If you read Internet search industry news, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Microsoft’s growing partnership with its Web browser rival, Firefox. Microsoft has just announced the release of Firefox with Bing in an attempt to boost the search engine’s market share.
Google has killed off another advanced search function with their removal of the “+” operator. The + command was used to request a “required match” which forced the engine to include only those results that contained the adjoined term. Doing this greatly limited the search, allowing users a more granular view. Google’s replacement for the operator has not been well received, as seen by reactions on its Web Search Help Forum.
Look on any internet search forum and you can find people who complain that SEO is spam. Some claim the profession is akin to the snake oil trade, peddling useless services across the digital world. But this week Matt Cutts, who is the head of Google’s webspam team, released a video in which he discloses Google’s official view on the validity of SEO. Find the clip after the jump. (more…)
Yahoo!’s death throes are attracting more of the industry’s sharks. According to Search Engine Watch, an inside source leaked that Google is attempting to secure financing to bid for the beleaguered internet company. Google has good reason to try snatch up Yahoo!, as its acquisition would greatly aid its competitive digital strategy. (more…)
MC Hammer hasn’t been a force to reckon with in the world of hip hop for nearly two decades, but the entrepreneur now claims to be creating a search engine that will outperform both Google and Bing. According to a CNN article, MC Hammer (whose real name is Stanley Burrell), announced the project last week at the Web 2.0 summit. The search engine, dubbed WireDoo, is currently accepting applications for beta participants. (more…)
First Lady Michelle Obama officially joined the world of social media management this week when she sent her first ever tweet. The act helps to further legitimize the use of social platforms in the realm of politics. (more…)
Earlier this week, comScore released the search engine rankings for September. Google once again has the largest share of search queries, with roughly 65.3% of all searches funneling through their servers. This is a .5% increase from the total queries recorded in August (64.8%), showing the company is maintaining strength. See which engines have the highest search volume so you know where to focus your SEO services. (more…)
Google is rumored to be creating an online music store. The New York Times reports that the search giant has been contacting music executives in an attempt to launch the new Web store in the upcoming weeks. Google has kept tight lipped on the issue and there is little evidence besides the rumors sprouting up online. Does the company have a solid digital strategy prepared to challenge iTunes and Amazon, or will the venture end in failure? (more…)
The IRS is supposedly looking into Google’s financial records to see if the company committed tax evasion. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, an anonymous source has leaked the story after requesting secrecy since the audit is not public record. If the reports are correct, Google may have tried to avoid federal income taxes by moving profits to offshore subsidiaries. (more…)
The social media world took an Orwellian turn when Facebook announced that certain parts of a user’s personal information are part of the company’s “trade secrets or intellectual property.” Techdirt has been covering the chronicles of the activist group named “Europe vs. Facebook,” whose action led to the social giant’s claim. Will Facebook’s future digital strategy include owning your memories? (more…)
