Search Engine Marketing Blog | Tug

Another Competitor for Facebook…. But this is a Big One!

kyle — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:23:59 +0000

Although this is mainly based on a lot of Gossip and Rumours, Google are apparently secretly working on a Social Networking Platform to Thwart Facebook!

This not yet confirmed Social Networking side of Google is rumoured to go by the name of “Google Me”.

Social News website “Digg” founder Kevin Rose, tweeted (since removed): “Ok, umm, huge rumor: Google to launch Facebook competitor very soon ‘Google Me,’ very credible source,” sources have been investigating the rumours and the evidence is starting to pile up towards a launch.”

Google have been reported to be conducting a lot of time and research in Social Network Focus Groups, looking particularly at Usability. Former Chief technical officer at Facebook, Adam D’Angelo had this to say: “This is not a rumour. This is a real project. There are a large number of people working on it. I am completely confident about this.”

So as Google continue to look in to every avenue to secure their plans of Global Domination (well… on the Internet at least!), I’m sure you will join me in eagerly awaiting any further news about this subject.

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Youtube Partners with Blinkbox to give us Free Movies!

kyle — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:54:45 +0000

Youtube have partnered with the Online Movie Rental website, Blinkbox, to launch a New and best of all… Free Movie section for the UK.

This feature has been available for quite some time in the US, but it’s something for us Brits to get excited about!

You will be able to watch over 400 full length movies on Youtube UK.

Also in Youtube Pipeline are planned developments on the popular “TV Shows” section. Which shows some of the UK’s most loved programmes, such as “Peep Show”, “The Inbetweeners” & “Big Brother”.

YouTube’s head of video partnerships, Donagh O’Malley said: “This is one of many efforts to ensure that people can find all the different kinds of video they want to see, from bedroom vlogs and citizen journalism reports to full-length films and TV shows.”

So for all of you who are unlucky enough not to own a television set, this should be something to really look forward to!

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Social Network Advertising is not looking back!

kyle — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:55:05 +0000

Onwards and Upwards is the latest message concerning Social Network Advertising.

1.4 Billion Dollars were spent on Social Network Ad’s last year, and even though we are still very aware of the gradual economic recovery, the average spend is increasing. This is due to the overwhelming demand of companies wanting to reach their key demographic through Social Media, as well as the traditional methods.

Emarketer had this to say on the subject: “eMarketer estimates US advertisers will spend $1.68 billion on social networking sites this year, a more than 20% increase over 2009. Spending will rise even further by 2011 to more than $2 billion.”

Although Facebook is the dominant force, who will be receiving at least Half of all Social Network Ad Spending, there is competition from the ever popular Twitter and the dwindling Myspace, as well as other Social Networking websites. Although these estimates are based on US figures and research, Social Network Advertising is expected to grow even more quickly throughout the rest of the world in 2010.

So in conclusion, if you are currently looking at advertising within the Social Network side of things, I hope this blog will give you the means to make the appropriate decision.

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Watch Out Skype…. There’s a New Sheriff in Town!

kyle — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:07:14 +0000

Google have introduced a Brand New Skype-esque feature for G-mail users.

G-mail users will now have the ability to call home phones and mobiles straight from the convenience of their email accounts. Which is going to serve up some competition with the other operators such as Skype, AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications.

Typically, this new feature will benefit the American contingent of the world first, with Google Promising free calls within the US and Canada. Whilst calls to Britain, France, Germany, China and Japan would be as low as 2 cents per minute. Calls that cost money will be charged from an online account that users can top up with a credit card

“This is a risk to Skype. It’s a competitor with a pretty good brand name” said Hudson Square analyst Todd Rethemeier.

The New Google Service seems like its major advantage will be International/US calls for Gmail users of the US, but I’m sure that Google will be looking to push the boundaries and tie this new exciting service in with their plans of Global Domination!

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Time’s 50 Best Websites

Faye — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Time unveiled its 50 Best Websites list this week. I love this stuff as there is always an unknown or two that creeps in there. Very surprised about the social media list though…no Foursquare in sight – totally gazumped by Gowalla.

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Google Now Allows One Domain to Dominate Search Results

Carlos — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:57:08 +0000

When a website shows very relevant content for a search query and Google deemed it appropriate for the user, it usually shows what is known as “site links”, allowing users to quickly find the information they seek within the same web site as shown in the image:

Now this might change or be extended because Google has announced a new change in the ranking algorithm, by which a domain can dominate several positions for a single search result. In the following example, we searched for ‘Apple’ and 7 out of the 10 results offered by Google came from apple.com, plus site links:

Personally I believe that site links are more than enough. There is no need to give so much power to a single domain. Funny enough Google’s Peter Norvig once said that “for the second search result, you don’t want something that’s almost the same as the first. You prefer some diversity, so there’s where minority views start coming in.” I guess Google no longer feel that way…..

It seems that Google wants to kill the little guy and the new motto is … One domain to rule them all!

The good thing is that businesses and online brands with reputation problems may catch a break, this could help them a lot!

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Yahoo has announced the transition to Bing

gipi — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:00:32 +0000

Yes, it’s finally done. Yahoo organic searches are been powered by Bing (US & Canada)

Try it for yourself… search for any term on Yahoo.com and at the bottom you would see “Powered By Bing”. They are looking at the migration of Adcenter end of this fall.

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Geeky Social Networking Map

Nick — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:59:09 +0000

It doesn’t get much geekier than drawing a Lord of the Rings style map representing the Social Networks of this world…

But I like it! Flowtown’s social network map

Find out more about Tug’s social media services

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Google Testing Search Results Live as you Type

Neil — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:51:59 +0000

Google has been testing a new search feature that displays search results live as you type. For example if you are typing a two word search query once you have finished typing the first word the results for that word have already been displayed in the search results.

At present these results are not available to everyone and are just under test to a small proportion of Google users. See below for a video of live as you type search results from Rob Ousbey

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LG Pitches up against Apple’s iPad

David — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:54:51 +0000

LG have announced that they will be creating a new tablet based on Google’s mobile operating system, Android. In an interview with Wall Street Journal for an article, the marketing VP made a claim that it would be “better than the iPad”. They have said that their tablet will not only be focused on viewing content but also creating content, he said “It’s going to be surprisingly productive”. The US is going to be the key market, they have yet to state their situation in Europe for the new tablet. LG have also let it be known that they are determined to be a big player in the smartphone market and will be delivering devices next year with Nvidias Duel Core processors among other features. LG have released a number of mid and low range Android Smartphones but are yet to deliver a high speced big player in the Smartphone market. Read more over at Wall Street Journal.

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