I happened to visit dmoz.org tonight and noticed the header. It is now sporting an AOL Search Partnership logo.
I really don’t know what this means. It wasn’t there earlier this week. Anybody else heard of this?
Google and Bigdaddy
Feedback on Bigdaddy data center was posted on Matt Cutts blog yesterday. This is the first info I am hearing on this so called “Bigdaddy.” But, I will post the critical parts of Matt’s post here.
Google has a new data center they are previewing called Bigdaddy. Google is currently asking for feedback on the Bigdaddy data center. Bigdaddy is now visible at two data centers: 66.249.93.104 and 64.233.179.104. Matt says he expects Bigdaddy to become the default source of web results within 1-2 months.
What’s new and different in Bigdaddy? It has some new infrastructure, not just better algorithms or different data. Most of the changes are under the hood, enough so that an average user might not even notice any difference in this iteration.
The best place to report webspam you see in Bigdaddy is http://www.google.com/contact/spamreport.html. In the “Additional details:” section, use the keyword “bigdaddy” in your report.
For reporting other quality issues in Bigdaddy, do the search that you’re interested in on 66.249.93.104 or 64.233.179.104, then click the “Dissatisfied? Help us improve” link at the bottom right of the page. Again, fill in details and use the keyword “bigdaddy” so that folks at Google can separate out feedback specifically about this data center.
Amazon Hosting Author Blogs
Amazon Hosting Author Blogs on ClickZ details Amazon’s new program to encourage authors to interact with readers. The most recent posts from an author’s blog will be featured prominently on an author’s profile page or on a book’s description page, along with a link to the author’s full blog. In addition, users will see new posts from authors of books they’ve purchased on their Amazon home page. So far, the program doesn’t allow readers to comment on blog posts, or to subscribe to blogs via RSS feed.
According to the article, Amazon.com has experimented with user-generated content before. Last year, it began allowing users to upload pictures related to products. It also reportedly began testing product wiki pages last month, on which consumers could add or edit information about a book or product. The company also began letting users tag products.
Yahoo! Leveraging Firefox Search Capabilities
If you are using the Firefox browser and you visited Yahoo! today, you may have seen a new banner pop up on your screen informing you how to change the search box from the default of Google to Yahoo!. I just saw it for the first time a few minutes ago. If you are not familiar with the browser, Firefox has a built in search box in the top right corner from where users can search the web. The default search engine is Google. Apparently, Yahoo is using browser detecting to serve up the popup to Firefox users. In fact, I just ran a check, and it did not happen with Internet Explorer. Here is the text of the banner:
Search with Yahoo! right from your browser.
1. Look for the search box in the upper right corner of your browser.
2. Click on the small triangle in the search box.
3. Choose Yahoo!. You’re done!
There is even a “don’t show this again” checkbox for users to turn it off if they don’t want to see it again. I think this is pretty creative thinking on Yahoo!’s part. Google has been sort of the adopted standard in search, especially with the technologically inclined. Yahoo! is trying to grab some market share here by showing users that they have a choice. My guess is most Firefox users are probably aware that they can change it however and choose to keep it Google. Kudos to Yahoo! though for being proactive.
Time Magazine Ad Gateway to Subscription Content
Time Magazine Considers Ad Gateway to Subscription Content on ClickZ reports that Time Magazine is currently testing a system where users are given access to paid subscription content if they are willing to endure a multi-paged, full-screen interactive ad from sponsor Chrysler. Using technology from Ultramercial, Time.com site visitors have been able to access the renowned “Person of the Year” cover story, along with the magazine’s full archive of articles, free for 24 hours after they viewed the ads. Time says that if this venture is successful, they will consider offering more paid content free on an ad-supported basis. This is marks a growing trend online by publishers to open archives and paid content that is supported by ads to better generate revenue from online advertising.
Google Recruits Traditional Media Buyers
Google Begins Agency Outreach, Recruits Traditional Media Buyers from MediaPost Publications reports that Google is placing ads online for media buyers. This signifies Google’s entrance into the print advertising world. Although Google claims they are just testing the waters, many advertisers are fearful of Google throwing their hat into the ring and what it could mean. The article details advertising executives fears and concerns over Google. According to the article, Google says these fears are unfounded and is working to derail the apprehension they are facing by rolling out programs directed specifically at these issues.
How to Write an Optimized Title Tag
And the Perfect Title Tag is… by Rand Fishkin at SEOmoz.org reports that the formula for the optimal title tag is
“keyword phrase” : site title
according to Michael (Graywolf) at his site, Wolf-Howl.com. Many people agree with this, including me (I’ve been using the formula for years,) but I wonder how many keywords you could include in the title and whether or not Google will recognize that as spamming. I would think that as long as they describe the content, appear on the page and are not repetitive, it would be okay.
The Future of Online Search
The future of online search on CNN.com is an interview with John Battelle, Wired magazine co-founder. This is an edited version of the full interview from his recent appearance on Spark. Battelle recently wrote a book about the future of search entitled “The Search.” Battelle has become somewhat of an expert on search and Google, and the interview is pretty interesting. In it, he emphasizes the importance of online search by saying, “search is the holy grail of computer science.” For more from John Battelle, read John Batelle’s Searchblog.
High Web Traffic Means Sales
High Web traffic means sales on CNN.com reports that the pre-holiday online shopping leaders are Wal-Mart, Amazon and Apple Computer according to Internet measurement firm Hitwise for Reuters. Hitwise is determining that these sites have the most sales by analyzing traffic between their Web sites and shipping company Web sites at UPS, DHL and FedEx. Prior to Christmas, online retail sales are difficult to determine because retailers typically hold off reporting their result until early January. However, analyzing traffic to determine whether retailers are converting the web site traffic into shipments is a good indication.
According to the article, online shopping is expected to grow 24 percent this holiday season over 2004, although traffic to online shopping sites is up only 9 percent this year over last year. On analyzing the data though, Hitwise says that it appears that web sites are becoming more efficient at converting window shoppers into buyers this year.