April 1, 2009

"Twouble with Twitter" - No, This Isn't an April Fools' Day Prank

I know it's April Fools' Day, but the video below actually was posted to Dailymotion a week ago. Which was about the time that Guy Kawasaki, the co-founder of Alltop.com, was giving his opening keynote at SES New York about "Twitter as a Tool for Social Media."

Since people are still Tweeting about Kawasaki's tips and tools, I figured that you might enjoy this as much as the Digg community seems to be, where it is called: "'Twouble with Twitter' - Hilarious Animation."

Twouble with TwitterUploaded by tux-planet Twouble with Twitter

Posted by Greg Jarboe at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

April 3, 2006

April Fool's Day 2006 & Search

I don't do any work over the weekends, so I'm playing some catch-up on Saturday's April Fool's Madness in the search world. What have we got?

Google Romance was launched by Google.
RhymeRank was unveiled by Ask.
MSN Search Spoof was either resurrected from last year or rediscovered by those hoping for an April Fool's prank from MSN.
Yahoo seems to have taken the weekend off, like me.
Google's Matt Cutts went to work for Yahoo, while...
Yahoo's Jeremy Zawodny went to work for Google, while...
MSN Microsoft Windows Live's Robert Scoble went to work for Google as well.
Google launches new "larger than life" display ads along with one-pixel sales.
Google launches Google Rooms.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:51 AM | Permalink

March 16, 2006

Google News Prank Confirmed; News Source Removed From News Index

Nathan Weinberg reports that I Newswire, a free press release distribution service has been removed from the Google News index after releasing a false press release submitted by a teenager. The 15-year-old teenager, Thomas Vendetta, wrote a press release prank, saying that Google hired him. The news got digged and then the prank was uncovered when the teenager confessed at his blog. Information Week reports, "the distributor of the release has been removed as a source for the automated news service."

I covered a Search Engine Watch thread named Press Release Spam back in May of 2005. Some of the press release distributors seem to be getting better. But as more and more press release distribution companies get into the business, it becomes a bigger and bigger issue for news search.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:59 AM | Permalink

April 1, 2005

Google & Yahoo Plan Merger; Brin & Page To Depart

The rumors of a Google-Yahoo merger have leaked out, so I'm considering the embargo on that news off and will go ahead and tell what I know so far.

As Andy notes and Barry also mentions, there is indeed an agreement between the two companies that has been worked out. Neither company wanted the news to come out today, April Fool's Day. After all, Google watched how the major news of its Gmail rollout last year simply wasn't believed by some, because it came on April Fool's.

The merger, if allowed by investors not to mention regulators, would be colossal. We've had search mergers before, but never between two players that command such a large share of the search market. Combined, the two would control something like 70 percent of the "natural" search results that people see and nearly all of the paid listings out there.

Why would these two competitors -- and companies with largely different operating styles -- combine? Fear of Microsoft. While I've written many times before that Microsoft isn't going to walk all over Google -- much less both Google and Yahoo -- the two companies themselves are falling victim to the hype. Search is seen as so important, such a major future money maker, that they want to unite now.

An amazing number of details have yet to be worked out. We joked about a GooHoo site before, but that's actually one of the names being considered. Many within Google are arguing that there's no way the company name -- a synonym to some for search -- can be dropped. The leading compromise is that the company itself will be called Google-Yahoo, while the search site will be called Yahoo Google.

I know, it sounds odd -- but it does fit. The Yahoo home page would replace the "Web" tab with Google -- so people there would "Google" what they are looking for, in terms of general search. Meanwhile, Google itself would serve as a type of "pure" search space for the combined company.

The biggest stumbling block in all this has been over management issues. Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are fiercely protective of the company they've built and the ideals they have for it. But in the months following the IPO, they've both become largely tired. In an amazing reversal, both are stepping down from executive duty.

Brin, known for his amateur trapeze acrobatics, is going to use his vast wealth to create a new circus to travel the world. He won't just fund the circus -- he plans to perform, as well. It's said he wants to do for circuses what he did for web search, make a massive redefinition.

Page is going to stay on with the company but concentrate on what he calls "searchable clothing," clothes that retain the knowledge you need.

In fact, it turns out that rumors of "Google underwear" were simply miscommunications of Page's vision. He does want to develop underwear, but this is smart underwear embedded with things like nano health monitors and computer memory that can be accessed from a variety of interfaces, be they PDAs, mobile phones or RFID chips embedded in the skin.

Why underwear? Because they are an item of clothing people always wear. Think of them as a platform, a universal operating system that's (almost) always on.

Obviously, people change their underwear often. But these smart underwear will wirelessly connect to the internet, staying in constant sync with a master database hosted by Google-Yahoo. Regardless of which pair you wear, they'll have the latest data. Need your schedule? Your underwear will have it. Need to do a web search? Your underwear will help bridge you to the web and keep a memory of what you've found. Your underwear will naturally be able to cope with RSS feeds, allow you to "tag" content, download podcasts, turn voice dictation into blog posts and ensure that you have your mojo wherever you go.

In fact, a play on the wearing/wherever idea will likely form the product name: Google Wearevers: Wear your info, wherever you go.

Remember, it's not that you'll be using your underwear as a direct interface. Instead, they are a combined conduit/memory dump for info. You'll access information store in them -- and connect to the web through them -- via whatever electronic devices are handy. But naturally, Google-Yahoo will have a range of wearable electronics they'll hope people prefer to use.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 12:27 PM | Permalink

Google Takes to the Skies and To Your Stomach

For the past three months the SEW editors have been working on a story about several new services that Google has in the works.

What we learned and are still learning even amazed us. While many specifics are still unknown we have enough to finally "go" with the story.

Sometime in Q1 2006 Google will unveil their new "Google Everywhere" program with two services.

While much of this departs from their original goal of "organizing all of the worlds information and making it universally accessible and usable," the company has been busy crafting a marketing program to relate these services to their original goal.

Google Everywhere will see the company investing in and using its strong brand name, marketing skills, technology, and overall resources in new services that will, in one form or another, use the Google name.

When we first got wind of this in an anonymous email sent to us. It asked to think of an industry that consumers deal with everyday and is known for being just a bit evil. The email went on to hint that it would be an industry that Google, a company dedicated to doing NO evil, planned to get involved in.

After months of research, talking to many people in various professions, Search Engine Watch can reveal that the world's leading search engine will soon become part of the airline industry. Yes, by this time next year GoogleJet will be taking to the skies. Here's what we know so far:

+ Internally, the project is known as "supersonic."

+ Google believes that information and using it correctly often involves bringing people together face-to-face and GoogleJet can help make this happen.

+ The airline will use Google technology for their logistics, customer management, and reservation systems. They hope to market this software in the future.

+ GoogleJet will begin service in selected U.S. and European markets. They plan to offer "shuttle service" between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, and London and Paris.

+ A Google insider who did not wanted to be named told SEW, "Many consumers see the airline industry has pure evil. Most offer bad service, bad food, and uncomfortable seating. We plan to change all of that." We've learned that all planes will have wi-fi access to the web and all passengers will be given free access to laptop computers.

Google plans to make money via several revenue streams.

Of course, the most obvious is to offer good service at low "non-evil" prices but in this environment, that's not enough.

So, GoogleJet will sell advertising aboard its planes. For example, a flight to San Francisco will contain local ads for restaurants, hotels, and other activities that a traveler might use in that city. Each city will have it's own advertisers.

GoogleJet will also sell advertising outside of the plane. If this sounds unique, it is. Advertising messages will resemble the message board that you see on the Goodyear Blimp. As planes near airports and taxi to and from gates, planes will show local advertising. For example, a plane flying near LAX will flash ads for neighborhood restaurants, local television stations, medical professionals, and other services.

+ GoogleJet will also offer a frequent traveler program (GoogleMiles), an airport club (GoogleClubHouse), top quality in-flight entertainment (GoogleTunes and GoogleFlicks) and an exclusive first class service called Google TopRank. GoogleMiles members will be able to earn "bonus miles" if they promise to use Google as their only web research tool.

+ Just like at the Googleplex certain GoogleJet flights will be pet friendly.

+ Planes will painted Google's color scheme. Tails will feature images of Google executives, employees, people who Googlers admire, and users of the site. As to be expected, pictures of Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and Eric Schmidt will be visible on the first GoogleJet's to take to the skies. Other planes will feature pictures of Google "role model" and legendary investor, Warren Buffet and Carolyn Smith, an 8th grader in New York City who relies on Google for all of her schoolwork.

+ A Google insider (also wishing to remain anonymous) told SEW that "GoogleJet will also do no evil by offering top quality, freshly prepared meals, for all passengers." They went on to say that GoogleJet's catering will be under direct supervision of Charlie the cook, the head chef at the Googleplex.

While investigating the food services onboard GoogleJet we began learning about the second service that will become part of their Google Everywhere program.

It's called Foodgle.

Under the direct supervision of Charlie, Google's legendary chef, the company will begin selling frozen food in local supermarkets. The company has developed technology that will allow boxes to contain local advertising down to the Zip Code of the stores they're sold in. The freezers where Foodgle is sold will also contain advertising for national advertisers sold on a pay-per-open pricing program.

According to a Google insider, "Everyone has heard about the great food we have at the Googelplex. Now, the entire world can enjoy it." Yes, if Google isn't available in a local market, it will be available via mail order.

Google hinted at all of this at their recent analyst day when CFO (Chief Food Officer) spoke to analysts instead of the Chief Financial Officer.

As to what food has to do with information we've learned that the company will respond to the question by saying energy derived from food is needed to create the information that Google can provide access to.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:55 AM | Permalink

MSN Search Spoof For Tricking Your Friends

Spotted via Google Blogoscoped, MSN Search Spoof (yep, it's real) is a seriously cool tool that lets you create fake search results to trick your friends and family. Simply visit the site, enter the person's name you want to target, then pick a "stereotype" about the person. That will generate results that make it seem like people are saying the oddest things about them.

For example, check out these results I made for Gary, using the "Gadget Toting Internet Cubicle Geek" stereotype:

All Work and No Play Dept: Gary Price abandoned at altar for taking cell phone conference call during wedding ceremony "But it was business!" Price pleaded as his former fiance stormed back down the aisle. "It's still Friday morning in Japan -- I would have put them on hold to say I do!" www.metrodailynews.com/weddings/Price.html Cached page

Gary Price loves new gadget even though he hasn't figured out what it does yet ..."I just fell in love with it! I love the feel, the look, the cool sounds it makes!" Gary Price told THE GADGET TIMES. "If I just could figure out what it does I would be ecstatic! But really it's the best gadget I've bought in years! Wait, it's beeping...I have to go!" www.thegadgettimes.com/features/Price.html Cached page

Very funny. Start sending them out now. If you don't like the set stereotypes, you can create your own using a wide range of options. After generating the results, you'll get a page with a URL for the results, plus the ability to email them to your target.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:22 AM | Permalink

Yahoo Slacker Aims For The Student Searcher

Yahoo is embarking on a new product designed to attract students to its service, Yahoo Slacker.

Announcing Yahoo! Slacker on the Yahoo Search Blog explains how the service will provide easy access to Cliff Notes and Dummies Books, for the student who can't be bothered to actually read source material. A special Local Slacker feature will map local pizza locations and has one-click ordering enabled.

An interesting feature, the Misspelling API, ensures that those who create term papers and report using Yahoo Slacker material can automatically have misspellings inserted into their pages, "to automate the removal of that too-perfect sheen from papers and presentations that might arouse suspicion in teachers and colleagues."

As always, searchers should remember that simply because you found something on the web -- even within Yahoo Slacker -- doesn't mean you have the right to reprint it as your own work. The repercussions of plagiarism can be quite serious, as shown this week. Yahoo said they are considering adding disclaimers and warnings to the service to highlight the fact, if they can get around to it and feel like it.

Site owners should also be aware that Yahoo is working on a system so that site owners can feed content the slacker spider may have missed. So if you have term papers for sale, you'll easily be able to get this material in front of Yahoo Slacker services. Ads will also be carried, so that if you don't get a guaranteed top listing, you can at least buy your way into first page visibility in the clearly-marked ad areas.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:04 AM | Permalink

Ask Jeeves Unveils Jeeves900 Search Robot

We've long written about everything there is to know about search, including the concept of humanoid search robots that could help you find things in the "real" world as easily as you can locate things on the web. Now Ask Jeeves is finally rolling out the first workable product, The Jeeves9000.

The Future of Search Arrives: Introducing The Jeeves9000 on the Ask Jeeves Blog describes how the new $400 product will work to organize your life.

I'm a bit dubious about the tagging feature. One advantage is that the product will work from a defined set of tags, rather than a mishmash of conflicting terms that a community has created.

However, in the real world, tagging has long been associated with what some consider vandalism. While the robot currently works with removable materials just as Post-It notes, it's inevitable that someone will eventually equip it with a can of spray paint.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 7:48 AM | Permalink

Breaking Search News for April 1, 2005

It's turning out to be a pretty busy day for search news, so we're going to keep an easy recap of special stories you might want to consider reading today:

We'll keep adding to the bottom of the list, as more come in. Want to discuss any of these stories? Join our forum thread on the topic.

Posted by Gary Price at 7:34 AM | Permalink

Google Rolls Out Branded Google Gulp Drinks

Not satisfied with just offering a new line of Google underwear, Google has also announced today Google Gulp, smart drinks designed to "Quench Your Thirst For Knowledge."

I do have to take them to task for making it another closed beta -- and an invite only one at that! Like Gmail and Orkut, if you're going to roll out Google Gulp, you should roll it out to everyone. Just put the new drinks out there on the store shelves -- and bring out a diet kiwi strawberry flavored one, while you're at it.

Google addresses a number of these concerns on its FAQ page. Still, for the moment, only the lucky few who have already gulped Google Gulp and can give you a required cap lid to drink the product.

I have a few of those lids left over from the advanced case of Google Gulp that was sent to Search Engine Watch. However, strict Google NDA/embargo terms prevent me from giving those to anyone who fails to meet a required "cool" standard as mentioned on the Google Gulp site:

Well, if you know someone who's already been "gulped," they can give you one. And if you don't know anyone who can give you one, don't worry ? that just means you aren't cool.

Unfortunately, I also can't disclose exactly what coolness is, according to Google. Matt Cutts, a software engineer who works closely on coolness projects, said it's one of those "you know it when you see it" types of things. As for the possibility of creating a page on Google where people could check their coolness, he worried it might jeopardize the integrity of cool.

"You can imagine that people would see if they were cool and if not, then they'd change some things and check again, trying to manipulate their coolness," Cutts said. "That's not what we want. If you're naturally cool, our CoolRank technology can detect that. And the best way to be cool is to just think about how humans perceive cool and act that way."

Cutts did add that Google would consider the idea of a coolness checker, as well as the idea of adding a coolness meter to the new Google Toolbar.

"We're always open to new ideas at Google, and we take all feedback seriously," Cutts said. "I can assure you we'll spend a lot of time pretending that we might actually create some type of coolness checking form but which really has a snowball's chance in hell of ever appearing. Um, did I actually say that last part out loud?"

Some privacy advocates have come out against the drinks. Google has a long disclaimer at the bottom of the Google Gulp page saying it won't share information gathered through Google Gulp. But privacy advocates are worried that urine might carry traces of your enhanced personal information. They also object to the 30 year life span of the products.

"Sure, Google says this now. But in 30 years, these products could still be out there, and the company may have completely changed. Who knows what the new management or some firm that takes over might do," said Daniel Brandt, who has started a new Google Gulp Watch site to protest the drinks.

Others also object to Auto-Drink, a feature of the drink that automatically changes your mind. Some are especially worried because they've found it adds things to your mind that you may not have initially intended to have there in the first place.

I can't agree with some of the concerns that have been raised over this. If Auto-Drink were changing the minds of other people, then it would be a concern, and an opt-out should be offered. But you're completely in control of your own mind. Since Google Gulp allows you switch Auto-Drink off, it's completely possible to enjoy the drinks simply as thirst quenchers.

In other news, it's being reported that 7-11 in France has filed a lawsuit over the use of the word "Gulp" by Google. The company feels it infringes on its Big Gulp line of drink containers.

Google responded that if the lawsuit isn't withdrawn, it will ban 7-11 from its search engine, including no longer showing up in Google Local's new "Need A Drink" feature, that maps where 44-ounce beverages can be found in any location.

"We're done fooling around. Sue us, and we'll get even. They're our results, and we're under no obligation to send traffic to anyone. There are plenty of other convenience stores we can send people to," said Google spokesperson Nate Tyler.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 7:18 AM | Permalink

March 31, 2005

UnderGoos, Google Underwear Store, Opens

You may recall I blogged earlier about Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wanting to create a line of Google underwear. Well, it's happened. UnderGoos (naturally in beta) offers a full-line of Google-branded undergarments. There's the Larry, the Sergey -- even the GoogleGuy in a slinky black color that cuts a fine look on anyone wearing it. Me being an Orange County boy, I'm off to order the sexy Santa Ana for my wife.

UnderGoos is being targeted to the UK market first, then will be rolled out worldwide if demand is proven, except for France. Google said it will only enter the French market if it is first given an official guarantee that it will not be sued by anyone in France nor accosted of pushing Anglo-Saxon clothing.

Given the UK rollout, language on the site is written in UK English, or what my British wife generally refers to as "English the way it's supposed to be written and spoken, you stupid plonker." Years of living with her has helped me understand a lot of the lingo, but UnderGoos has helpfully assembled a guide for the linguistically challenged.

I'm sure some may be wondering if this is all a joke. Well then, explain this ad from Google itself:

Not seeing it? Perhaps that's because you're not in the UK. Here, try this URL, which ought to make it come up.

Sadly, an oversight has pointed the ad to the official Google Store, where UnderGoos items are not yet showing. But watch the space.

Want to discuss? Join our forum thread on the topic. Also see our compilation of search stories issued on this special day.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 11:40 PM | Permalink

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