Google’s News Experiments & The Quest To Solve The “Read State” Issue

Hey news publishers. Stop acting as if your content only appears printed on dead trees and tap into the dynamics that the web offers. That's a blunt summary of advice from Josh Cohen of Google News, from a wide-ranging interview with him on Google's experiments with new ways of delivering news. Cohen, business product manager of Google News, says Google has no ultimate solution for the future of news online. It does have a vision of a super personalized news product that tracks someone's "read state" and keeps them constantly informed with updates. But to turn that vision into reality [...]

Filed in: Features: Analysis, Google: News, Top News


Google Tackles Its “UI Jazz” Problem, Tests Streamlining Search Options Feature

Sometime later today, a small number of Google users will see a new look to Google's Search Options feature. If all goes well, the cleaner display may be launched across Google after the New Year. And it's all because Google's vice president of search product and user experience Marissa Mayer doesn't like jazz. Simmer down, jazz lovers! Jazz is just not her thing; she's not making a personal campaign against it. Instead, Mayer was using jazz to explain a pet metaphor she has about search results pages. They have their own "rhythm," and Google's results have been sounding a bit free fo [...]

Filed in: Features: General, Google: General, Google: User Interface, Google: Web Search, Top News


10 Years Ago: The First Search Marketing Conference, A Retrospective

Ten years ago today, I had the privilege of organizing the first ever search marketing conference. On this anniversary, a look back at how things were then and have they've changed in a decade. In 1999, search marketing itself was about five years old. People had been doing search engine optimization to generate traffic from free listings as soon as search engines themselves appeared in 1994. People were also taking advantage of paid search advertising opportunities, though these were limited and primitive compared to what we have today. While search marketing wasn't new, a major e [...]

Filed in: Features: Analysis, SEM Industry: Conferences, Top News


Behavioral Targeting: Creating A Unique Experience For Each Visitor

Behavioral targeting (BT) has been the buzzword of the year for the last two years in the web analytics field. But is BT really all that important and valuable to the companies making use of it? The answer is usually yes. And does it take a team of PhDs to implement BT for a website? The answer is usually no. In this and a following post I will explain the value that behavioral targeting offers, and show how a marketer can make use of BT to make the website experience richer for users, and increase conversion rates. According to Wikipedia, there are two principal types of behavioral target [...]

Filed in: Features: Analysis, SEM Tools: Web Analytics, Search Ads: Behavioral Targeting


Josh Cohen Of Google News On Paywalls, Partnerships & Working With Publishers

Want to do a paywall with no "first click free?" That's fine with Google, says business product manager Josh Cohen. Want to do micropayments? Google will be "flexible" in considering support of new business models like this. But if you charge, expect less traffic, and also expect that your competitors will be "ecstatic" to pick up your loss, he said. Cohen's comments on paywall issues were part of a wide-ranging interview I had with him about Google and its news service. In the interview, Cohen also repeatedly stressed that publishers are free to deal with Google as they like. And if [...]

Filed in: Features: Analysis, Google: News, Top News


Become a Premium Member and see all articles in our Features archives!

Premium Members get unrestricted access to all archives - and more! Premium membership details below...

Become A Search Engine Land Premium Member

Gain insider access to the industry's leading online publication, covering the latest search engine news, in-depth features and analysis of products, technologies and search trends.

Subscribe as a premium member today and you'll get:

  • Unlimited access to news & How To articles.
  • Exclusive videos & webinars with search experts.
  • Expanded community profile & posting privileges.
  • Discounts to SMX Conferences & Events.
  • 30 Day money back guarantee.

Learn More

FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

RSS Feeds

The Search Engine Land feed keeps you informed as news happens. SEE ALL FEEDS »

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Advertise With Us »

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

TRACK US SOCIALLY
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live