The Online Marketing Guy

OK, so the WSJ is saying that Doubleclick might be on the block for 2 billion. No biggie, right?

Well, who do we all know with pockets deep enough to handle that purchase and still have change for parking? Microsoft.

Makes sense, sort of.

If Microsoft buys Doubleclick, they’ll be one of, if not THE, largest providers of ad serving services in the world - to say nothing of network opportunities. You’d htink this might make Google quiver a bit - right?

Nope - see, it appears they are planing (unofficially) to make a carbon copy of the Doubleclick system for themselves. No details have resolved around all this, but the possibilities are interesting.

OK, so back to the point. We have this MS + DC beast lurking about, massive in size and it’s about to do…what , exactly?

Serve ads? Cool - but where? Doesn’t matter, as something that size will create it’s own gravity.

But, will it slow G down? Likely not. The critical problem that Microsoft tends to have is that it does big business very well and it does some entry level stuff rather well, but really does nothing to focus on the bulk of the space - in the middle. So, companies stuck in the “mid-size” category find solace with Google’s offerings. Easy to use, robust, low-to-no cost - they’ve built their image on this stuff.

The other rather significant missing item in the puzzle for MS is market share. Google has it, MS wants it. Buying Doubleclick isn’t goign to make Microsoft any better at search, nor will it increase their market share in search.

It could have a positive impact on revenue, but if ever there was one company in history that wasn’t at a loss for funding, it’s Microsoft.

The whole thing is still an interesting idea…but I like the one where MS buys Yahoo better…

Tags: Google, Industry News, Doubleclick, Microsoft by searchgeek
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I’ve got my own list of Adsense tips in other pages here, but today I came across a link to a kick-a$$ Adsense resource, so I’m sharing it.

Many points are NOT startling, but even those already making money might benefit by way of review. For those new to the game, between this info and the Google Heatmap, it’s a powerful combo to get you set up correctly.

After that, it comes down to traffic - which is all up to you and your marketing abilities.

Tags: Google, Resources, Adsense by searchgeek
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I can’t believe this is taking up space on a server somewhere.

http://searchwithkevin.prodege.com/

Someone seriously needs to be drug into the street and shot - K-Fed, too, but the creator of this thing, at the very least.

If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to throw myself in front of a train now, because the world of search has officially hit a wall…

On a more serious note - great marketing ploy - they just captured every 12 year old girl who’s looking to search for something online.

I wonder if their tagline is:

“Search: Without The Talent”

Tags: Meta Search Engines by searchgeek
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Pulse 360 Offers Customized Ad Networks for Publishers to Expand Inventory and Brand Exposure

Pulse 360 Inc., the sponsored links innovator, today introduced Pulse 360 Publisher’s Vertical Network(TM) (PVN), a new service designed to help publishers deal with the growing challenge of competing with monolithic advertising networks for a greater share of inventory.

“Inventory equals opportunity. Today, ad networks like Google’s AdSense can represent the largest amount of inventory in any given vertical segment, not the generally recognized large publisher,” said Lance D. Podell, chief executive officer of Seevast, Pulse 360’s parent company. “Leading publishers must realize that they are at a competitive disadvantage because ad networks are controlling significant amounts of inventory in their core vertical, taking a greater share of advertising dollars.”

The PVN allows a publisher to aggregate thousands of smaller sites within its own branded ad network and represent this inventory as well as syndicate content and other revenue-boosting tools. As a result, publishers get immediate access to more inventory to sell to advertisers, drive traffic and generate more revenue.

“Pulse 360 PVN gives publishers the ability to take an aggressive stance against Google and other ad networks,” Podell said. “We’ve dedicated significant resources to develop a new way for publishers to effectively compete and, in the process, become the category leader in their vertical market by creating and controlling their own ad network.”

Benefits for Pulse 360 PVN Members
Sites that join a branded PVN realize such benefits as:

— Increased monetization opportunities through branded display
advertising sold by the category leader and Pulse 360’s highly relevant
content-targeted sponsored links;
— Access to syndicated content and tools to enhance current site
offerings;
— Direct SEO benefits from cross linking with leading sites and others in
the PVN; and,
— Opportunity to align with a leading brand in the same or related market
segment

Pulse 360 PVN’s are built and maintained on Pulse 360’s proven publisher management and ad-serving platforms which served more than 14 billion advertising impressions in the last 30 days.

To learn more about how Pulse 360 can help you to create your own PVN or be part of a specific PVN, please contact the business development team at 1-866-94-PULSE or bizdev@pulse360.com.

Tags: Vertical Search by searchgeek
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ClickStream Technologies LLC, a Leader in PC Activity Metrics, Lauded for Promoting ‘Consumer Trust and Confidence’ On the Internet

ClickStream Technologies underwent an extensive review by BBBOnLine, who reported that ClickStream’s handling of users’ personal data meets the organization’s stringent privacy requirements. Award of the Online Privacy Seal underlines ClickStream’s commitment to user data integrity and security.

“ClickStream Technologies has shown the strongest dedication to protecting its online customers’ privacy by participating in the BBBOnLine Privacy Program and posting the BBBOnLine Privacy Seal on their website. We commend them for helping to build consumer trust and confidence on the Internet,” said Steve Salter, Vice President of BBBOnLine.

In addition, seal holders agree to participate in the program’s dispute resolution system that provides a consumer-friendly dispute settlement process and offers specific consequences for non-compliance, such as seal withdrawal, publicity, and referral to government enforcement agencies.

“Protecting our users’ personal data has always been of key importance for us at ClickStream Technologies,” said Cameron Turner, CEO and Founder of ClickStream Technologies. “Receiving a privacy seal from a renowned source like the Better Business Bureau shows that we are committed to continuously providing the highest level of data security for our users.”

About ClickStream Technologies

Founded in 2003, ClickStream Technologies is the leader in technology usage metrics. ClickStream Technologies creates a rich, dynamic feedback loop between technology owners and technology users. ClickStream’s products and services deliver business value in every facet of the software cycle from product planning and development to solution deployment, employee productivity and e-learning. Its flagship product, ClickSight(TM), is a patented data-collection technology that helps independent software vendors understand the current and future usage of their product. For more information about ClickStream Technologies, please visit www.clickstreamtech.com

Tags: Metrics by searchgeek
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Video on the Net Alliance Shall Organize and Educate Industry, Users, and Governments to Promote Growth and Evolution of Video on the Net Industry

www.pulver.com announced the formation of the Video on the Net Alliance (”the Alliance”), an international initiative designed to advance the interests of the Internet video industry. The Alliance will advocate on behalf of the emerging video on the Net community, focusing on educating the industry, users and government about the promise of Internet video and the best policy framework to foster innovation and evolution of Internet video. Members of the Alliance will include the multitude of providers, innovators, vendors, entrepreneurs, users, and enthusiasts currently developing, deploying and using Internet video services and applications throughout the world.

“It is essential that we, the members of the Internet video community, dive into the political and policy debates shaping the future of the Internet, video, media and entertainment,” said Jonathan Askin, cofounder and Executive Director of the Alliance. “If we don’t engage government, rules will be established by those without all the necessary information and without the best interests of the Internet video industry and users. It is incumbent upon the leaders of the nascent industry to play in the political arena, to educate government and to shape the rules and solutions to the policy issues confronting this new industry.”

“The nascent video on the Net industry must learn, and learn quickly, how to engage policymakers and speak with a unified and consistent voice, or rules will be set for this emerging industry by those who might not know what policies would best advance Internet video,” Askin added.

“The Alliance will work to ensure that content creators and users world- wide are able to realize the full promise of Internet video,” noted Jeff Pulver, cofounder and Chair of the Alliance. “The Alliance has taken on this challenge in an effort to preserve consumer choice, foster competition, encourage innovation and promote investment in Internet video.”

“The goal of the Alliance is to provide a mechanism to allow for advocacy cooperation between players in the Internet video community,” Pulver added. “We understand that there are many disparate entities throughout the world attempting to solve the various issues confronting the Internet video community. Our hope is that the Alliance will allow us all to avoid wasted, redundant efforts to promote similar social objectives and to foster the rapid deployment and ubiquity of video on the Net under the most conducive political and regulatory environment.”

More information about the Video on the Net Alliance is available at http://www.videoonthenet.org/

Tags: Online Videos, Video on Net by searchgeek
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OK, do you recall the ruckus many, many months ago when Google.de booted BMW’s website from it’s listings? Something to do with the tactics the marketing agency was using, etc., etc.

And Google not liking the redirecting that was going on, so BMW’s site was given the boot for a bit.

Yeah, we all recall it. It seemed to stand out to some as a “watershed” moment of Google making an example of a well-known brand. Never struck me a such. Just the math being crunched and results tabulated leading to changes in the rankings - same stuff we see every day.

But, as the cliche goes, I digress…

Today, it seems, love is in the air. So much so, that the two companies have partnered up to offer Google Map assisted navigation.

Nice to see BMW doesn’t hold a grudge.

…or are they just using to the technology to ensure their hydrogen-power car (bomb?) reaches the correct address if they desire some “pay-back”…?

Snippet from Google’s Blog:

On the Google Maps team, our goal is not only to help you find local businesses, but also to enable you to quickly connect with those businesses, wherever you are. To that end, we recently introduced the ability to call businesses in the U.S. directly from Google Maps, and, as of today, users in Germany can send a business listing found on Google Maps Deutschland directly to cars enabled with the BMW Assist service. Drivers can then set it as the destination for the in-car navigation system, or they can call the business from within the car.

Full story

And here’s the promotional video they’re offering up to explain it all…

German Version

…and the vid is perfect.

The business man is so snappy sending the info to his “economy” level 2-series hatch (chosen, no doubt, to connect with the masses); he patiently uses the iDrive system to call up the info and diligently puts on his seatbelt and hits the start button while waiting for the info to load into the high-end sat/nav system the little entry-level wagon happens to have.

Heck, the vid even ends just-so when he meets the gorgeous blond lady on time and in the right place - good for them!

Now, if we could just get this in a car I can access AND afford…

Tags: Google, Partnerships by searchgeek
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