November 5, Google will open up its API even wider - allowing third parties to both push and pull data, into and out of Google and non-Google applications such as third party iGoogle gadgets. Google wants to "out-Facebook" Facebook by leveraging its Orkut social site's social graph information. The G-force is also considering allowing third parties to join the party at the other end of the platform - meaning other social networks (like Bebo, Friendster, Twitter, Digg and thousands of others) who can provide developers with access to their user data through those very same APIs. Now Microsoft announced just yesterday morning that the source code for its .NET framework libraries is being opened to the world, allowing outside developers to see inside when developing their own software in the .NET framework. This is not an .API unveiling but it still feels like a "hat trick." It's dubious that either Facebook or Google was the incentive for Microsoft's move, although the philosophy of transparency behind the move may be similar. It's more likely that .NET adoption in the developer community has been so small that a drastic step was needed, or this could be a strategy to prepare for a big push of SilverLight, Microsoft's new runtime for Rich Internet Applications. The .NET framework is also at the center of Vista, which so far no one has wanted to use at length. But enough developer talk, let's get back to Search news... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yahoo! is putting the heat on Google in the competition for best search engine. The Yahooligans have just released a Sunnyvale version of multimedia Universal Search to make their search interface a richer user experience. Video results from Yahoo! video can now be watched from within the search results in an expandable window. This is basically the same feature Google introduced with their "Universal Search" a few months ago. Flickr Images are also being incorporated in the regular search results as well. As with the expandable window for video results, Yahoo! seems to playing some catch-up with Google. There is, however, a considerable difference. Flickr.com is the most used Image sharing platform on the Internet. That provides Yahoo! with an advantage over Google in the category. Yahoo! Shortcuts have also made their way into the search results, a capsulized area at the top of the natural results that presents a mini-menu of direct link options. Finally, Yahoo'!s new Search Assistant feature automatically expands related queries and info even while youíre typing (or pausing your typing) to guide your search effort. For instance, when you enter "blogging," the suggestions include ìtypepad blogging toolsî or ìmake money blogging." A few of the suggestions are also related to recent news, which makes it even more useful.
The Microsoft adCenter blog has announced a new ad ranking formula has arrived with the release of the new Live Search index and organic algorithms from last week. Microsoft has changed their formula for determining which ads are able to to achieve a top ad placement, i.e. the ad above the organic listing, or, as Microsoft calls it, the "mainline" ad. In the past, the criteria for an ad to reach that top location was "more rigid," but now the formula is "more dynamic." This enables all advertisers the ability to achieve that top ad slot. Microsoft details possible methods of getting your ad in the top position: * You could see your ads move in or out of the mainline depending on your CTR and set Max Bid Recently, Google made a similar change.
The New York Times reported the beta launch yesterday of FriendFeed, a new social site that consolidates your friendsí activities on the Web into a single ëFeedí. FriendFeed currently supports 23 social web services, including Digg, Flickr, YouTube, and Last.fm. Users create their own network of friends whose activity updates can be tracked in a continuous stream of notifications. The streaming content can be embedded within userís Facebook pages or their personal web page or blog. FriendFeed also allows users to comment on postings and carry on online discussions of shared material. FriendFeed is not the first social media site to allow users to distribute their internet-activity with friends. Similar services like Kaboodle (shopping) and Googleís Shared Stuff have already carved a niche in this voyeuristic market. FriendFeed is hoping that their simple and effortless sharing process (users donít have to do anything to share updates) will lead to the siteís success.
The Web was recently described as a television where everyone on the planet could watch a different channel every night. While Top 10 Lists continue to proliferate, promoting the same ol' sites, the longer tail view reveals a horn of plenty. PC World's Top 100 Undiscovered Web Sites demonstrates why Top 10 lists can be like ivory towers when there are literally hundreds of thousands of quality alternative offerings online. <http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,1206,l=213934&s=25234&a=213919,00.asp>
Reggie Davis, the man in charge of click quality at Yahoo, posts an update, including the news that advertisers will be able to block unwanted domains from Yahoo's partner network. This mirrors a feature Google currently has in place. "ìBlocked Domains,î allows you to specify certain sites in our partner distribution network on which you do not want your ads to appear. As an aside, it's worth noting that Yahoo is now offering more proactive refunds based on poor quality partner traffic. Some of my clients saw some solid ones for August, bringing ROI into line where it should have been. Yahoo is clearly coming around to the view that if you get ahead of these issues, you make more money and create less hassle in the long run. It's all about accountability breeding confidence in the channel. <http://www.ysmblog.com/blog/2007/10/01/driving-traffic-quality/>
Web Office suite vendor Zoho has one-upped the software industry's biggest players with the launch of an online database and reports app called Zoho DB. Neither Google, Microsoft Office Live, or ThinkFree offer a comparable online database product. Indeed, the closest competitor to Zoho DB is the startup DabbleDB, which is an impressive "part spreadsheet, part database, part collaboration app" that launched in June of 2006. Zoho DB can: * Convert spreadsheets into online databases (with CSV and TSV imports)
We use 'em, we love 'em, we want to share 'em! Just please hang them back up on the workbench when you're done or put them back in the proper tool chest compartment, and don't forget the safety glasses. <http://www.webuildpages.com/tools/>
As a SearchWrite SearchNews reader, you're getting to know SEO strategy like the back of your hand. How about mastering it from the bottom of your foot? The foot of your Web page that is. This tip reclaims some valuable typographic real estate that most site owners either completely take for granted or relegate to boilerplate disclaimer copy and copyright info. Here's how to reclaim the textual content at the bottom of your Web page and inject every drop of SEO fuel into your Copyright line. Previous footer: © 2007 PrecisionCraft New SEO Friendly Footer: © Copyright 1990-2007 PrecisionCraft Log Homes and Timber Homes . Offices in Boise and Coeur d'Alene Idaho. The keyword-rich text describing PrecisionCraft is now included and reinforces who they are and where they are located at the bottom of every page where the copyright appears. ******************************************
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