March 2006

Google Testing New Search Results Design
(March 27, 2006 - Download Squad)

A few people are reporting that Google is testing out a new design for its search results page. The alleged new design has a sidebar on the left that shows the number of search results for Google's various services (Images, News, etc.) as small green bars, with links for Advanced Search, Preferences, and Search History below.

Google's Print Auction Fizzles
(March 24, 2006 - BusinessWeek Online)

The search giant's auction of magazine ad space didn't generate much enthusiasm -- or business, in the case of one successful bidder

Targeting Search Ads By Demographics & Behavior
(March 22, 2006 - Search Engine Watch)

The days of targeting searchers only via keywords are coming to an end. Now search engines are giving you the ability to target searchers by age, gender and other demographics.

The Goods on Google – A Few Facts From Their SEC Filing
(March 20, 2006 - Search Engine Guide)

When the management team at Google decided to take the company public in August 2004, they made the decision with the knowledge that being a publicly traded company would force them to open their doors to public scrutiny. Before their IPO, 18-months ago, Google was, for all intents and purposes, a shuttered shop from which light rarely leaked.

Online tool reveals Google’s censoring of Chinese search results
(March 19, 2006 - Pandia Search Engine News)

Mark Meiss and Filippo Menczer, researchers from Indiana University School of Informatics, have developed an online tool that lets you compare the results returned by different country versions of major search engines.

At present, you can compare results from web search and image search from Google and Yahoo! in the United States, China, France, and Germany.

This selection is very interesting, because China is not the only country that requires search engines to censor search results. In France and Germany neo-Nazi hate sites are blocked.

Google Mars Launched
(March 13, 2006 - Digital Lifestyles)

Google's plans for galaxy-spanning domination have continued apace with the launch of Google Mars, giving surfers the opportunity to explore the surface of the Red Planet.

Google to broker online book sales
(March 13, 2006 - ZDNet News)

Still embroiled in controversy over its plans to digitize several of the world's largest library collections, Google is inviting U.S. and U.K. publishers to sell online access to their copyright texts through its book search site.

New Jersey Teen Exploits Google News "Backdoor"
(March 13, 2006 - Search Engine Guide)

One of the beautiful things for small business owners about Google News is the fact that several free press release services are picked up by the news engine, giving small businesses with limited funds a way to get their news stories in front of readers. The downside of the system has been pointed out this week though, when a New Jersey teen exploited the system in order to play a practical joke on some friends. As with many practical jokes, things quickly snowballed out of control.

Google settles 'click fraud' case
(March 9, 2006 - CNN Technology)

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Google Inc. has agreed to pay up to $90 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the online search engine leader overcharged thousands of advertisers who paid for bogus sales referrals generated through a ruse known as "click fraud."

Microsoft Seeks Search-Engine Trademark
(March 1, 2006 - TechWeb News)

A trademark application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on February 15 on behalf of Microsoft by Seattle-based intellectual-property attorney William O. Ferron, Jr. According to the filing, which is accessible via a search of the patent-office Web site, Microsoft is looking to trademark "relerank" for use with "computer software for organizing, displaying, and managing search results from computer search engine software."

Google nudes
(March 1, 2006 - CNN Money.com)

NEW YORK (FORTUNE) - The most successful Internet companies have grown rich by exploiting other people's content -- without paying for it.

Microsoft Live Expo Joins Google Base in Going after eBay
(March 1, 2006 - AuctionBytes.com)

The ecommerce space continues to heat up with eBay competitors releasing services that are a cross between classified ads and eBay fixed-price listings.

Microsoft launched its free online marketplace on Tuesday. Windows Live Expo, which had been code-named Fremont in alpha testing, is still in beta testing mode and is available only to U.S. customers. The service expands the traditional classified ad concept by providing social networking and community features.