SearchCap: The Day In Search, July 28, 2010

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Facebook Questions Opens To Limited Public Release Long expected, Facebook’s new Facebook Questions service is now being offered. It allows Facebook users to specifically ask question to and get answers from […]

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Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web.

From Search Engine Land:

  • Facebook Questions Opens To Limited Public Release

    Long expected, Facebook’s new Facebook Questions service is now being offered. It allows Facebook users to specifically ask question to and get answers from others in Facebook’s now 500 million strong community.
    The service just went live at 1pm Pacific Time today, and we’re working on a detailed look at all the features. That will be […]

  • The Algorithm Ate My Lunch: Responding to Catastrophic Ranking Changes

    One of the most unpleasant situations an in-house SEO can face is a major search engine algorithm change that results in a massive downward shift in rankings. Some webmasters have reported search engine traffic losses of up to 90% as a result of Google’s “Mayday” update, and similar catastrophes have been attached to every algorithm […]

  • What Do Caffeine And Mayday Mean For B2B Marketers?

    Most of you have heard about Google Caffeine which launched last month and the algorithm update made in
    May, nicknamed Mayday. For many B2B sites the algorithm change resulted in a loss of rankings and
    traffic. Now that several weeks have passed, marketers are wondering how these
    changes affect their website and what changes (if any) they should make. This column offers
    practical advice for B2B marketers regarding these recent Google updates.

  • Blekko: New Search Engine Lets You “Spin” The Web

    Did you think the search engine wars had devolved into a fight between only Google and Bing? Think again. New challenger Blekko is stepping into the fray, opening to limited beta testing today. It offers a compelling way to “slash the web” and put a particular spin on your search results.
    Blekko isn’t a Google-killer. Nor […]

  • Couponing Websites For Competitive Branding Campaigns

    Have you ever tried to use a PPC campaign to steal customers from your competitors and failed? If so, consider trying a campaign on Google’s display network in conjunction with your search campaign. It might just deliver the results you’re looking for.
    After running a successful PPC campaign for some time, it can be difficult […]

  • The Anatomy Of A Great Social Media Landing Page

    Unlike its counterpart, the social media landing page isn’t focused getting on one action from a visitor; it has to manage four different kinds of conversion. Do your social landing pages manage all four?

  • Google Talking With Game Makers About New Social Gaming Site: Report

    Nary a week goes by this summer that we don’t hear more rumors about Google’s interest in online games, social networking, and/or some combination of the two. Tonight, the Wall Street Journal is quoting unnamed sources that say Google is talking with “several makers of popular online games” to have those games included on a […]

  • Search Dominates Social Media When Shopping Online: Study

    A new study about the buying habits of computer and consumer electronics shoppers shows the importance of search to the online shopping process. Search engines, in particular, are relied on much more heavily than social media — but the study also speaks to the importance of on-site search boxes.
    The report — which can be downloaded […]

  • Daydreaming About Paid Search: How About Airtight Ad Groups?

    My best daydreams come on summer afternoons when the sky is full of big fluffy clouds in a deep blue sky, and there is a refreshing summer breeze to keep me cool. Next week, I plan to enjoy plenty of that when we take our family vacation at Twin Lake Villa, an idyllic, and […]

  • Goodbye Yellow Google AdWords Background & Hello Purple Backgrounds

    Google has begun rolling out a new background color for the AdWords listings on Google’s search results. The new color is a pale purple, as opposed to the current pale yellow. Google has been testing the pale purple since May of this year and last week we have seen it ramp up in […]

  • Want To Speak @ SMX East? Here’s How

    The agenda is live, and we’re now accepting submissions to speak at Search Marketing Expo – SMX East 2010. To increase the odds of being selected, be sure to have read the agenda. Understand what the sessions are about. Ensure that your pitch is on target to the show’s audience and the session. Please also […]

  • The Google Sewage Factory, In Action: The Chocomize Story

    Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt has quite famously been on record many times talking about how the web is full of garbage. It’s a cesspool out there, he’s said. Today, a short fast look at how his own company pollutes the web.
    Right now, one of the “trending topics” on Google is the word “chocomize,” as you […]

Search News From Around The Web:

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Business Issues

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Paid Search & Contextual

SEM Industry

SEO & SEM

Social Media

Video, Music & Image Search

Web Analytics

Recent Hot Items From Sphinn, Our Social News Sharing Site:

  • Mobile Advertising and the Rise of Coupons – Mobile is firmly establishing itself as a crucial advertising channel, and the companies who aren’t utilizing it look set to be left behind. More than two thirds of the population are in possession of a mobile phone, and it’s obvious to see why the direct nature of mobile advertising is so appealing to businesses. Mobile coupon usage looks set to explode too, with the two biggest players on the internet – Google & Facebook – strongly backing QR codes.

About the author

Barry Schwartz
Staff
Barry Schwartz is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry can be followed on Twitter here.

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