Posts Tagged ‘google’
Google Chrome OS – Living On The Web
A bit of buzz is building for Google taking their stab at an OS. Chrome OS promises to offer an experience built and custimozed for those of us that live on the web.
Google is taking applications for those that want to test drive their OS on netbooks provided by them. Of course I applied and also took a fun little quiz they offered on if you “Live On The Web”. I’m not 100%, but darn close.
Mobile Search … Quick, Quick, Quick With Google Instant Search
Google’s Instant Search is ready for your mobile device and it’s likely the best place for it. Searching on your phone usually means you want to type little and get results fast.
Google is making a beta version available to most iPhone and Android devices in the U.S. now via your mobile web browser.
Mobile search improvements and local search changes from Google are adding up fast these days.
Local Search Landscape Is Changing
Google is changing the way local search results are displayed for users and that change isn’t a small one. Many have been waiting for the shift as Google has been working hard to strengthen their Google Places offering in 2010.
In looking at the changes and digesting the numerous experts blogging on their take, it’s a move I both like and dislike (shocking right?). I like the fact that it puts more emphasis on local search in general, people are taking note and it’s a buzz topic for the time being. Local is not stale, it’s growing at a feverish pace.
I dislike the results being more a mash-up of organic and local with a local map results sandwiched in the middle of organic results. I think it will confuse a user to some extent, I liked the old separation, but I’m sure more movement is coming though. I might soften over time though too. 
You’ll notice the results from the Google Place pages are aimed to bring more of their information to the forefront. Reviews, review sources and a photo now can accompany the search result displayed. Your local listing, data and result is more important than ever.
Other posts you should read on the Google Local Search results change:
- New Google Local Changes Everything – Search Influence
- 5 Quick Impacts of Google’s New Local Search Results – Matt McGee
- Implications of the New Integrated Local Search Results – Mike Blumenthal
- Meet the New Google Local SERPs – Andrew Shotland
- Google’s New Local Results – How To Adapt – Stepforth
Combine this local search results change along with tags and Place Search, you see where the focus in search is right now. LOCAL.
Marketing, Mobile & Maps Combine For Google’s New Feature: Favorite Places
Google announced their new Favorite Places on Google feature today mixing Google maps, window decals and mobile phones to benefit consumers.
In a nutshell, over 100,000 businesses (to start) are receiving decals for their business window/storefront that include a bar code. When scanned with your phone (includes iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and more) you get the business listing on your device to see reviews or coupon offers from their LBC listing.
This feature makes it a quick connect for a consumer to learn more on a business or easily grab a coupon/offer. It also gives any business one more reason to make sure they are listed in the Google Local Business Center. Run a check of your local listings here: http://www.getlisted.org
I like what I see of this new local feature:
1. Its about making it easier to grab more info on a business
2. The mix of web, mobile and brick-n-mortar
3. Easy access to special offers/coupons
The only thing I don’t like is the limited number getting the invites, but my hope is that after ironing it out with the first 100,000k you would be able to request a decal and bar code from the feature.
I’ll be on the lookout for the first decal I run into in the Twin Cities.
Are You Listening? Google DOES NOT Use The Keywords Meta Tag In Rankings
I realize the video below, from Matt Cutts of Google, could put a large number of SEO pretenders out of business (bummer). It’s a good thing this vidoe clip doesn’t run on on the nightly news to burst the keyword myth bubble. You might want to pass this on to your “webmaster”.
For years, Google has discounted the data/keywords in the meta keywords tag due to spamming/stuffing/misuse of it. The small business owner is the last to know of this though.
The takeway here is to focus on quality web content and being a resource to others with your website. While we do complete this meta tag on the pages and websites we build, it isn’t the silver bullet to good search engine rankings. Keep in mind other engines may use this tag to some degree.
Now you know. For sure.