Search Engine News

Jennifer Laycock

Search Marketing Smackdown

by Matt Williams - But what on earth can search marketing, an industry with sooooooo many smart and talented people, ever learn from another industry? Much less from WRESTLING?!?!? Here are my thoughts on how search can benefit from a...

Jennifer Laycock

Great Deal on ClickTracks Software This Week

Somehow this slipped past me, but since there are still a few days left in June, I figured it'd be a good idea to pass it on. Apparently, those folks over at ClickTracks drank a few too many margaritas at...

Jennifer Laycock

Google Analytics Integrates with AdWords

Andy Beal over at Marketing Pilgrim is reporting that Google Analytics is now offering up two new reports that closely integrate with Google AdWords to provide more details for advertisers. The new reports include an "AdWords Analysis" report that displays...

Jennifer Laycock

New Yahoo! Search Marketing Center on the Way

Not to be outdone by Google's addition of dayparting or Microsoft's launching of an impressive suite of keyword research tools, Yahoo! has announced that some massive changes to its own advertising center are just around the corner. An email announcing...

Jennifer Laycock

Is Yahoo Under the Influence of TrustRank?

by Kim Roach - The further out a web site is within the linking structure, the lower the TrustRank they would receive. Basically, according to Yahoo's proposed mechanism, the link structure of reputable web sites can be used to discover...

Jennifer Laycock

More on Microsoft's AdLabs

Last week I blogged about the introduction of some new features to Microsoft's AdLabs site. Over the weekend, I received an email that went into far more detail about what the new offerings are and how they might benefit keyword...

Jennifer Laycock

Keyword Prices Are DOWN

Now here's news that you don't hear on too regular of a basis...MediaPost Publications reports that keyword prices were actually down in the first quarter of this year. DouleClick's "cost-per-keyword" rate is figured by factoring the average cost-per-click with the...

Jennifer Laycock

Eye Tracking Studies Are Good for More Than Just Search

One of the most useful studies to come out in the last few years is the eye tracking study released by the team over at Enquiro. Gord Hotchkiss has done an outstanding job of helping educate search marketers about how...

Jennifer Laycock

It's Not Just About Getting Them to the Page...

...it's about converting them once they're there. One of the most overlooked aspects of search engine advertising is the proper use of landing pages. That's why todays Search Insider article from Jon Ostler is a must-read for any small business...

Jennifer Laycock

Microsoft's AdLabs Will Provide More Search Related Data

MediaPost Publications reports that Microsoft is launching a new site that's aimed at helping search marketers and paid search advertisers find more information to help them fine tune their campaigns. While the initial launch of Microsoft's AdLab site will only...

Jennifer Laycock

What Does Google Censor in China?

Everyone knows that Google has agreed to work with the Chinese government in order to censor search results on the Chinese version of the Google search engine. Many people have also seen some examples of this censorship at play, most...

Jennifer Laycock

More on the Mentos and Diet Coke Search Frenzy

I blogged last week about the viral video of a Mentos and Diet Coke fountain that's buzzing its way around the net. Since then, I've found it interesting to read the responses from some of the representatives of each company....

Jennifer Laycock

Reverse Engineering Your Competitions' Keyword Strategy

Reverse engineering your competitions' keyword strategy requires nothing more than having a basic idea of what your defining keywords are. As a part of the discovery process, you might find out that adjustments to your keyword strategy are in order....

Jennifer Laycock

When the Offline Buzz Feeds Search

Last week, a friend forwarded me the URL of a video clip of two guys putting on a Bellagio-style fountain show by mixing Mentos and Diet Coke. Since then, it's turned into one of the most passed around viral videos...

Jennifer Laycock

Here's a Bit of Irony for You...

Yahoo!, which earlier this year stopped allowing companies to buy pay-per-click ads triggered by trademarked terms owned by someone else is now being sued for doing the exact same thing through Google's AdWords system. The lawsuit is being brought forth...

Jennifer Laycock

Measuring Key Performance Indicators

by Manoj Jasra - In this article I will illustrate how to accurately measure key performance indicators by using a fictional company called Jasra Corp., identifying the company's needs, and then accurately measuring specific KPIs to help to solve its...

Jennifer Laycock

Yahoo Expands Publisher's Network Help Center

Site owners that make use of the Yahoo Publisher's Network will be pleased to note some new additions to the YPN control panel. With much of the new content focused on guiding YPN partners through the ins and outs of...

Jennifer Laycock

Microsoft Delivering Hand-Crafted Search Results?

No, not personalized search...actual hand crafted search results put together by staffers at MSN while you conduct your search...live. At least that's what everyone is assuming based on an MSN job description titled "Hand crafted results. It's kind of hard...

Jennifer Laycock

More on Linking Your Way to the Top

USA Today is running an article right now titled "Website designers want searches to work for free" that offers up quite a wide range of ideas on how small businesses can take advantage of blogs, social networks and general link...

Jennifer Laycock

The Benefits of Being Small

Yesterday I made a blog post that talked about the sudden, growing influx of major businesses to the world of search engine marketing. While all those dollars flowing in to the mix could make it more difficult for small businesses...

Jennifer Laycock

There Goes the Little Man?

One of my favorite country sounds is Alan Jackson's "Little Man." The song serves as a reminder of the small businesses that used to be the place to go for any and all of your needs...you remember, back before mega-stores...

Jennifer Laycock

Why I'll Never Be a Google VP

BusinessWeek has a profile of Google's Marissa Mayer this week. As one of the most public faces of Google, and THE most public female face at Google, Mayer holds the keys to the success of the company in terms of...

Jennifer Laycock

More Thoughts on the Long Tail

Cory Treffiletti has a good article over at MediaPost that talks about the implications of the long tail effect on marketers. (requires registration) The article points out the need for marketers to shift from a mentality that targets mass exposure...

Jennifer Laycock

Helpful Tips for Tracking Offline Conversions

Kevin Lee's ClickZ article last Friday did a great job of giving a reminder on just how important it is to try and tie offline conversions to online search marketing efforts. While much of the article was tailored toward large...

Jennifer Laycock

Net Neutrality Amendment Fails House Vote

I've written several blog posts in the last few weeks about the issue of net neutrality and how it could potentially impact both large and small online businesses. Unfortunately, an amendment to a telecommunications bill moving through the House this...

Jennifer Laycock

Microsoft Builds Book Search by Working With Publishers

Perhaps taking a cue from the flack Google has dealt with over their decision to index all the books of the world, Microsoft announced plans today to build up their own book search library by cooperating with publishers. Windows Live...

Jennifer Laycock

CGM Numbers Powered by Broadband Growth

I've written in the past about online reputation management and the explosion of CGM (consumer generated media). New numbers out today from the Pew Internet & American Life Project tie the boom in CGM to the steady growth of broadband....

Jennifer Laycock

Alternative Ways to Get Into Google

by Kim Roach - Everyone is concerned about their Google rankings. An algorithm change or an update can often leave many a webmaster in tears. However, I often like to come in through the back door. So today I’m going...

Jennifer Laycock

Is Google Setting the Stage for a New China Policy?

The blog world is buzzing today with quotes from an Associated Press story that features Sergey Brin talking about Google's decision to do business in China and to agree to restrictions that would be placed on them by the Chinese...

Jennifer Laycock

DOJ Looking to Compel Record of User Searches?

The San Francisco Gate ran a story late last week that talked about some discussions that are taking place between the Department of Justice and major Internet search providers like Microsoft, AOL and Google. The point of the meetings seems...