While you're all reading this, I'm in sunny (rainy?) Puerto Rico preparing for the Passover holiday. This means that you'll see a little less of Barry and me over the upcoming days, at least until the holiday ends. As for me, this isn't much of a vacation since I'm blogging, and why would I want to keep you away from search news? That would be unfair, wouldn't it?
By the way, we're still looking for sponsors for our weekly video series that summarize these events. If you're interested, tell Barry I sent you. Additionally, the schwag addict in me needs duplicates. Send lots. Cool? (kthx.)
Tax Day in the USA
Ah, the day I realize I hate more than ever this year. It was Tax Day on Tuesday, and we "celebrated" (for lack of better word) with a theme:
For what it's worth, the theme DID put a smile on my face, but tax day still sucks. I can't believe the government thinks it's entitled to about 50% of my wages.
Yahoo's Tax Day Update, and Microsoft is in a Similar Boat
In preparation for their own tax due date, Yahoo had a major reshuffling of search results. The sentiment? More Wiki pages on top and "really bad" traffic. On the Microsoft update front, there are "awful SERPs" and it's a "total disaster." With Google's Dewey shuffle, it's not looking good for any search engine right now.
Google 'Dewey' Update Hits the UK
Yup, speaking of which, the reshuffling is back, as the Google "Dewey" update is beginning to impact UK-based users. I, too, keep seeing shuffled results. Maybe I should report my findings to Matt after all.
Google's AdWords Slap, Yahoo Minimum Bids Live
On April 12th, advertisers reported a Google AdWords slap with $10 minimum bid rates. Our commenters saw the same behavior. Is the Yahoo Slap next? Nope, not yet. The Yahoo minimum bids are live but the costs aren't exorbitant. Actually, that's because (as we later learned) that only Yahoo's minimum bid interface is live, but not the new pricing. It'll happen soon, they say. Well, it just happened, prices surge for some advertisers.
And finally, on a similar note, Yahoo was displaying Google AdWords ads in search results as part of a test earlier this month. The test appears to have stopped early, then came back again, and the Wall Street Journal suggests that a partnership could be underway.
Google is Crawling Content Behind Forms
For the SEO-unsavvy webmaster, you're in luck. Google is beginning to submit GET forms and see the content behind web forms. For the SEO-savvy-but-really-want-privacy webmaster, you're going to have to tweak your code to prevent Google from doing it.
Google Sitelinks Update
Google has updated sitelinks for numerous sites and added other sites to the list. Are you one of them?
Yahoo Gets Slurp 3.0
A new Yahoo crawler, Yahoo Slurp 3.0, has been unleashed into the wild. Your biggest concern is that new IP addresses will be used which is important if you're using IP-based checking.
Blended Search Changes Behavior
We're starting to see that blended search is changing user behavior and people are more inclined to click on news stories, videos, and images than the regular blue link. It's time to optimize!
Flickr Video Support Added to Google Reader
Now that Flickr video is out, it was only a matter of time for Google Reader to support the videos. And they did this week. That didn't take long. :)
Google is an Informational Search Engine?
A Penn State study reported earlier says that 80 percent of Google searches are informational, whereas the remaining 20% is split about evenly into navigational and transactional queries. Do you agree with that?
Snake Oil SEO Firm Sued with $100K+ Fine
Eric Pender says it right. "It's firms like these that, in aggregate, can give our industry a black eye." Here we are, defining SEO standards, and there Internet Advancement is, lying about true SEO offerings. I'm sure folks are glad they got what they deserved...for the most part.
Yahoo Sued by Internet Retailer Bigreds
It seems that there's another lawsuit brewing this week. The news is that internet retailer Bigreds is suing Yahoo for $1 million for click fraud that they believe begun in 2002. They refused to settle for $17k, instead requesting nearly 100x as much. Good luck.
Google Local Gives Businesses More Leeway
How do you best feel like you want to represent your company? Well, if you're offering some adult services or something sketchy, chances are, Google doesn't have a pre-filled box for you to select your business type. No need to worry any longer. Google now gives you, the business owner, the ability to enter a category that you feel is the best fit for your company or business, so you can get more targeted business results.
Googleplex Entry Fee? It's Yours to Determine
An eBay auction of a tour of the Googleplex has surfaced in the interwebs this week. The winner gets an insider's view of the "best place to work." Proceeds go to Foundation for the Future, educational organization.
Google AdSense Allows "Choose Units" Reporting Option
For Google AdSense users, you can now filter your reports by a new field called "Choose Units" which lets you either view your results by Ad Units, Link Units, or the two combined. The Google AdSense Blog expounds on the features.
Get Your SEO Terms Straightened Out
It seems that more and more people are not understanding basic SEO terms. Look things up if you're not sure. Maybe this is why people are fighting for SEO standards... not that it would help someone who doesn't know where to look!
Google's Earnings Soar, Again
Google announced outstanding earnings, sending their stock price up 18% so far today. Profits were 30% higher and revenue was up 40%.
Have a wonderful weekend and subsequent week! Don't miss us too much! (I know those of you who are going to SMX Social Media are going to have to hold it in!)
