Recent News

July 15, 2008

Google Suggest preparing for global launch?

"Google France's homepage tests a query suggestion feature based on Google Suggest. The feature seems to be enabled only for the homepage and there's a setting that lets you disable it. In March, other people noticed Google Suggest enabled by default at Google.com."

Google removes the Comic Sans font from AdWords ads

"Based on publisher feedback, we have removed Comic Sans from the current ad format experiment. Thanks again for your continued feedback and suggestions. We welcome any further feedback that you might have and assure you that it'll be passed onto the relevant team."

Google co-founders talk tech

"In a relaxed discussion, the trio fielded questions about Yahoo, Microsoft and their relationships to Google. [...]

The trio of Google execs also used the opportunity to talk about the inroads the company is making with its own branded mobile phone as a replacement for the iPhone."

July 8, 2008

Google might consider country blocking as cloaking

Google's John Mueller writes in an online discussion that blocking users based on IP addresses might be considered cloaking:

"Blocking all users outside of the US from being able to see your site would likely be considered cloaking and would be against our Webmaster Guidelines."

A few comments later, John Mueller clarifies his statement:

"After a bit of double-checking, I have a clarification where I was mistaken. [...] If your site blocks users in the region where the Googlebot comes from (based on the IP address and your IP/Location lookups), you should be blocking it as well. Blocking users outside of the Googlebot's region would generally be ok."

It might be a good idea to be careful in this area.

Yahoo! properties get more traffic from Google than from Yahoo

"Most [Yahoo] properties receive more traffic from Google than from Yahoo! Search. In particular, Yahoo! Answers received 49% of its US visits from Google last month, compared to 20% from Yahoo! Search. Flickr received 13% of visits from Google compared with 5% from Yahoo! Search."

Google makes a lot of fuss about adding a privacy link

"Today we're making a homepage change by adding a link to our privacy overview and policies. [...] Larry and Sergey told me we could only add this to the homepage if we took a word away - keeping the 'weight' of the homepage unchanged at 28 [words]. We dropped the word 'Google' (realizing it was implied, obviously) and added the new privacy link alongside it."

Google faces 'Street View block'

"Google's plans to launch a mapping tool in the UK could be referred to the Information Commissioner. [..] In the US it is legal to take photos of people on public streets. But Mr Davies believes that because Street View is being used for commercial ends anyone in the UK who appears in the photo needs to grant his or her consent."

Google opens an affiliate network

"Google Affiliate Network connects advertisers and publishers who want to increase sales and drive leads through affiliate marketing.

As an advertiser using Google Affiliate Network, you'll discover pre-screened publishers who can refer consumer traffic to you. As a publisher, you can market your site to advertisers in the network"

Take five minutes to contact us and recieve your free website analysis if you qualify.

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