Archive for Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan

Showing 91 items

  • Build a Better Cesspool
    Traditional media troops are pitted against the burgeoning voice of populace publishing. What's search's role in today's publishing environment? May 13, 2009
  • Luxury Brand Survival
    Did you ever notice that luxury brands that have been with us since the dawn of time somehow survive economic turmoil? Ever wonder how they do it? Of course, smart search strategies play a role. May 6, 2009
  • Fear the Google
    Fear is one constant in a world of uncertainties. Why do industry experts, advertisers, and pundits seem to be afraid to say anything negative about Google? Apr 29, 2009
  • Do You Track Searcharoundings?
    With advances in targeting, we often have some idea of where people are (geographically speaking), but how much time do we spend thinking about the searcher's state of mind? Short answer: we don't. Apr 15, 2009
  • Trademark: The Next Generation
    Last week's Second Circuit Court ruling in the case of Rescuecom Corp. v. Google turned my head a bit when I first saw it, particularly because of a few notable items we haven't seen before in trademark litigation. Apr 8, 2009
  • The Search World's All A-Twitter
    Many people don't know what to make of Twitter. What is it? What's the point? It's an undeniable guarantee that when you adopt something new and make it your own, someone will be there to wave a finger to explain that you're doing it wrong. Apr 1, 2009
  • Search Goes Global
    Extending a search initiative beyond the borders of the United States represents its own unique challenges, not the least of which is that it looks easier than it is. Mar 26, 2009
  • What Should You Do When You Get Canned?
    Change is inevitable. You never know when you might encounter the folks you work with again and in what capacity. What goes around often comes around, so behave accordingly and it might just come back to you in a positive way. Mar 11, 2009
  • The End of the Beginning
    The first generation of the search-advertising model has passed. The next generation of search advertising and natural search will take some of the power away from the elite few in favor of placing the tools in the hands of the people. Before we see the next generation rise, we'll have to pay some dues. Mar 4, 2009
  • Maximum PPC
    Advertisers big and small face the dilemma of reaching max capacity with their search budgets and they reach a point of hesitation that resembles trying to swim through quicksand. The vast majority of companies would increase search budgets, if only their perceived barriers were removed. Feb 25, 2009
  • Top 5 SEM Industry Frustrations
    In the spirit of anonymous rants written by and for the people, here's a smattering of the top frustrations I'm hearing from practitioners in the search engine marketing trade. Feb 11, 2009
  • Google and the Obama Administration
    I thought we were moving past paying back campaign favors with key positions. I thought we were changing the world. Transparency doesn't mean appointing your supporters so they can continue building their brand by plugging in familiar connectivity. Feb 4, 2009
  • Yahoo's New Era
    President Obama received a warm welcome with record-breaking fanfare, but I just didn't see the outpouring of joy for Yahoo's new chief executive. I suppose one could argue the United States is in much worse shape than Yahoo, but the lack of enthusiasm I've seen for Bartz (among the digerati) is disappointing. Jan 28, 2009
  • Is One-Stop Media Buying a Failed Model?
    Once merely an afterthought in the media buying process, auction-based media has changed everything for everybody. Or has it? Is it possible that some things just don't fit? The media buying model has yet to achieve the much-hyped shift that so many pundits predicted a short time ago. Jan 21, 2009
  • Tibet's Revenge
    There's quite a bit of controversy over things like censoring search results. Judging by the majority of the responses I received on last week's column, most of you got the humor in it. For those who didn't, or only read the headline and first three sentences, please continue on to the punch line at the end. Jan 14, 2009
  • Forget Tibet; Free the Content
    In China, search engines are responsible for the content to which they provide links. This means anytime the Chinese government decides that a certain type of content isn't worthy of its people, they can tell search engines not to list them. Jan 7, 2009
  • What Will 2009 Bring Us?
    Yes, the weather outside is mighty frightful and the economic climate will be spiteful. Since we can't afford to go anywhere, let it search, let it search, let it search. Dec 17, 2008
  • An Open Letter to Retailers Concerning Black Friday
    When has organizing a frenzied mass of humans ever ended well in the history of mankind? The wisdom of crowds is an Internet fantasy. Isn't it time to move more marketing efforts online? Dec 3, 2008
  • Yahoo's Next Move
    While many onlookers see Jerry Yang's tenure as CEO of Yahoo as a failure, that's not really accurate. He stepped in to rebuild a floundering machine, and is now making way for the next evolution of the world's most powerful portal. Nov 19, 2008
  • Must We Unlock the Deep Web?
    Search engines are good at what they do, but they aren't especially great at it. Local information, research documents, mountains of medical data, and other information lies buried beyond the reach of GoogleBot and other crawlers. But is any of that information really useful? Nov 12, 2008
  • Suing Google over Yahoo
    Yahoo's last ditch effort to generate additional revenue and thwart a hostile purchase from Microsoft might have provided sufficient impetus for a partnership six months ago, but we're a long way from the world we all knew then. The government, consumer watchdogs, and advertisers are all raising opposition to the Google-Yahoo ad deal. The drama is far from over. Nov 5, 2008
  • Search Trademark Hobby Kit
    Who owns the trademark when it comes to search? A lot of angry litigation stems from the huge dollars that big brands measure from clicks on their trademarked terms in search results. Are they simply misunderstanding the search realm and buying funnel? Oct 29, 2008
  • Vote Obama/Google in '08?
    Google CEO Eric Schmidt hit the campaign trail this week with presidential candidate Barack Obama. Did he cross the line? Is there any merit to Google's statement that Mr. Schmidt's personal beliefs are his own and Google isn't backing Obama, just its CEO? Oct 22, 2008
  • Googloomy Times, Desperate Measures
    Crashing markets, bank bailouts, and government investments in the private sector are the new norm. Let's take a closer look at what you can do to avoid being caught up in the hoopla. If you're smart about it, you might just benefit from the downside and create your own upside. Oct 15, 2008
  • Stop In-House SEO Disasters Now!
    Whether you're in the house or outside it, fighting the good fight is never easy. Though we don't do it enough, hat's off to the in-house SEO practitioners everywhere. Oct 8, 2008
  • In Tough Economic Times, Whither Search?
    The news about our world's economic conditions aren't just bad, they're insane. What will happen to advertising and marketing dollars as a result? Is search insulated from our economic meltdown? The short answer: not by a long shot. The long answer is a bit more complicated. Oct 1, 2008
  • I'm a PC, What Are You?
    Apple is trying to connect with the rest of the world (beyond college students dominating the Mac audience) via great ad campaigns. However, if you can't connect with your audience in the real world, you're flushing all your marketing efforts right down the drain. Sep 24, 2008
  • Launch Google Freedom Now
    How much power should Google have? How much is too much? Why should you care? Would we really be better off in a Google-free world? Sep 17, 2008
  • Rehabilitating SEO -- Part 2
    Time is a precious commodity, especially for search marketers. Every generation of Internet tools and technologies have to pass through time-waster adolescence. As an SEO, you need to recognize where in the continuum you are. Besides that, SEOs can spend entirely too much time heading in the wrong direction, a fact that is the epitome of counter-productivity. Sep 3, 2008
  • Rehabilitating SEO
    Search marketers are some of the most passionate and dedicated people I've ever encountered. Those seeking to advance their position within search results can easily become obsessed (to the point of addiction) with checking results and positioning. When considering how your SEO time is spent, what's important and what isn't so important? What kinds of things are OK to obsess over? Are there ways to improve or correct obsessive SEO behavior? Aug 27, 2008
  • The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?
    In the end, searches are still up; search revenues are still strong; and the sky isn't falling. Universal or blended search means lower click volume. The data's right. But why? Aug 20, 2008
  • Search Ad Tools Help Manage Complexity
    Search advertising tools have been unhappily married to search providers since they first appeared on the scene. But increasing consolidation and acquisition of search advertising tools by big holding companies is slowly opening a window of opportunity for independent providers. Aug 13, 2008
  • Woohoo for Yahoo
    Even after the vote re-count, a majority of shareholders voted Yahoo's board in, and Carl Icahn settled for the right to propose two board seats and a spot for himself. At the end of the day, what's more important than rebuilding the Web's biggest brand? Aug 6, 2008
  • What's Wrong With Being Cuil?
    Cuil may be a good search engine...someday. But launching it as a "Google-killer" was a mistake. What have we learned today? First, make sure it works before you launch it. Second, make sure you can live up to your claims or you'll suffer the consequences. Jul 30, 2008
  • The Japanese Search, Why Don't We?
    Should search be turning Japanese? Kevin Ryan really thinks so. Jul 23, 2008
  • Google's Path to Domination
    And you may ask yourself, 'how did we get here?' Today's search landscape is a result of Yahoo trying to integrate large acquisitions too fast, while Google focused on core disciplines, small complimentary acquisitions, and smart build-outs. And today, Microsoft is trying to do the same thing Yahoo failed at five years ago. Think it'll work this time? Jul 16, 2008
  • What's on your Mind?
    Anyone engaged in the practice of search has at one time or another struggled to motivate searchers. Motivation comes in the form of click action, triggered by text. But the action starts long before reaching search results. Jul 9, 2008
  • Yahoo's Judgment Day
    Microsoft was set to save Yahoo from certain death with a solid offer to purchase assets, or so we thought. According to yesterday's shareholder presentation, the deal wasn't such a great idea. Jul 2, 2008
  • Yahoo's Suicide Pact with Google
    Who cares if Yahoo outsources its search advertising to Google? You should. On what planet is having only one place to buy anything a good thing for competitive pricing? Jun 25, 2008
  • Social Networks: We Are All Animals
    People don't talk anymore. They misinterpret information, fly off the handle, and dehumanize the people around them. To them, people on the receiving on end of communications aren't people at all. A lot of human complications could be reconciled by being forced to experience the tears, smell the anguish, and see the bloody devastation that one has created, live and in person. Jun 18, 2008
  • Carl Icahn Can't Save Yahoo
    Last week's public exchange between Icahn and Yahoo management is just the latest round of treating symptoms while ignoring the illness. As is often the case when corporate spats go public, lots of questions remain in the minds of searchers, search marketers, Yahoo shareholders, Microsoft employees, and the general public. Jun 11, 2008
  • Who Owns the Brand?
    For a whole lot of really good reasons, brands (particularly those with resellers) maintain an ongoing battle to protect their brands. And in the online world, they want to hold search engines accountable. Jun 4, 2008
  • Forget Competition, the Search Wars are Over
    Advertisers love competition because (arguably) costs will be driven down. In the single search environment that already exists in many countries around the world, search advertising costs are set by one entity. Maybe we shouldn't count the key competitors out just yet. May 28, 2008
  • Yellow Pages and Search
    Yellow pages directories and search engines are hopelessly intertwined as directories feed search queries and search queries feed directories. A new spin on the old book might just connect the dots. May 21, 2008
  • Google's Superiority Complex
    In the end, is Google's search advertising system better than Yahoo's, or are they just monetizing better? It sounds like a little bit of both, but we shouldn't count Yahoo out. May 14, 2008
  • 100 Million Theoretical Dollars
    In a recent episode of South Park, the characters set out to create a viral YouTube video to earn their millions. While you're waiting for 100 million real dollars, capitalizing on the connection between traditional placement and search can be as easy as lip-syncing Romanian dance music. May 7, 2008
  • Visually Impaired Search
    Like search ads, PageRank, and blended search, Google's newly launched VisualRank image search technology has the potential to change the way SEO is done. Start paying attention now. Apr 30, 2008
  • Who Will Cry for the Newbies?
    Search engines now own ways of combining data from ad units and site visits along with the means to deliver ads to consumers. As owners of "one stop" toolkits, these search engines should be taking the same care to actually educate while filling their coffers. Apr 23, 2008
  • Search and Future Think
    The dot-com BS generator meets Futuresearch and the metrics kit hits the brand. Apr 16, 2008
  • Making Yahoocrosoft a Reality
    The quibbling of two secondary competitors, while another lengthens its lead, has resulted in the downfall of many in the past. This week, I humbly offer some advice for both sides. Apr 9, 2008
  • How to Survive a Recession ... In Search
    With a recession looming, at least according to the constant warning bells from the media, you may be looking at ways to weather the coming storm. With these five steps, you can improve the chances of your business surviving, and thriving, during hard times. Apr 2, 2008
  • Search Within a Search: Where's it Leading?
    While publishers get up in arms over a new feature in Google's SERPs, they should be thinking a bit more about the big picture, and Google's evolution into a destination site. Mar 26, 2008
  • Uncovering the Real Universal Search
    There appears to be a lot more non-text results showing up in Google searches than many people expect. The effects this will have on searchers, and advertisers, may be a bit disturbing to some. Mar 19, 2008
  • Q&A with Nicholas Carr, author, The Big Switch
    Carr's new book explores the future of computing and its implications for business and society. He'll discuss some of those topics today during his opening keynote at SES New York. Mar 18, 2008
  • SES New York and You
    If you make it to SES New York, you can make it anywhere in the search marketing world. Mar 12, 2008
  • The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?
    In the end, searches are still up; search revenues are still strong; and the sky isn't falling. Universal or blended search means lower click volume. The data's right. But why? Mar 5, 2008
  • The TV Writers -- And the Buzz -- Are Back
    Yahoo Shortcuts and Buzz: powerhouse for marketers seeking to capitalize on the connected world's desire to search and find. Feb 27, 2008
  • Housebreaking the Search
    Housebreaking search research from Kevin Ryan, host of the SES New York Super Session, "How to Train Your Pets to Search." Feb 20, 2008
  • The Search Monopoly Transforms
    Yahoo Cybertrauma, Optimus Google Monopoly, and Microsoft Megatronic Impulses and the fate of the search universe. Feb 13, 2008
  • 2008: Google, Yahoo and MSN Join Together
    Industry insider's view of Internet titans Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and Yahoocrosoft. Feb 6, 2008
  • The Day the Agency Model Died
    The agency model died in Paris. No, not Gisele Bundchen or Carla Bruni. Kevin Ryan on Google, Publicis, WPP and the Angel of Death. Jan 30, 2008
  • A Gloomy Searchonomic Forecast
    Freakonomics reigns as Yahoo decides whether to throw in the search engine towel. Here's why it's all over if Yahoo does. Jan 23, 2008
  • Search Doesn't Matter
    Is Google the Microsoft of the new millennium? Does search matter the way IT did four years ago? Jan 16, 2008
  • Local Search Revelations
    The latest local search survey statistics: Who's online and what they're up to. Jan 9, 2008
  • 2008 Wish List: Search Engine Hangover Cures
    2008 wish list: abridged, but uncensored cures for pseudo-search engines, link baiting bloggers, and stupid press release tricks. Jan 2, 2008
  • Google vs. the World
    Round 1 goes to Google/DoubleClick and the U.S. FTC. Round 2: Will the EU strike a blow for global privacy? Dec 26, 2007
  • Yahoo, Facebook, Life and Death
    2008 will be the year of... Dec 19, 2007
  • Google Mobile Search Gamble: Everybody Wins?
    Google gambles on Android dreams: everybody wins? Dec 12, 2007
  • SEM Brand Reputation Management
    How search advertising can save the day...and your life. Dec 5, 2007
  • Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 2
    Search Engine: Land of Opportunity? comScore world tour rocks U.S. search engines' world. Nov 28, 2007
  • Stop In-House SEO Disasters Now!
    In-House SEO. How to become a master of In-House disaster. Nov 21, 2007
  • Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 1
    Global search marketing. Search query growth. Ryan scores exclusive comScore data. Part 1 of a series. Nov 14, 2007
  • Should You Join the PageRank Hysteria?
    PageRank is the SEO equivalent of a stock ticker. How much time do you want to invest watching the PR ticker? Nov 7, 2007
  • Achieving Brand and Affiliate Harmony in Search
    Forget brand vs. brand brawls in the search engines. The new UFC: Affiliate vs. brand at SES @ A4U London. Oct 31, 2007
  • Raising Search Standards and the Compliance Bar
    New IAB/DMA standards will change the way interactive agencies, SEMcos, and solo search practitioners do business. Here's why you need to know what a SEMco is and how your business will change. Oct 24, 2007
  • The Real Impact of Blended Search
    Since the major engines have introduced blended and universal search results, they have seen increased traffic to their video and image sites. Are searchers warming to the blended search concept? Oct 17, 2007
  • The Year Search Makes Contact With Everything
    Universal Search in 2007: The Year Search Makes Contact With Everything.
    Oct 10, 2007
  • Halo 3 as Meta4 Redux
    Last week, the big launch of Halo 3 enticed gamers in droves; this week, gamers take on a whole new kind of fight. Oct 3, 2007
  • Halo 3 as Meta4
    With the release of Halo 3, it's worth your while to take a look at what we can learn from the big launch. See how you can entice searchers with the right marketing message. Sep 26, 2007
  • Skyrockets In Flight, Google to the Moon?
    Has Google officially jumped the shark? Hey Sergey, are you goofing on Elvis? Searching For Meaning asks if Google has left the building. Sep 19, 2007
  • The Search Marketing Human Capital Problem
    Are you an HR exec hunting for human "search marketing" resources? Or an SEM pro hunted by executive recruiters? Find out what human capital is worth. Sep 12, 2007
  • How Search Will Save Online Advertising... Again!
    The credit crunch might have some casualties, but search won't be one of them. Sep 5, 2007
  • Waiting for Google to Exhale
    Universal search and refined paid search... what are they really changing? Aug 29, 2007
  • Public Relations Train Wrecks
    Kevin Ryan reports in from SES on the press and search optimization controversy. Aug 22, 2007
  • Google vs. the World
    Kevin Ryan is here to tell you that privacy is dead and your future lies in everyone else's hands. Aug 15, 2007
  • Yellow Pages and Search
    A new spin on the old book might just connect the dots. Aug 8, 2007
  • Taking Off at SES Travel Edition
    Kevin Ryan returns from the event with carry on, sage advice. Aug 1, 2007
  • Turning Local Inside Out
    Search providers have been trying to figure out local search since the dawn of the Web defined search as an information vehicle. That is, before content went commercial. Kevin Ryan takes a look at what local search looks like today.
    Jul 25, 2007
  • Housebreaking the Search
    Kevin Ryan struggles with search marketing for grown-ups. Jul 18, 2007
  • Up Your SEM Knowledge Now!
    Kevin Ryan reviews the importance and provides sources of SEM education. Jul 11, 2007
  • Stop In-house SEO Disasters Now!
    An ode to the in-house SEO practitioner. Jun 29, 2007

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