Pubcon Vegas 2009 is under way this week, but if you’re like me and couldn’t make it, don’t worry. You can either check out Lisa’s Live blogging of the event or just settle for these 50 SEO tips so far… Either way, the world of Search & Social moves on without us. Here’s what happened this week:
News Corp Vs. Google
By now, you’ve probably heard or read about News Corp executives suggesting that blocking their properties (including the Wall Street Journal) from the Google index would benefit their bottom line. There’s been plenty of opinions about this, some support it, while many (including Matthew Ingram and Danny Sullivan) think there’s a better solution. While both sides make strong arguments and (either way) blocking Google probably won’t make or break either party, the discussion continues to be polarized with no action being taken (yet) by News Corp.
Youtube creates special branded pages for copyrighted music
In January of last year, Youtube was forced to start taking down videos that contained copyrighted music owned by label Warner Music. Yesterday, these videos started surfacing again, but this time the pages had a much different look. Instead of the normal Youtube colors and layout, the pages include what appears to be advertising promoting the artist in question, including links to a storefront where users can purchase the music. An example can be seen on this Greenday video page.
This isn’t the first time Youtube has done something to protect the rights of copyright owners. Just a few months ago, they ran a successful test run to see if including links to online music storefronts can help boost the sales of the music used in said video.
Google expands its reach in the telecom world
Early this week, Google announced acquisition of mobile display ad company admob. The move is compared to a mobile equivalent of the acquisition of Doubleclick, the display ad company Google acquired nearly two years ago. It has been suggested that the ads are to be targeted for mobile apps, a rapidly growing industry looking for better methods of monetization.
Just yesterday, (amid rumors) Google confirmed it’s acquisition of Gizmo5, “a company that provides Internet-based calling software for mobile phones and computers.” The reported value of the deal is around $30 Million. The addition of Gizmo5 to Google voice could allow Google to further compete with companies like Skype as a stand-alone telephone service provider. It’s clear that Google is determined to become a force in the telephone/mobile phone industry.
Google announces “Go” a new programming language
This week Google released it’s new programming language called Go. Mashable summarizes it best:
Google believes that the web and computing have changed dramatically in the last ten years, but the languages powering that computing have not. But when you get down to it, Google could benefit a great deal from not only having a more efficient programming language, but having one it designed being used in thousands web and software apps.
Digg adds new ads – gets flamed
This week, Digg.com added new ads to select pages that replaced the normal digg background with full screen (background) ads. The first ad of this type was for an online multi-player game called Dragon Age (click here for a screenshot). Soon after the ads began to appear, however, the digg community showed it’s displeasure with the way it looked. The comments say it best:
“Obviously if the digg is resorting to these obnoxious ads then there is a financial problem and they need the cash.”
“The funny thing about the ad is that it’s doing the opposite. It’s putting off users to Dragon [Age]!”
“I hate it. It made the main page less wide than usual. Also, it makes loading digg even slower.”
Digg has since removed this type of advertising (it would seem) in response to the dissent of it’s community.
Lighter side of Social Media
- Google addict? Here’s google in real life.
- Twitter tells users: “Suck our balls.” (spoof video)
- Facebook status update clears teen of 2 criminal charges.
- Do people really try this? I’m serious…Google suggest FAIL.
