October 23, 2009

7 Google Updates: Custom Search, AdWords API, Maps, Search Appliance and More

Google had another busy week pushing out updates. That's really no surprise considering Apple released product refreshes and Microsoft released Windows 7. Google hasn't let any major update from any competitor go by without their own news and this week was no different.

We've already covered Google getting a deal with Twitter (similar to Bing's deal with Twitter) as well as a new social search experiment set up in Google Labs.

Here are 7 updates that are slightly minor but you'll still want to know about:

Custom Search is now available for mobile search experiences on smartphone and higher-end devices. Google will even host your mobile-optimized custom search pages for you, or you can host it on your mobile site.

AdWords API has a new version that includes asynchronous calls, keyword and placement ideas, and a location extensions preview.

Google Maps for Mobile has introduced layers for Blackberry users.

Google Search Appliance, an enterprise search server, released an update that includes a Self-Learning Scorer.

Google Friend Connect has a new Wordpress plugin.

Webmaster Central has new instructions for verifying a Blogger blog in Webmaster Tools.

Google Reader added Popular Items and Personalized Ranking features.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 30, 2009

Google Launches Adwords API v2009

Thanks to Thomas Bindl at Refined Labs for pointing out the launch of a new Adwords API - v2009. Seems they have created an entirely new API that offers some interesting new services.

* We've created new web services for managing campaign targeting options and campaign-level criteria. * All web services share a consistent, data-centric interface with two operations: get and mutate. * A secure authentication token replaces the login credentials required in v13 request headers.

The information about the new Google Adwords API can be found here.

Posted by Frank Watson at 5:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 22, 2009

Google Analytics Launches API

It's officially called the Google Analytics Data Export API, and as you might expect, it's being released in beta. But expect all sorts of nifty things to come of it.

Google highlighted some of the uses on the Analytics blog:

Android application to check Analytics from a phone
Desktop application
Email integration
PowerPoint integration
Mashup of AdWords, Analytics, and Salesforce

Get started with the Google Analytics API over at Google Code.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 24, 2008

AdWords API Gets an Update and Extra Quota

Google's AdWords API team has released version 13 of the open source tool. The update includes the following:

New geotargeting options
Active campaign and ad group retrieval
Campaign budget suggestions
Quality-based bid and quality score support
Mobile Image Ad support
Easier MCC account hierarchy retrieval
MCC Alerts support
Search volume data returned in KeywordToolService
Minimum bids no longer supported

For more on the updates, read the release notes:

AdWords API advertisers will also receive 20% more API units from now through January 15, 2009. Here's how it works:

All developers can purchase API units at the rate of 1200/$0.25, up from 1000/$0.25, from now through January 15th, 2009.
Advertisers who are eligible for free API units will receive credit at the rate 300/$ of AdWords spend, up from 250/$ of AdWords spend. They will be credited the holiday bonus based on their spend in previous months.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 30, 2008

AdWords API Gets Local Database Sync Update

Google has launched AdWords API Local Database Sync. This allows you to run reports, store them in a local database, and then query that database.

The AdWords API team says that this should make querying a local database faster and more cost effective.

Jeffrey Posnick informed on the code behind the project:

The scripts are written in Python, and make use of the SOAPpy libraries for accessing the AdWords API SOAP service. The Python code is written against the dbapi2 database API, and by default it will use the SQLite implementation and store the report data in a SQLite database file on the local file system. It's possible to swap out the SQLite libraries for another database library that supports the dbapi2 interface.

What do you think about Local Database Sync? Share your impressions in the comments.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 12, 2008

Google Custom Search Creates New Developer Guide

Google Custom Search has created a new developer guide, which is now available at the Google Code site. The guide was built from scratch with a new organization, search box, and navigation. There's also more pictures to break up an otherwise monotonous document (what's useful isn't always what's exciting).

The new developer guide also digs into background information and complex information as well as makes suggestions to help you on your way.

With the new guide, users can now search across multiple APIs. Google Custom Search fuels the search on the Google Code website.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 9:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 8, 2008

Cry w00t! and Let Slip the Dogs of Search Engine WarGames

Will you be one of "The 10,000?" Remember the flick "The 300?" Well Google App Engine wants to make those guys look like a bunch of sissy Amazons with their new Web services platform.

That's the open platform where Open Social common APIs took the developer world by storm.

The preview release of Google App Engine is restricted to the first 10,000 developers to sign up.

Not a developer? Let's try another metaphor: Have you seen the Japanese flick "The Host?" Well now you don't have to. Google wants to do the hosting for you. Then you can hire developers to create mutant software apps on the GOOG infrastructure.

If you are a developer, you already missed the latest edition of Google Campfire One, the developer get-together at the Google campus.

(Yes that's the invitation-only S'Mores roast held at the Googleplex, hence the, uh, unique brown Google Campfire logo.)

The bennies of Google App Engine:

1. Write code once and launch.

2. Absorb traffic spikes with automatic replication and load balancing. Think Bigtable.

3. Integrate with other Google services with built-in components and Google's library of APIs for plug-and-play functionality.

Based on Google's aggressive product marketing roadmap, we anticipate Google App Engines to be out of beta no later than 2012.

So cry w00t!!! and let slip the dogs of search engine war games!

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 2:16 AM | Permalink

December 12, 2007

Google Mobile Search G-Force: Android Trojan Horse?

Google Android software stack: Google's gift to the telcos. Or Trojan Horse? Adam Soroca, GM of Jumptap, sees dangers in mobile operators inviting Google inside their castle walls.

With Sprint sprinting to join the Open Handset Alliance and T-mobile mobilizing to ride the Android wave, who will own the valuable search real estate on mobile phone platforms? Who will monetize search traffic and own the relationship with the mobile operators' current customers?

The biggest danger to carriers? Consumers will be able to bypass mobile operators altogether.

Soroca, a former exec with Google competitor Lycos, shared some insights into Google's likely long-term strategy. "The Google toolbar watches everything users do online in real time," he said. "Look at what Google can do with mobile phones: see every contact people dial, track and serve what ads they see. It's clear their intent is to have all search and advertising run through their toolset -- from Google AdWords and customer acquisition through the final Google Checkout transaction."

Google Android Trojan horse inside the mobile operators' walls would challenge Jumptap's white label search platform for mobile operators. Jumptap's software platform and service helps operators maintain their relationship with subscribers and retain search and advertising revenue.

Google's efforts to create standards and open APIs for mobile platforms is a terrific benefit to the industry, notes Soroca. Google's reach, powerful brand, and developer incentives will speed the industry's move toward open platforms. In short, it's a Google gift for mobile operators, mobile search, and local search on mobile devices.

It's not a gift, though, that will keep on giving.

"Android is more than just a Trojan horse," said Soroca. "Android can take awy all search and advertising revenue streams from mobile operators, who have the opportunity to become one of the most sophisticated and targeted ad networks on the planet."

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 3:41 PM | Permalink

October 31, 2007

Google to Launch OpenSocial APIs

Shortly after losing out to Microsoft in its efforts to woo social network du jour Facebook, Google has unveiled OpenSocial, a set of common APIs to be backed by Google and an alliance of social sites including LinkedIn, Friendster, Plaxo and Ning.

The strategy is meant to attract developers to an open platform, as Facebook started doing earlier this year. Google is touting the open nature of its platform, and the participation of multiple sites.

"OpenSocial will bring more powerful and pervasive social capabilities to the web because developers will be able to develop and distribute their applications more easily. Users will be able to enjoy new social features faster and in more of the websites, web applications, and social networks they use," a Google spokesperson said.

Google will create a "developer sandbox" on its Orkut network where developers can test the APIs, and will offer resources on OpenSocial at http://code.google.com/apis/opensocial.

Marc Andreessen, whose social media site Ning is participating, has posted some technical details on OpenSocial at his pmarca blog.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 11:55 AM | Permalink

October 10, 2007

Google's Ajax Search API

The Ajax APIs are one of those services from Google that I think does not get the attention it deserves. For example, Google's Ajax Search API allows a web master to integrate search results within their web page, with complete control over the look and feel. In addition, you are also able to dynamically pull in results from several sources, including:

Web Search
Blog Search
News Search
Video Search
Local Search

During my recent visit to the Googleplex, I spoke with Mark Lucovsky, Google Technical Director, and Chris Ulbrich from Google's PR department, about recent developments. I learned some new cool things you can do with this API:

1. The NY times blog has integrated a Ajax search of a set of blogs it call the "opinion blogs" on it's site. Look for the phrase "from the opinion blogs" on the right column of the page. The major thing you notice - no trace of Google branding in the results. None.

2. They have a project they are working on for a Local Search Control. This feature allows you to embed local search directly into a Google Map. Very, very cool. Better still, in the future you should expect to see AdSense integrated into this functionaliy, although this feature is not yet available to the general public.

If you are looking at how to integrate search results into your site, and want to present those results as content, the Ajax Search API provides you with a great range of capabilities for doing just that.

Posted by at 10:13 AM | Permalink

June 11, 2007

Google's Ajax Feed API Interview with Mark Lucovsky

Google recently announced an extension to its Ajax API to include an Ajax Feed API. I spoke with technical director Mark Lucovsky about the Ajax Feed API to learn what it was about, and what it means for web masters.

The very cool thing about this API is that it enables you to easily access RSS and Atom feeds, and create mashups of the feeds. While this is something that you can do on your own any way, doing it on your own can be difficult, and Google does a lot of the heavy lifting to make this task easier. For example, it's one thing to find out how to read someone's RSS feed, and it's another to deal with a whole variety of feeds running on different versions of the feed standards.

For example, will your code still work if the feed you are reading changes from RSS1 to RSS2? Google virtualizes all of this interaction. Google also creates simple constant Javascript properties in JSON format for elements in the feed such as the author, the title, the link to the full content, and the description. Other elements are made available in XML format.

The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of programming required to integrate information from feeds onto your site. An advanced programmer might require the assistance, but probably can still benefit from it. Now, however, people who are not professional programmers, but have basic Javascript development skills can manipulate these feeds much more easily.

Posted by at 10:17 AM | Permalink

May 10, 2007

Google Launches New "Geo" Blog

Google has started a new blog focusing on Google Earth, Maps, Local and APIs. Lat Long Blog will chronicle Google's efforts to build the "geoweb," according to John Hanke, director of Google Earth & Maps.

I don't think that there is agreement on what the geoweb is, but I think there is a lot of enthusiasm and energy across many fronts to make it happen. I expect the "it" will evolve substantially over the next few months and years as we (the geo ecosystem on the web) collectively figure out how "earth browsers," embedded maps, local search, geo-tagged photos, blogs, the traditional GIS world, wikis, and other user-generated geo content all interrelate.

Google's geo products and services include the My Maps custom mapping features of Google Maps, as well as geo searches, which surface user-created geographic information in local searches in Google Maps and Google Earth. The blog cites two examples of geo searches: windsurfing near San Francisco and Jerry Seinfeld in NY.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:29 AM | Permalink

August 23, 2006

Google Releases Google Base API

The Google Code blog announced that Google Base now has an API. You can access the API's details at http://code.google.com/apis/base/. The API is like other APIs in that you can now program your own applications to interact and interface with Google Base. So with this API you can create new Google Base data, edit, delete existing data, and query for data items. This can come in handy for retailers or anyone who wants data to be found within Google Base.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:48 AM | Permalink

July 27, 2006

French Court Preventing Greenpeace France From Displaying Crop Data On Google Maps

BoingBoing spotted an interesting case where a French court ordered Greenpeace France to remove a site using the Google Maps tool to display "locations of commercial, genetically engineered corn fields in France." Greenpeace France overlaid an X in the spot of those corn fields. They have removed the site, but plan on appealing the order. "Greenpeace argues the online maps should not be censored because an EU law requires the French government to make the crop site information public anyway," Xeni Jardin of BoingBoing writes.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 11:36 AM | Permalink

May 15, 2006

Google Releases Version Four of AdWords API

The Google AdWords Blog announced the release of version four of the Google AdWords API. Part of this update is that the new terms of use goes into affect, that we discussed earlier about using the API for commercial purposes. If you are an API user, you must update to v4 by July 12th.

Other updates to the API include; + Local time zone support + Enhanced access to more data for reporting + Added fields for traffic estimator by replacing avgPosition with lowerAvgPosition & upperAvgPosition, replacing ClicksPerDay with lowerClicksPerDay & upperClicksPerDay and replacing cpc with lowerCpc & upperCpc + Zero Impression Reporting + Unique Request ID to track API requests + Geo Codes Standardization

You must update the API to version four by July 12, 2006.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 9:02 AM | Permalink

Google Ad Tools, For Newbies

We tend to assume our SEW audience is made up of fairly sophisticated search marketers, but from time-to-time we get requests for pointers from people just starting out with SEM. For those of you who are new to search marketing, I've reviewed a book in today's SearchDay article, Learning Google's Advertising Tools, that offers a solid introduction to getting started with Google's AdSense and AdWords programs.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 6:26 AM | Permalink

April 20, 2006

Google's New GData API Format

Niall Kennedy points to what looks to be a new Google API format, the Google Data API or GData for short, which it says is based on existing formats of Atom and RSS 2.0 (and here). It's designed to let you send requests for data and get back results as an Atom or RSS feed.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 7:37 AM | Permalink

April 12, 2006

Google Adds Pricing Model To Google AdWords API: Opens Commercial Use

Word comes from the Google API blog that Google has changed the AdWords API Beta Program. They will be specifically modifying the quota allocation system & pricing model, which requires an updated terms and conditions to allow use of the API for commercial reasons. Starting July 1st, 2006 the free AdWords API will be fee based, charging a fee of "$0.25/1000 quota units consumed." This will allow AdWords API developers to "commercialize their applications," the new terms can be previewed here. It seems as if, the fees may be associated with only commercial tools. The blog post specifically reads; "certain developers, such as those who design proprietary applications to advertise their own businesses, may be exempt from a portion of these fees and terms."

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 10:03 AM | Permalink

April 7, 2006

Google Maps API Version 2 Released

Google announced earlier this week that the new version two of the Google Maps API is now available. There is now no daily API call limit to Google Maps and if they do put ads in the maps, they will notify you 90-days prior via the blog. Other features include;

- Much smaller JavaScript download. The new Maps API JavaScript file is about half the size of the old JavaScript file, which should improve user experience on your web site. - Two additional satellite zoom levels. Increased imagery resolution and coverage in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Japan, Europe, and almost every major city in the world. - Overview map. Our new GOverviewMapControl control displays an attractive and collapsible map in the corner of the screen. - Extensibility and a new GMap2 class. The GMap2 interface has been redesigned to allow API users to extend it. We now have documented ways of creating custom map controls, custom overlays, and even custom map types. - Fewer memory leaks. The API now includes a GUnload method that you can call in the unload event of your page to destroy most circular references, including those formed implicitly during event registration. On Google Maps, this has virtually eliminated memory leaks in IE. - Debugging log. A simple, floating debug window used internally by the Google Maps engineering team allows you to print debug information easily without blocking program execution or interfering with the UI. Just replace your alert() calls with GLog.write(). - Last but not least, a GLatLng class that is distinct from GPoint. You no longer need to reverse your latitude and longitude to construct a geographic point!

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:41 AM | Permalink

April 5, 2006

Getting More from Google Maps

Google Maps is fundamentally easy to use, but with a bit of extra effort you can create some really interesting, useful "mashups" combining maps with other types of information. For example, I wrote about Placeopedia, a site that lets you map places mentioned in Wikipedia. If you really want to plunge in to creative uses of Google Maps, you should check out Google Maps Hacks, a new book from O'Reilly. I've got a review of the book in today's SearchDay article, Hacking Google Maps.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 8:42 AM | Permalink

December 27, 2005

Google Feed API Coming

Run or building a feed reader? Google's planning a feed reader API, confirms Technorati's Niall Kennedy. He's got more details in Exclusive: Google to offer feed API. It's not clear to me whether this means tapping into data used for Google Blog Search or data that Google Reader develops for its own use or some combination of them both. But I'm sure more details will emerge.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 10:12 AM | Permalink

December 14, 2005

Google Releases Homepage API

Tonight, Google released a new service allowing developers the opportunity to create "modules" for the Google personalized homepage. Google software engineer, Adam Sah posts on the Google Blog in: Build your own Google homepage, that the Google Homepage API has been released. They even offer a collection of a few modules including a clock, a weather map, and a way to personalize the Google logo.

In other words, more tools for developers. Btw, this news comes on the same day that Yahoo renames their Konfabultor product, Yahoo Widgets. Widgets are small apps (calendars, image viewers, search tools, weather info, etc.) that are downloaded to the users desktop.

Since A9 and AOL use the Google web and images databases, they could be also might be considered as variations on what Google offers themselves. Of course, it's very clear that each of these Google database licensees offer their own unique and often useful features. With A9's OpenSearch, the options to add other databases and manipulate results page (expandable columns for example) might also be thought of as a form of personalization. AOL Search has also recently added some new features.

I've taught many classes where the discussion turns to Google's clean, clear, and uncluttered interface as a reason the student LOVES Google.

Even when the uncluttered and personalizable Yahoo interface or how Jeeves, MSN Search, Gigablast, AOL Search, Exalead, Clusty and other engine interfaces are just as clean and clear, it often doesn't matter. To see people react this way is amazing and speaks highly (a big understatment) of Google's branding. It's a clear example of people using what they know and not wanting to think that some other tool might also be of value to them. In my mind, the public's perception (right or wrong) that Google's interface is the only one that's clean and clear and the simplest to use, has played a role in getting the company to where it's today. It's worth mentioning that many people I've worked with feel the opposite way they do about Google's home page about Yahoo's main home page (too busy, too cluttered). That's why search.yahoo.com can be so powerful in showing that Yahoo offers an alternative.

Of course, with services like My Yahoo, MSN Live, My Jeeves, and Google Personalized (things that those of us in the search world know about but many others don't, exception My Yahoo) it's possible for the user to change the look of the page add mail, headlines, etc. Of course, at least at the present time, perhaps a bigger challenge at Google and elsewhere is informing the masses (not search geeks) about what they offer. That means image search, local search, etc. Personalization might be part of this learning curve but I'm not really sure if it comes before knowledge of what services are available in the first place. You have to teach a searcher to personalize I also have to mention (yes, I do it all the time) that a bit of training about how to best use what is already available might also be a good idea. Training for everyone? No, of course not. But training for certain user groups could be very useful.

While personalization and now the possibility of more modules for the personalized home page might be useful for some Google users (the 2-3% early adopter group), the company should remember where they came from. It's a clean and clear interface, simple and easy to use, that's the key component in many users mind.

"Tinkering" with this is something that Mountain View has to keep in at the least the back of its collective mind. As web search technology improves in terms of relevance, competitition gets tougher, more verticals comes online, etc, it's important that Google doesn't forget what got them to where they are today.

For many users (the ones that help make Google a verb) keeping it bare bones is one of the things that makes Google Google and makes simply gaining mindshare (forget marketshare) a challenge for others.

Posted by Gary Price at 12:24 AM | Permalink

December 13, 2005

Google Joins NASDAQ 100 Stock Index; Visualize the Index with Cool Dynamic "Heat Map"

Word that Google has been added to the NASDAQ 100 stock index. This index is, "designed to comprise the largest and most liquid nonfinancial stocks on the Nasdaq," according to The Street.com.

Other companies joining the list of 100 are: Expedia, Red Hat, and Monster. TheStreet.com has more including a list of the companies leaving the list that include: Molex, Dollar Tree, and Qlogic.

According to The Street, "Google was granted a waiver from the usual two-year waiting period for inclusion in the index because of the rapid growth of its market capitalization."

Like visualization tools? Check out this dynamic heat map of the NASDAQ 100.

Posted by Gary Price at 3:03 PM | Permalink

November 3, 2005

Google Desktop 2 Leaves Beta

As Gary noted, Google Desktop 2 has left beta. In addition to several product enhancements, Desktop 2 also has new third-party panels and expanded plug-in development options.

Some of the new features include:

Personalized Maps Panel ? This new Sidebar panel rotates through maps you've pulled up using Google Maps and local.
Enhanced API ? New support for script based plug-ins makes developing panels for Sidebar much easier. Additional details on the updated Google Desktop API are available at desktop.google.com/developer.html.
New Third-Party Plug-ins ? Dozens of new Sidebar panels have been developed using the Google Desktop API, including panels for iTunes and Winamp and a dictionary.
Enterprise Features ? Google Desktop for Enterprise features new administration, integration and security features for business environments.

Google also launched a Google Desktop Blog. A new post today goes into more detail about the personalized maps and API features.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 6:26 PM | Permalink

October 12, 2005

Google Maps & Maps API Draw From Different Data

Google Maps and Their Data Providers over at O'Reilly Radar looks at how for Google Maps, data comes from NAVTEQ while the Google Maps API draws from TeleAtlas data. Why? The assumption is that Google can't get the agreement needed from NAVTEQ. Both Yahoo and MSN make use of NAVTEQ for in both web and API presentation of map data, and that might be tied into commercial products.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 9:59 AM | Permalink

September 30, 2005

Google Plans AdWords Commercial Developer Program

Google will soon be offering enhanced access to its AdWords API, along with membership in a newly formed AdWords Developer Council, to commercial developers who have pushed up against the limits of the existing program.

Google has provided free access to its AdWords API since January. It's most often used by AdWords customers who handle multiple accounts, such as agencies and search marketing firms. API access allows developers to extend AdWords functionality to do things such as automatically generating keywords, ad text or custom reports, or integrate with other databases, such as inventory control systems.

The catch has always been that Google limits the use of this API according to a quota that's assigned based on the number of clients you manage and your total account spend. Use your quota for the month and your access is shut off until the beginning of the next month.

The new Commercial Developer Program is intended to address the needs of developers who exceed their monthly quotas. For an additional fee, developers will be able to increase their monthly quotas, and will also be provided with priority level developer support. They will also become members of the AdWords Developer Council, a group created to share best practices and meet regularly with Google engineers involved in the AdWords program.

Developers will be able to sign up for the new program in December, and the program will go live in January. Google isn't publicly disclosing the pricing structure of the new developer program, a practice it says is common.

For more information on the Google AdWords API, see the AdWords API FAQ.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 6:00 PM | Permalink

September 22, 2005

AdWords Help Online Forum & API Bug Being Fixed

Spotted on the Inside AdWords blog, word of a recently launched AdWords online forum (via Google Groups, of course) named AdWords Help. At the moment, the forum has 267 registered members who can post post questions/responses/comments. If you don't register, you're still able to browse/read posts and search.

And while we're on the Google AdWords beat... Via Smart-Keywords.com we learn that a bug the new AdWords API caused problems for users. The Google AdWords Blog has confirmed the bug and says that the recent API update has been rolled-back. Once the problems have been fixed Google will notify API users and rerelease the code.

Posted by Gary Price at 1:30 PM | Permalink

September 12, 2005

Try WSFinder To Find Web Services & APIs

Trying to track down which company is offering an API these days? The new WSFinder service is a search service / wiki that allows this. One of the founders Chris Law tells me they've got about 90 APIs and web services that developers can find and tap into. You can keyword search or browse directory categories such as these related to search: Blog Search, Book Search, Desktop Search, Enterprise Search, Maps and Geography, Product Search, Shopping and Web Search. Have fun!

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 10:49 AM | Permalink

July 28, 2005

A Look at Search Interface Protocols and Specifications

Developers and other search geeks out there might find this draft document that lists and discusses a number of search interface protocols and specifications worthy of a read/bookmark. The paper comes from the CORDRA project at Carnegie Mellon University. Thanks to Puzzlepieces for the tip. Btw, Michael Fagan (publisher of Puzzlepieces) also notes several other protocols/specifications that aren't listed in the paper.

Posted by Gary Price at 6:25 PM | Permalink

June 29, 2005

Google Maps API Now Available

Google has just announced that they've released an API for web developers who want to create applications with Google Maps.

I'm sure this will spawn even more resources like ChicagoCrime.org and Housingmaps.com.

A paragraph from Google's announcement also notes that Google is considering (no surprise) placing advertising onto Google Maps in the future.

The API is open to commercial and non-commercial websites that are free to consumers. Google will include the Google logo on the map, a link back to Google Maps and may show ads in the future on the maps.

Full Text of Google Maps API annnouncement.

Posted by Gary Price at 1:33 PM | Permalink

February 9, 2005

Search APIs & The Build Or Buy Management Question

In Search Engine APIs: Right for You? at ClickZ, Kevin Lee looks at the how the Google AdWords API now means all major paid listing programs allow for direct, automated bid management. Should you then build your own tool or outsource to someone like Kevin who might do it for you? He lists a number of things to consider.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 7:49 AM | Permalink

January 27, 2005

Google AdWords API Launched

As rumored, Google has released an API for its Google AdWords program. More details from Google here, plus a new AdWords API blog has also been started by Google (blog feed is here). The system will allow programmers to do anything the current Google AdWords management system allows but via programming calls.

API usage will be free, though activity is capped through a quota system, Google says. Those with larger accounts or spending more with Google will be allowed to have higher activity.

Unlike some speculation, the new system does not allow people to pick and choose where ads will appear within the Google network. It is also not an AdSense API that will help publishers carrying Google ads. It is specifically meant for Google advertisers.

The system does provide the first endorsed way for companies to interact with the management system.

Google has not really had an officially sanctioned way to do this before. There have been some third parties screen scraping, but it doesn't work very well. A big part of the API is to give an official way," said Nelson Minar, the software engineer at Google who's lead the AdWords API project.

Google competitor Overture has long offered an API of its own, as the Overture API: Advertiser Web Services post explains. It's free to Overture advertisers but fee-based for technology providers and third parties. Overture says when fees are charged, these are only to cover any actual costs incurred to maintain the system.

For its part, Google said it reserves the right to charge a fee in the future, if that seems necessary. A similarly, it might also enlarge the quotes of some advertiser depending on the exact nature of their needs.

"As we get to know the developers, there's the room to grow," Minar said.

Want to comment or discuss? Visit the Google Adwords API Beta now open to the public thread in our Search Engine Watch Forums.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 6:35 PM | Permalink

January 10, 2005

New Tool: Is Your Site is Google "Hack" Proof?

The News.com article: McAfee automates Google hacking, introduces SiteDigger 2.0, some new and free software from Net security firm McAfee that will help webmasters see if sensitive info from their site is being indexed and exposed by Google.

The free service should help Webmasters stay informed about what information is out there regarding their sites, said Chris Prosise, vice president of worldwide professional services for security technology company McAfee.

You'll need a Google API license to use SiteDigger 2.0.

Good idea. Sure. However, I don't understand why Google is always the only web engine mentioned when it comes to "hacking." Yes, Google is most popular engine right now but other large web databases exist and simply thinking that sensitive and unsecure info can only be found in one specific web database is not accurate. Here's an August post from Search Engine Optimization and Marketing News North that shows material from MoveOn.org which was then available in Google (and reported on by News.com) was also accessible via Yahoo.

Posted by Gary Price at 4:00 PM | Permalink

November 22, 2004

Google Deskbar API Now Available

If you have some coding skills (C# or Visual Basic.NET for example), Google has released the Google Deskbar API.

Google Blogoscope mentions a few of the things could do with it:

+ Locate and play a music play list on your hard drive. + Solve algebraic equations. + Send instant messages.

We blogged an item about three weeks ago about the Deskbar "graduating" for Google Labs.

Remember, the Google Deskbar and Google Desktop Search are two different applications.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:58 AM | Permalink

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