Exploiting Universal Search – Part 3: Google Base

So, Google Base, what is it then? Google Base is a database held by Google which allows webmasters to add lots of different types of content to it. The range of data types Google Base accepts is relatively broad and includes most popular types of structured data, such as Excel spreadsheets, XML files, PDFs and images. At Google’s whim this data can be used within web search, Google Maps, and its Shopping vertical. Essentially Google uses Google Base as another method of finding and displaying content, supplementing the data it finds from its standard crawling and the crawling of your Google Sitemaps. Google Base data will often make it into Google’s standard search results. Here are a few illustrations: Recipes: Typing in the word ‘recipe’ or ‘recipes’ into Google or any combination of search terms including the word ‘recipe’ or ‘recipes’ will often display a recipes ‘one-box’ (read about Google... Read full article

Crossing the pond with your search engine marketing strategy

With the internet succeeding so far in keeping its promise to bring us all closer and break down geographical barriers to commerce, selling more to more people in more places has never been more possible. Search engine marketing (SEM) is perhaps the fastest, most cost effective and logistically friendly way to take advantage of this opportunity and extend your market reach into new countries and territories. With access to SEM programmes like AdWords, and optimising your site for natural rankings, a business can tap quickly into a purchase-motivated audience anywhere in the world. But before you rush to your territory map and stab a pin in the nearest available landmass, you must spare some thought for the local audience on the ground. Localisation essentials When it comes to keywords in an SEM campaign it is important to remember that they are representative of an entire culture's popular experience of your... Read full article

Top Search Stories - November 2007

After much speculation in recent weeks about the launch of the ‘Google Phone’, search giant Google has now unveiled its plans for the mobile space and it goes far beyond a simple handset. In a far more ambitious bid to realise the potential of mobile, Google, along with more than 30 of the world’s biggest tech and mobile companies, including HTC (a handset maker), Motorola, T-Mobile and LG, has formed the Open Handset Alliance. The group plans to develop a single open platform for mobile devices named Android, which will bring multimedia applications, browsing and telephony services to the 3 billion strong global mobile community. Crucially for Google, Android presents multiple advertising opportunities enabling the company to continue its current rate of growth and move beyond its reliance on PC driven internet; after all, there are more mobile phones than internet users in the world. Android-based phones are expected to... Read full article