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Google Addressing Site Hierarchies in SERPs

Written on November 19, 2009 by admin

Filed Under: marketing

While Google made the announce of their new inclusion of site hierarchy to help searchers understand the context of a search result more clearly on Tuesday, it also stated that this will be seen globally over the next few days. Well, that brings us to today right? So keep an eye out for the latest update that Google has put into play to try to make their flagship offering, their search engine, better. After all there may come a day when some ‘competitors’ may need to join forces and actually challenge Google search supremacy (oh that’s right that’s already happening).

Google’s blog tells us

Google usually shows a green web address, or URL, at the bottom of each search result to let you know where you’re headed. Today we’re rolling out an improvement that replaces the URL in some search results with a hierarchy showing the precise location of the page on the website. The new display provides valuable context and new navigation options.

As most know, oftentimes the URL of search result that would give an indication to those who would think this way that the page they are looking for is part of a larger scheme. Since many URL’s are too long and get cut off on the SERP’s then that benefit is lost.

Google’s answer is to provide a breadcrumb presentation of a site’s hierarchy is it is available for the result. The look of the result (in which each individual word is a link to a different destination) is like this

The information in these new hierarchies come from analyzing destination web pages. For example, if you visit the ProductWiki Spidersapien page, you’ll see a series of similar links at the top, “Home> Toys & Games> Robots.” These are standard navigational tools used throughout the web called “breadcrumbs,” which webmasters frequently show on their sites to help users navigate. By analyzing site breadcrumbs, we’ve been able to improve the search snippet for a small percentage of search results, and we hope to expand in the future.

Whenever anything like this is rolled out I always try to think about this kind of improvement as it relates to the vast majority of Internet users and search engine users. I suspect we over estimate their level of sophistication quite regularly. While this is interesting I don’t even really feel compelled to go to another page within the hierarchy because there is just a little information about the direct result I am looking for and it’s not even the same page so why would I go elsewhere right out of the gate?

Personally, I like to keep things simple. Is this a true improvement or just something else to talk about? Google’s take is that they are impressed with what this does.

When we design the way results appear on google.com, our goal is to get you to the information you’re looking for as quickly as possible. Sometimes that means improving how we represent websites, and other times that means giving you new ways to explore content. We’re always happy when we can introduce a feature, like site hierarchies, that does both!

Maybe my persoanl need for simplicity in an increasingly unsimple world is missing something? How do you see it?

Go here to read the rest:
Google Addressing Site Hierarchies in SERPs

YouTube Videos Getting Off-Site Overlay Links

Written on June 30, 2009 by admin

Filed Under: Advertising, marketing

Although the latest planned feature for YouTube looks like an ad, for once YouTube’s rolling out something somewhat noteworthy that’s not part of its continue search for revenues. The feature? Overlays, like InVideo ads, that feature off-site links.

As TechCrunch reports, “you probably thought it was already out there.” But to-date, YouTube hasn’t allowed any links embedded in its videos other than a.) ads or b.) links to other YouTube videos. If you needed to link to your website, blog, Twitter profile, etc., you had to do it in the right-hand sidebar, where it would be largely ignored.

YouTube ran a similar promotion in March for charity:water. This video from the organization features the overlay:

The move is unique in that this is the first non-advertising off-site links YouTube has allowed. However, the program will only be open to YouTube’s advertisers participating in the CPC Promoted Videos program. TechCrunch says the program is launching today.

What do you think? Will this result in more people leaving YouTube—or more people signing up as Promoted Video advertisers?

Excerpt from:
YouTube Videos Getting Off-Site Overlay Links

YouTube Videos Getting Off-Site Overlay Links

Written on June 30, 2009 by admin

Filed Under: Advertising, marketing

Although the latest planned feature for YouTube looks like an ad, for once YouTube’s rolling out something somewhat noteworthy that’s not part of its continue search for revenues. The feature? Overlays, like InVideo ads, that feature off-site links.

As TechCrunch reports, “you probably thought it was already out there.” But to-date, YouTube hasn’t allowed any links embedded in its videos other than a.) ads or b.) links to other YouTube videos. If you needed to link to your website, blog, Twitter profile, etc., you had to do it in the right-hand sidebar, where it would be largely ignored.

YouTube ran a similar promotion in March for charity:water. This video from the organization features the overlay:

The move is unique in that this is the first non-advertising off-site links YouTube has allowed. However, the program will only be open to YouTube’s advertisers participating in the CPC Promoted Videos program. TechCrunch says the program is launching today.

What do you think? Will this result in more people leaving YouTube—or more people signing up as Promoted Video advertisers?

Read more:
YouTube Videos Getting Off-Site Overlay Links

Proof that Google is Shrinking in Size?

Written on June 30, 2009 by admin

Filed Under: marketing

It appears Google is getting smaller in size–the logo, that is.

Philipp Lenssen spotted YAGT (Yet Another Google Test), this time it appears to involve a slightly smaller logo:

Have you seen this? I’m a little skeptic about its authenticity. Notice how the “Results 1- 10 of….” text is closer to the left in the second screengrab? Same with the login info. That often happens when you reduce your browser window size or screen resolution. That might account for the small looking logo–then again, it could be that Google will show a smaller logo only to those that have smaller screen resolutions.

Who knows? I just wanted to write a post title that included the words “Google” and “shrinking” — when does that ever happen?

Here is the original post:
Proof that Google is Shrinking in Size?

Do Trademark Holders Have the Right to a Google Listing?

Written on June 30, 2009 by admin

Filed Under: marketing

Google’s not unused to being sued. Whether it’s because of trademark infringements, AdWords, or simply being kicked out its natural search engine, Google has seen it all.

Now it’s seeing it all in one law suit–and there’s an added twist!

Ascentive is claiming–among other things–that “Google’s refusal to list Ascentive’s website in its natural search result listings violates the Lanham Act.” I have no idea what that means, but fortunately Eric Goldman does:

The complaint doesn’t explain this allegation thoroughly, but the theory seems to be that consumers expect to see the trademark owner in organic search results for the trademark and therefore consumers will be actionably confused if the trademark owner doesn’t appear there.

How’s that for grasping at straws? It seems as though this complaint is a non-starter, but that may not stop some naive judge from agreeing with the plaintiff–at least in the lower courts.

What do you think? Has Google become so dominant that it has a legal obligation to index the web site of an official trademark holder?

(hat-tip)

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Do Trademark Holders Have the Right to a Google Listing?