IndustrySearch Engine Milestones for February 2004

Search Engine Milestones for February 2004

Notable news and announcements from the web search world during the past month.

Notable news and announcements from the web search world during the past month. Announcements without links to online versions were received via email.

Warning: The links and descriptions below are from official press releases, and may contain marketing hyperbole, claims or euphemisms not necessarily endorsed by Search Engine Watch.

February 3

Switchboard Launches New User Interface with Embedded Learning Algorithm

The site features several technology advancements, including an embedded learning algorithm that access Switchboards local business content. These improvements are designed to boost the quality and precision of local search results returned in response to users queries.

February 4

New Local Paid Search Platform at ePilot

ePilot Local Search delivers a turn-key solution to Internet and printed directory publishers and website owners.

See Also: An independent review of this platform and its features/benefits from the Kelsey Group.

February 9

FindWhat.com Signs Amended Merger Agreement With Espotting

Under the proposed terms of the transaction, which was approved by the board of directors of each company, Espotting stockholders will receive 7.0 million shares of FindWhat.com common stock and approximately $20.0 million in cash.

Intranets Take Second Place To Public Internet

A global survey by Moreover Technologies found that 57.8% of respondents admitted that the Internet was their primary information resource in their daily work routine whereas only 10.9% considered the Intranet to be their main source of information.

February 11

Local Search Now 25% of Internet Commercial Activity

Local commercial searchesthose seeking merchants “near my home or work” represent 25.1% of all searches being performed by online buyers, more than double the amount previously estimated by analysts.

February 12

Lycos has a new voice and writer behind The Lycos 50

Dean Tsouvalas, former television producer with ABC News , and on-air talent with the Fox Cable Network, will now be writing the Lycos 50.

February 17

Copernic introduces Copernic Meta 1.5

This new version lets users effortlessly capture the search functionality of any search engine, site search tool, or specialized database and make it readily accessible at any time via an easy-to-use toolbar.

Google Expands Access To More Than 6 Billion Items

Google’s collection of 6 billion items comprises 4.28 billion web pages, 880 million images, 845 million Usenet messages, and a growing collection of book-related information pages. Separately, Google announced six new ad formats for Google AdSense and the availability of the program in Dutch and Portuguese.

February 18

Yahoo Unveils New Search Engine

Starting today, the company will begin rolling out the new Yahoo Search Technology (YST) and expects to continue the process on a worldwide basis over the next several weeks. With the completion of the deployment, Yahoo Search Technology will power nearly half of all online searches in the U.S.

February 19

New Location Based Meta Tag Introduced

NAC Geographic Products (NACGEO) has introduced a new meta tag called NAC (Natural Area Code) tag (e.g.) adds location as a search variable that will enable Internet search engines to make accurate location based searches.

February 23

One in Three Americans Use a Search Engine According to Nielsen//NetRatings (PDF)

114.5 million or 39 percent of Americans used a search engine during January 2004. The 114.5 million unique users, representing 76 percent of the active online U.S. population, each spent nearly forty minutes using search engines during the month.

February 24

Findwhat.Com Announces Agreement To Acquire Comet Systems

Findwhat.com will acquire Comet Systems, Inc., a leading provider of connected desktop consumer software, for up to $33.5 million.

February 24

Google, Overture, and GO TOAST become sponsors of Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization

SEMPO is talking to other players in the world of search engine marketing about sponsorships to support the organization’s mission and provide the necessary funds for SEMPO to conduct primary research and develop education materials for the industry.

Google Releases Froogle Wireless Service

With the Froogle wireless service, currently available on Google Labs at http://labs.google.com, shoppers now have the power to make buying decisions, anywhere at any time.

February 25

IndustryBrains Introduces Paid Listings on RSS Feeds

IndustryBrains announced today it has expanded its business to include syndication of paid listings to publishers participating in RSS-driven content feeds.

Search Headlines

NOTE: Article links often change. In case of a bad link, use the publication’s search facility, which most have, and search for the headline.

Domain names are big again…
MultiReg.com Mar 1 2004 2:24PM GMT
New Web tools aim to customize searches…
San Jose Mercury News Mar 1 2004 12:48PM GMT
Google reportedly plans to offer free email service…
Seattle Times Mar 1 2004 10:26AM GMT
Icann ‘disappointed’ in VeriSign…
Silicon.com Mar 1 2004 9:20AM GMT
Search Startup Scores $5M in Funding…
dmnews.com Mar 1 2004 6:22AM GMT
Google too confusing?…
About Web Search Mar 1 2004 3:06AM GMT
Google Founders Keep ‘Top 100’ List of New Ideas…
Boston Globe Mar 1 2004 0:07AM GMT
Internet May Not Have It All, Says Web Search Expert…
Financial Express Feb 29 2004 9:55PM GMT
Google Prospects Party Like It’s 1999…
Boston Globe Feb 29 2004 3:10PM GMT
VeriSign sues Icann over delay in services…
Computer Weekly Feb 27 2004 12:10PM GMT
Google’s Page ‘dismayed’ by IPO speculation…
ZDNet UK Feb 27 2004 10:06AM GMT
Behind the Rise of Google Lies the Rise in Internet Credibility…
New York Times Feb 27 2004 4:54AM GMT
9,000 Google hits can’t be wrong – or can they?…
Christian Science Monitor Feb 26 2004 11:39PM GMT
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