Google | Internet Marketing Blog

Why Facebook's 'Graph Search' Is a gamechanger

Facebook, of all platforms, has revolutionized search as we know it. Yesterday, Facebook announced 'Graph Search', a new feature that helps us find people, places and things—and explore Facebook in a whole new way.

'Graph Search' pushes Facebook well beyond the social networking realm. It's a place to socialize and manage connections.

Eliminate the newsfeed, the goofy photos, snarky comments, and over-use of the 'Like Button', and it's all about connections.

Now, smart search will allow us to traverse connections, allow us to sort connections, and allow us to connect with a greater amount of people in different types of ways.

by Brian Reilly 16 January 2013 19:14pm 6 comments

In epic Wall Street battle, hedge fund manager turns to AdWords

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman believes that Herbalife, a multi-level marketing company, is an illegal pyramid scheme.

And he says not just talking: he's shorted Herbalife stock, which is publicly-traded, to the tune of $1bn.

by Patricio Robles 10 January 2013 18:07pm 0 comments

Four ways publishers can address ad blockers

Major internet companies like Google may pleased that the French government told a major ISP that it must stop its automatic filtering of ads for subscribers.

However, make no mistake about it: the dispute over Free's ad blocking is a reminder of what's at stake as more and more consumers seek ways to opt out of online advertising.

Ad blocking software, of course, is not new. Publishers have watched its popularity rise over the years, and while there is debate over just how much revenue publishers lose each year to ad blocking, it's widely seen as a significant threat.

by Patricio Robles 08 January 2013 17:23pm 6 comments

The big three: Google, Microsoft, and Apple in 2013

Throughout the year, the news is punctuated with the latest changes in the big three: Google, Microsoft and Apple.

But what can we expect from them in the year coming up? New products? New software? New directions? And how will these changes potentially affect the marketplace?

by Heather Taylor 07 January 2013 16:45pm 3 comments

Micro-copywriting: the good, the bad and the cheesy pictures

Words are the most important tool marketers and ad men have. To prove it, I’ll show you a picture.

The chart beneath the Bee Gees shows that 60% of people prefer a ‘print experience’ to something ‘whizzy’, on a tablet app.

Obviously, 'print-like' doesn't just mean words, it also refers to typography and, to some extent, pictures. However, in this post I'll be focusing on copywriting, on an achingly small scale.

I'll be highlighting titbits of copy that are done well, in keeping with a company's brand, and make a web experience enjoyable, as well as some that aren't so good.

In the spirit of new media, I’m calling this ‘micro-copy’. And, to the dismay of the A/B testers, I’ll posit that some of my examples are qualitatively ‘better’ than others.

by Ben Davis 07 January 2013 10:28am 31 comments

FTC: Google search bias is a part of innovation

Has Google altered its algorithm to favor its own properties in vertical search results?

Numerous publishers which now find themselves competing with the search engine they rely on for valuable traffic have accused Google of doing just that. Some in the industry have even petitioned antitrust regulators to look into the matter.

by Patricio Robles 04 January 2013 12:30pm 1 comment

The rise of video in 2013

As companies further embrace the need for content, video is becoming a bigger part of editorial calendars and content teams.

Gone are the days of shooting a 10 minute interview and slapping it up on YouTube. Consumers' tastes have become more sophisticated and short form video content has become our brain candy.

But what will 2013 bring the industry in terms of video?

by Heather Taylor 03 January 2013 12:55pm 1 comment

Google and Yahoo confirm that lead generation has hit the big time

As a general rule in digital, it seems that when Google and Yahoo get involved in something it is a pretty good sign that it is important.

After many years of skirting around the fringes of performance marketing, recent product launches from these two online advertising behemoths leave no doubt that Online lead generation is finally ready to step out of the shadows and into the limelight.

by Justin Rees 20 December 2012 09:41am 3 comments

14 of the best infographics we've seen in 2012

By my best estimate I think we've probably been sent around 700,000 infographics this year, many of which were of excellent quality.

Obviously there have been a few duds along the way, but the best way for us to share all the decent graphics we are sent is in our regular Friday roundup of the best six we've received that week.

And the logical conclusion to our weekly roundup is a final collection of the best infographics we've seen in 2012.

Just to be clear, there were no strict criteria in the judging process, it's just a subjective roundup of 14 of my favourites from the past 12 months. So here they are...

by David Moth 19 December 2012 12:21pm 9 comments