Ask.com Has a New Look
Ask.com has introduced a new version of its search engine this month, complete with faster result speeds, more relevant search results, and an improved user interface. The company announced that download speeds are now 30 percent faster than they were this time last year, and instead of four clicks to get to the answer you are searching for, users now only need one click. Company executives announced that answers to searchers' questions will now be displayed in the initial search results, cutting down on the time users spend sifting through results. As part of its ongoing effort to retain its current customer base, Ask.com has also launched \"Ask Q&A,\" which will appear as a bar on the right-hand side of the page offering options for the user to learn more about the question he/she is searching upon by browsing through same-topic questions asked by other Ask.com users.
Google and Yahoo! Delay Ad Deal
Both Google and Yahoo! recently released statements announcing they are delaying the implementation of their ad partnership (publicized last month). Both engines are saying that they are allowing the government more time to investigate the deal before moving forward. The government investigation was prompted by fears in the industry that the partnership would unreasonably raise prices for paid search advertising. There is talk of the Justice Department implementing a volume cap on the amount of Google ads Yahoo! would be able to use if the deal goes through. Since Yahoo! makes more money off of Google ads than it does off of its own, the cap would prevent Yahoo! from completely abandoning its own search technology and Google from gaining an overwhelming market share because of it. It has been suggested that the Justice Department would use a reporting mechanism to ensure compliance should the two engines agree to this constraint.
Yahoo! Testing an Updated News Layout
Beginning in the last week of October, Yahoo! has a new layout for its news page. The new layout offers more video clips, results, and a more modern, streamlined design. Another aspect of the updated look is the more prominent placement of its paid advertisements. The engine hopes the new design will provide incentives for both users and advertisers.
Yahoo! Analytics
Yahoo! Web Analytics, born through Yahoo!'s acquisition of IndexTools earlier this year, has just released its first phase of services (in beta) aimed at improving user experience. The new Yahoo! Small Business technology will allow website owners, e-merchants, developers and advertisers to evaluate their current website marketing practices and make changes based on reports of their visitors' experiences. Through analysis of page views, units sold (if applicable), and traffic, website owners will be able to adjust their own sites to increase visitor satisfaction, customer retention, and overall profit. Yahoo! will continue to introduce more and more of its analytics platform through 2009.
Google's AdSense for Games
Google is in beta testing for its new AdSense technology to be used in online video games. The technology, named AdSense for Games, allows text, video, or image-based advertisements to appear before the game starts, in between levels of the game, or once the game is over. Advertisers will pay a fee each time their advertisement is clicked upon. AdSense for Games also contains a filtering capability, allowing advertisers to control which ads are seen on which pages. Google executives say the revenue from such ads will be split between the engine and the game owner or creator. Google is currently accepting applications from potential beta users and publishers for AdSense for Games.
Google Audio Indexing on YouTube
For those Internet users who have an interest YouTube videos, Google Labs is now providing video search results titled \"Google Audio Indexing.\" The technology allows users to type in a phrase or search parameter, which is followed by a list of video results from YouTube.com containing the search phrase in the content of the video or in the video title. Clicking on any given result brings the video up on the right-hand side of the screen, complete with markers on the seek bar showing at exactly what point(s) in the video the search phrase is used. At the moment, Google Audio Indexing is only available on the subject of politics, although a wider variety of subjects is sure to follow in the future.
Click to Buy on YouTube
The popular video-sharing website YouTube is now adding an e-commerce platform to its offerings. In response to the site receiving so many inquiries about which songs, video games, or soundtracks were featured in certain videos, the site is now offering a click-to-buy option. The links will be listed underneath the video with the other 'community features' and will allow users to click a link that takes them directly to a purchase point for the song or video game in question. iTunes and Amazon.com will be the main providers of these products, at least in the beginning. YouTube plans to expand its partnerships in the future, offering film, TV, and print \"click-to-buy\" retail links to reach a wider audience and maximize the company's revenue.
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