Google News

Blind Study Finds Google Really Does Offer Best Results

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 15:01:44 GMT

Yesterday, we began the Search Engine Experiment to discover which of the top search engines really offers the most relevant search results. With 5,000+ participants thus far, I thought now a good time to reveal the results as they currently stand:

As of writing Google offered the overall most relevant results for 41% of searches, Yahoo Search for 33%, and MSN Search trailing behind with only a 27% most relevant share. (Note: the image above is updated automatically, so you will probably be seeing newer figures than written).

We plan to run the experiment indefinitely with the test results automatically updated every 15 minutes and available on this page.

If you haven't already, take the blind test to find out which search engines' results you personally prefer.

Lastly, despite best efforts at making the test fair, and prevent cheating, I remind you that we by no means guarantee the accuracy of these test results.

Urchin Re-branded as Google Analytics and Now Free!

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 08:00:11 GMT

This morning I received this email from (Google) Urchin support (emphasis by me):

Hello,

Last week, we sent you an email explaining that the Urchin login system would transition to Google Accounts. Because a Google Account already exists for the email address that you use to log in to Urchin, please use that email address and Google Account password to log in to Urchin in the future. If you can't remember the password for your Google Account, please click the 'Forgot your password?' link below the login box.

We're also excited to announce that we've released a new version of Urchin On Demand, with a new name: Google Analytics. Google Analytics continues to expand upon Urchin On Demand's powerful tools, and features new integration with Google AdWords, increased pageview limits, new executive summary dashboards, and a more.

And, perhaps best of all, Google Analytics is free! That's right - you now get powerful web analytics without having to pay a thing. Your credit card will no longer be billed, and your account will continue to function without interruption. To learn more about Google Analytics, or to log in to your account, please visit http://www.google.com/analytics.

We hope that you enjoy the latest in web analytics.

Sincerely,

The Google Analytics Team

The sign-up page is here.

Has Jagger Killed Reciprocal Linking?

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 21:45:35 GMT

Although there's evidence to suggest Google have been devaluing reciprocal links for some time (especially unnatural ones), SE Roundtable points to the Search Engine Watch discussion Reciprocal Linking – Dead or Alive? asking how badly reciprocal linking has been affected since the Jagger updates. Google themselves (or at least Google Engineer Matt Cutts) have said Jagger would be targeting aggressive link-schemes.

The rational consensus seems to be that quality, on-topic links are and will likely remain valuable both in relation to SEO and also for direct traffic, and that off-topic and/or low quality links are either dead or very much near-to-extinction.

Jagger 3 Visible

Sat, 05 Nov 2005 18:42:25 GMT

Google Engineer Matt Cutts reports that Jagger 3 is visible at the data center accessible from IP 66.102.9.104. We haven't covered the Jagger updates much -- we've been busy behind the scenes on some cool new projects to launch from WebmasterBrain soon -- but we'll be following future algorithm changes at Google more closely.

Yahoo! Employees Sneak into Googleplex for Free Lunch

Sat, 05 Nov 2005 15:07:32 GMT

According to Techcrunch numerous Yahoo employees regularly sneak into the Googleplex to take advantage of its lavish free lunches. Yahoo's headquarters are a short drive from Google's, and unlike Googlers, Yahoo employees have to pay for their meals; so the story is not as far fetched as it sounds.

Google Adsense Offer $100 Affiliate Commision For Referals

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 20:00:43 GMT

In what no doubt is a move to ward off competition from YPN -- which many webmasters are flocking to for its apparent higher payouts -- Nick W at Threadwatch notes, Google have begun offering a $100 commission for each AdSense sign up lead who earns at least $100:

With our new referrals feature, you can increase your revenue while increasing your users' awareness of useful products and services. By adding a referral button to your site, you can direct users to sign up for AdSense and monetise their web content.

While your users learn more, you can earn more -- US $100 for every new AdSense publisher who earns $100.

Anyone with a AdSense account can add the code immediately.

Google to Announce New Service at Webmaster World Luncheon

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 00:24:33 GMT

Linda Buquet at ThreadWatch informs that Google plan to launch a new and supposedly exciting service on Wednesday:

Webmaster World Luncheon
Hosted by Google
Don't miss Google's presentation of an exciting new service that you can register for at the show! Lunch will be provided, so come early to get good seats and free schwag.

No clues are given as to what the service will be.

Google to Covertly Personalize Everyones' Search Results

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:26:28 GMT

Search Engine Roundtable reports a thread over Search Engine Watch Forums, summarizing Google's new patent for personalized organic results based on users' session history:

A system and method for using a user profile to order placed content in search results returned by a search engine. The user profile is based on search queries submitted by a user, the user's specific interaction with the documents identified by the search engine and personal information provided by the user. Placed content is ranked by a score based at least in part on a similarity of a particular placed content to the user's profile. User profiles can be created and/or stored on the client side or server side of a client-server network environment.

What's highly significant to SEOs, is that this would not be an opt in service; instead, all searches for all users would be personalised, possibly destroying the entire concept of search engine rankings. If and when this new algorithm gets implemented, and depending the the strength of the personalization, it could very easily turn the SEO world upside down over night.

Updated: Google Testing Ad Placement Below Results

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 16:11:51 GMT

Whilst trawling results for the search [SEO] in Google, I noticed Google are now testing ads below results.

Rather stupidly, I hit refresh to test if the new ads were persistent, unfortunately (as I didn't think to take a screenshot first) they were not. One thing I did think to do was count the ad units: 3 above, 11 side, plus the 2 units below results = 16 ad units for a single result page, which is fairly difficult number to pull off and still maintain their essential clean looking interface.

Update: Finally managed to get a screenshot:

Google try to clean up relations with new spin doctor

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 08:50:30 GMT

MSNBC is reporting, that amongst bad feeling from book publishers and others unhappy with Google's planned book digitizing project, Google have hired top PR guy Elliot Schrage:

Mr Schrage, who was named vice president of global communications and public affairs and will report to Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive, said his role would be "to explain the steps Google is taking to improve the accessibility and usefulness of the world's information to people everywhere".

Elliot Schrage was senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. His role replaces that of former Google Vice President of Marketing Cindy McCaffrey, who departed last year.

Threadwatch has some discussion.