Web Vision » Microsoft

What’s New With Search? Much Ado About Google Instant!

SEO — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:54:03 +0000

There’s always something going on with Google, Yahoo, and Bing – the search landscape changes every day and it can be extremely hard to keep up! But don’t worry, I’ve highlighted a few of the most recent noteworthy events so you, too, can be “in the know”. Here’s the latest scoop:

Google Instant Debuts

On September 8, Google unveiled their newest product: Google Instant. If you didn’t think that searching Google was fast enough, they’ve eliminated the need to hit the “search” button after you’ve finished typing your query and added even more predictive capabilities into your search. Watch it in action:

By the time you’re reading this, it’s probably been rolled out to you so you can try it for yourself (if not, you can get it here). I think it will definitely make the search experience a lot faster and I like the seamlessness of being brought to the search results page as soon as I start typing. For you search nerds out there (ahem, like myself), there’s already been a post stating that Google Instant will Kill SEO. Seriously. Every month or two there is always someone claiming that SEO is dead, yet it always remains to be live and kicking. The main point of Steve’s article seems to be that no two search results will be the same with Google Instant. Unfortunately, they haven’t been the same for over two years due to Google’s personalization – so there’s really no difference here in my opinion. Is SEO dead? No. Did Steve get some good linkbait for his site? You betcha!

In a little bit less “flashy” news…

It’s Official: Bing Powers Yahoo

Remember when I mentioned at the end of July that Microsoft was testing out Bing results in Yahoo? Well, it’s now fully live and integrated into every Yahoo search in the US and Canada (other countries will continue to be rolled out). Have you guys noticed any differences? If you scroll down the the bottom of your Yahoo results page, you’ll see a very small “Powered by Bing” statement in the footer. If you’re a Yahoo power searcher, you may notice a difference in the type/quality of the results you get, for better or worse. Otherwise, everything looks completely the same. The biggest change is that Bing is now the 2nd most widely used search engine, behind the almighty Google.

Google Changes Their Algorithm (Yawn)

Honestly, this isn’t news at all, since we know that Google changed their algorithm at least once per day in 2009. One of the latest updates they implemented is a bit interesting, however, since it now shows more pages from from a single domain for certain queries. Let’s take a search for “Apple iPod” for example. The Apple domain (both apple.com and store.apple.com) gets 7 out of the 10 organic listings on the first page. If you’re a big enough brand, you can get 5-7 of those coveted top slots by searches containing “brand name + keyword” or just “brand name”. But don’t get too excited for your business: searches just for your company name isn’t likely to garner 5-7 of the search results unless you’re a large national brand. Unfortunately, this move reaffirms the theory that Google is biased towards those big brands.

Those search engines definitely keep me on my toes! Stick with me, kid, and I’ll keep you updated on the important stuff. What does everyone think about Google Instant? Love it or leave it? Let me know what you think! Happy (Instant) Googling!

Microsoft-Yahoo Search Alliance Moves Forward

SEO — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:02:32 +0000

We heard about it last year and now we’re finally seeing it action – partly, anyway. As Amanda pointed out last week, up to 25% of Yahoo’s organic search results in the U.S. are being powered by Bing and up to 3.5% may see paid listings from Microsoft adCenter. The difference won’t be noticeable unless you’re one of the lucky searchers to see the “Powered by Bing” badge on the bottom of a results page (they’re currently testing this badge on just some of the results, but once it’s fully rolled out, it will be on the bottom of all the results pages). I went to Yahoo to see if I could get a glimpse of a Bing-branded results page by performing a million (read: ten) searches but it was not to be. Seriously, after 10 searches on Yahoo, I had to leave; I felt like a foreigner in a strange land (I’m a Googler).

When will it ALL be Bing?

Microsoft and Yahoo are currently doing tests for organic and paid results and if all goes well, the US and Canada will see all Bing-powered results in desktop and mobile searches as early as August (August/September is the current time frame). The paid search platform transition to Microsoft adCenter will be undergoing a bit more testing, but is expected to be fully live by October.

Obviously, this is a pretty big transition, especially for those folks who currently use Yahoo Search Marketing for their PPC campaigns. Yahoo is trying to make this as smooth of a transition as possible, and has a bunch of information regarding the change. Not only do they have a complete site called the “Yahoo Transition Center” dedicated to it, there are also helpful posts on the Yahoo Search Marketing blog.

What about the rest of the world?

I haven’t read anything yet about when they plan to integrate the Bing-powered organic results internationally, but for PPC, international advertisers should see the move to Microsoft adCenter in early 2012. Again, this will all be dependent on a successful roll out in the United States and Canada.

On the tail of this news, Yahoo Japan just announced that it plans to use Google’s search engine technology for their organic and paid search instead of Bing. Although this may be a bit of a blow to Microsoft, Yahoo only holds a minority stake in Yahoo Japan and cannot stop them from using Google as an alternative. This proves to be an interesting move, considering that comScore’s figures show that Japan has the third largest number of searches conducted as of December 2009 (behind the US and China). A good portion of Japan’s searches could be Google-powered if everything goes as planned.

Are you excited about this change? Are you mad because I dissed Yahoo? Let me know!

While Google Buzzes, Bing Makes Deals

SEO — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:17:36 +0000

There has been so much “buzz” about Google Buzz, and the 100 other things Google launches every week, I’ve been wondering what Bing has been up to lately. I’ve seen various blog posts and comments from people stating they are becoming less endeared to Google due to all the new features they’ve introduced into the SERPs (such as the real time results) and that Bing may becoming a more viable option for search. With this in mind, I found some very interesting Bing developments in its quest to steal some search market share from the almighty Google.

Bing Provides Facebook Web Search Results

Did anyone else notice that the new Facebook layout now displays the Search box at the top of every page you’re on? Kind of like a search engine, no? But that’s a topic for a whole different post. For now, check out the “Web Results” for a search I did in Facebook on Google Buzz:

Yep, Bing’s search deal with Facebook allows it to power the web portion of all searches people type into the social networking site. Plus, when you click to the next page for more web search results, the top of the page says “Find more Web Results on Bing.com“. This could definitely result in an increased search volume for Bing if Facebook really starts emphasizing the search feature.

Bing + iPhone

It’s rumored that Apple will make Bing the default search engine on the iPhone with its next software update, replacing Google. Apple and Google used to get along and play nice, but now they are competing in the same markets (phones, browsers, operating systems, etc). If the deal goes through, Bing will start covering some ground in the mobile search area as well. Obviously, it’s not going to oust Google from the top spot, but it would take a nice bite out of the search numbers if this comes to fruition.

Microsoft-Yahoo Search Deal Finalized

The news dropped in July 2009 that Yahoo will be ditching its search technology in favor of Bing’s. What does that mean exactly? You will still be able to go to Yahoo.com and do a search, but the results returned to you will be provided by Bing. Essentially, Yahoo and Bing will have become one and Bing will be the #2 search engine in the game. The two companies finally came to terms with exactly what the deal will encompass back in December. The only thing left is an investigation by the US Department of Justice, which is mandated when two businesses strike a deal of this nature. Microsoft and Yahoo don’t anticipate any problems with the review and are hoping to make it all official in the first quarter of this year.

I do not believe that Bing will ever be numero uno when it comes to search engines, but Microsoft is not letting any opportunities go to waste. If Bing is the default search on the iPhone (and it’s already the default on various non-Droid Verizon phones), it could potentially start cutting similar deals (Firefox maybe?) and really start to put some heat on Google. And why not? I think it’s nice to see some healthy competition and give searchers some different options.

Dec. 24 – Track Santa Online!

SEO — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:07:48 +0000

This is an entry in our daily Internet Marketing Advent Calendar series. Each day your favorite marketing elves Kasi and Amanda will focus on a new topic to get your internet marketing in order before the start of the new year.

Back when I was a kid, the internet wasn’t around. I mean, it had been developed and all that, but it wasn’t accessible to us “regular” folks yet. So, aside from a newscast here or there about his whereabouts, I just had to believe that he would make it to my house that night. I couldn’t obsessively see where he had already visited and track his path.

Kids today are so lucky! Now, just by doing a simple search, they can find tons of Santa Trackers at their disposal! When I typed “Santa Claus” into Bing and Google, it actually suggested “Santa Claus tracker”. Check out some of these cool sites and enjoy!

Santa Update

NORAD Tracks Santa

Santa Radar

I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for tuning in this month to our Internet Marketing Advent Calendar.

Read the rest of the Internet Marketing Advent Calendar

Dec. 20 – The Top 10 Searches of 2009

SEO — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:14:10 +0000

As we’re looking ahead to the new year, it’s also tradition to recap the year that is coming to a close. What’s the best way to remember what was on the collective minds of the US in 2009? With the top 10 searches in Google, Yahoo, and Bing, of course!

Google.com – Fastest Rising

1. twitter
2. michael jackson
3. facebook
4. hulu
5. hi5
6. glee
7. paranormal activity
8. natasha richardson
9. farrah fawcett
10. lady gaga

Yahoo.com

1. Michael Jackson
2. “Twilight”
3. WWE
4. Megan Fox
5. Britney Spears — bumped from No. 1 after four straight years, according to Yahoo
6. Naruto
7. “American Idol”
8. Kim Kardashian
9. NASCAR
10. Runescape

Bing.com

1. Michael Jackson
2. Twitter
3. Swine Flu
4. Stock Market
5. Farrah Fawcett
6. Patrick Swayze
7. Cash for Clunkers
8. Jon and Kate Gosselin
9. Billy Mays
10. Jaycee Dugard

I figured that Michael Jackson would have dominated all three, but Twitter actually came out on top in Google. It’s always fun to see the differences between the search engines. I was surprised that Lady Gaga wasn’t in the top 10 for at least 2 out of 3, with her dramatic rise in the music scene (not to mention her, um, odd choices in costumes). Still, I’m sure some conclusions can be drawn about the different demographics that use the different engines. What do you think it means?

Read the rest of the Internet Marketing Advent Calendar

Dec. 16 – Bing Shows Love to iPhone Users with Free App

SEO — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:19:28 +0000

For all of you iPhone users out there who have been waiting for the Bing search app, you are in luck! Previously available on Windows Mobile phones and Blackberrys, Microsoft launched its free iPhone app just in time for the holidays.

The mobile app interface is very similar to the web interface:

Search results are broken up in the same standard Bing categories as well:

Overall, the app works smoothly and the image search is really slick. You can scroll through full size images just as you would the standard photos on your iPhone, and click on a button to go the source page of the picture. Microsoft added a voice-activated search feature as well.

If you have an iPhone, will you be downloading and using Bing? I typically Google, but I didn’t mind giving it a spin. It’s free, after all.

Read the rest of the Internet Marketing Advent Calendar

What to do with Internet Explorer 6

Hall — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:51:25 +0000

Photo credit: John Martz | Click to view larger

IE6 has taken a lot of heat (for good reason). Now the griping has gone to the next level, sites like Facebook, You Tube and Digg have either dropped browser support or warned about dropping support by suggesting new alternatives (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, even Internet Explorer 8).

Development Issues

Geeks like me realize why IE6 is such a burden to deal with. From a development point of view, it is not W3C standards compliant, which means often times it requires more hours to complete development for cross browser compatibility. There are evident security issues with world-readable cookies, compatible software vulnerabilities among other issues.

Web Design Issues

As a designer, I like to use transparent PNG images for opaque image backgrounds. There is virtually no support for such image extensions without hacking up a style-sheet.

Internet Enthusiast issues

As an internet enthusiast, there are browsers with more useful addons/widgets/updates. Does IE6 have a TwitterBar, Gmail Notifier or ColorPicker ? No… the only relatively useful tool I have used from this browser is a very buggy developer toolbar.

It is interesting to see the younger communities and even some smaller corporations petition about the aches and pains of poor support and vulnerabilities with this browser. What does this say about how decisions are made about software support and the internet community? Users are in charge, not the corporations pumping out mediocre software with an occasional update that doesn’t address major problems.

Are you using IE6 and missing out on content from some of your favorite websites?

Not totally sure?

Open Internet Explorer
Click on Help
Click on About Internet Explorer
Look at the Version… does it say 6? If so, it’s time to upgrade!
Mozilla Firefox
- Firefox has a ludicrous amount of add-ons for developers, designers and just about any other tech industry you could imagine. Not to mention, it has tabular browsing! What a luxury!
Google Chrome
- Chrome is quick and secure and uses a super fast JavaScript engine, something that IE6 is severely lacking.
Apple Safari
- Very reminiscent of Chrome, quick Webkit rendering engine and visually attractive.
Opera
- Customizable, interesting widgets, speed dial browsing and a very nice looking browser.
What you should/can upgrade to

What can you do to not drown in the cold murky waters after the IE6 ship tanks? Update to something worth your while!

As age old software is taken over by more productive and efficient competition, users should work this change to their advantage. Consider ditching IE6, and save yourself some valuable time!

But It’s Not Google (Bing)

SEO — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:51:25 +0000

BING = But It’s Not Google

I have to admit, I snickered when I first read this clever little acronym for Bing!, given my penchant for all things Google. And does anyone else find the Bing TV commercials annoying? (“Moms who wear jeans to match their teen’s jeans”- ugh). However, now that the Yahoo-Microsoft search agreement is moving forward, you’re going to need to start showing Bing some extra love in your website’s internet marketing campaign.

But I Don’t Wanna!

You don’t have to throw a temper tantrum just yet, because you’ve got some time on your hands. The deal first needs to be approved by government regulators, which is expected in early 2010. From there, it will likely take about 3-6 months for the the Bing-powered organic search results to start showing up on Yahoo. You’ve got at least a year to learn more about how the Bing algorithm works and how to optimize better for it, which will be helpful if your site performs better in Yahoo than in Bing. So quit your whining.

Your PPC Life Might Get a Little Easier (Maybe. Eventually.)

Although you may be like most companies and exclusively use Google AdWords for your PPC campaign, if you use all three paid search platforms, you’ll now only have to use two. So this consolidation might mean a little less work for you (keep in mind this won’t happen until around 2012). And if you only use Google, you may want to start using Micrsoft’s AdCenter to be able to participate in the top two platforms. Oops, I may have just made more work for you instead of less. Sorry ’bout that.

Get to the Point, How Can I Get Better Rankings in Bing?

Well, like any good SEO would, you’ve got to do your research. Take your targeted keywords and type them into Bing. Where do you rank? Who ranks for the more coveted spots? Look at the better ranked websites and see how they’re optimized. Obviously, using SEO best practices that are appealing to search engines in general and creating quality content that is appealing to people is the winning combination. Still, there are some ideas that Bing favors a keyword rich domain, a longer-is-better domain age, linking out (yes, OUT), and pages with at 300 words of text. Play around a bit, try some new things and see if there’s some Bing movement. Isn’t that what we do best, anyway?

Whatever, I Just Want to Care About Google

I prefer Google, too, but now that those “other” two search engines have essentially combined, they’ve got about 30% of the market share. I think it would be foolish to not pay attention to how your website keywords rank in bing. My advice? If you’re currently not performing well in bing, I would make some minor adjustments and see if you can increase your ranking. Do you really want to ignore 30% of the the search population, who are also potential customers? I know I definitely don’t.