Pushing Friend Connect and Open Social, Google launched its 80th official blog today - Social Web Blog. The blog will cover “News and updates about Google products that are helping to make the world more social. - Search Engine Watch
Google is taking steps to stay on with the game in Social Media space. Just as Microsoft is search, Google plain sucks when it comes to social media.
Yahoo is celebrating Valentines day on search results showing hearts along right side advertisments.
AOL will cut 10% of its workforce, according to Kara Swisher. That amounts to 700 employees.
The cuts will attempt to focus efforts in New York City, part of a gradual attempt to headquarter there. That will mean consolidation in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and the DC suburb of Dulles, site of the original HQ. It will also scaled down international business, which hasn’t served them well. - Search Engine Watch
Just as Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and other tech companies, AOL is cutting workforce. Who is next? Ask? Did not hear much news about Ask, since the launch of nichified search engines, but the guess is they are also experiences some losses. The problem with Ask is they cannot afford to lose too much because of small market share.
It’s no secret that Google is an avid supporter of net neutrality legislation. Now, in an effort to further their cause, they’ve partnered with he New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, the PlanetLab Consortium, and academic researchers to create M-Lab (Measurement Lab).
M-Lab is designed to help detect whether an internet service provider (ISP) is blocking an internet application. This type of research has been attempted before, but Google says the lack of resources such as servers has held the research back.
That’s where Google comes in. They’ll be supplying 36 servers to 12 locations in the U.S. and Europe. M-Lab will collect data on the blocking or interference by ISPs of user internet use, including BitTorrent. - Search Engine Watch
Its good to see Google taking steps to protect free flow of information on the internet. Currently media system worldwide is very consolidated, with few corporations controlling, managing and censoring information. Few people on the top decide what the public will hear, know and discuss. For instance, Mr. Murdoch, owner of News Corporation owns over 100 channels, dozens newspapers, sattelite company and more. He decides what news go and what news are dropped. Internet on the other hand is free from filters, dependance, control and we need it to stay that way.
Yahoo is protecting it’s “account optimization” program with a post on it’s official blog arguing that they help small and medium advertisers achieve better account performance. If you missed they news, Yahoo can now go into any account and increase bids, add new keywords and write new ads. If this sounds absurd read further. To opt out of the program you have to contact Yahoo and they will decide whether you’re eligible. There’s also no way to receive a refund if you did not want anyone touching your ads.
All advertisers are outraged with the baldness and stupidity of this step.
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