Google News
Updated: Google Testing Ad Placement Below Results
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
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.