What Location3 is Reading 12.11.09

Posted on December 11th, 2009 in Industry News, Weekly Roundup by Angie

Looking over these articles all grouped together, it seems that this was the week of Google. But come on, what week isn’t?! Maybe it was the airing of Inside the Mind of Google on CNBC last week or maybe they’re just trying to end 2009 with a bang. Either way, Google was certainly not neglected this week. Check out all we learned about Google this week.

1. Dell Earns $6.5 Mil with Twitter

And you thought Twitter was just an amusing way to kill time between meetings! Dell recently reported that promotions on Twitter helped generate $6.5 million in orders for PCs, accessories and software since they began tweeting two years ago. Read the full story.

2. Top 10 Google Doodles of 2009

It’s always such a nice surprise to open Google and find a unique and clever version of their logo, which typically pays tribute to a historic event, famous person’s birthday or other historic event. And it’s educational, to boot! Check out the Top 10 Google Doodles of 2009. The Apollo 11 Landing is one of my favorites, and the Perseid Meteor Shower (not on list but shown below) from August 12, 2009.

Google Perseid logo
Perseid Meteor Shower – August 12, 2009

3. Free Tools for PPC Marketers

You really can find things for free. Even when it comes to paid search technologies and tools. This article reveals seven of these free tools, including Google Sets, Google Labs, Microsoft adLabs and Thesaurus.com. Learn the others three tools and how to use them all at Search Engine Land.

4. Google Goggles

When visiting a new city, wouldn’t it be grand if you could learn everything you need and want to know about a building or location without ever having to speak to any of the weird natives? That dream could be a reality with Google’s in-development mobile app, Google Goggles. (For the record, Google said nothing about weird natives or being an unsocial recluse.) This app would allow users to take a photograph with their Android-powered phone, Google it and find tons of info related to that image. Learn more at eWeek or watch a clip from CNBC’s Inside the Mind of Google, which aired this past week.

5. UI lessons from pre-historic man

When it comes to online shopping, the male-female, hunter-gatherer dynamic is still alive and well, according to a study by Professor Daniel J. Kruger, which was published in the Journal of Social, Evolutionary and Cultural Psychology. Women browse, carefully examine and pay close attention to details. Men, conversely, quickly define, search, purchase and return home. Learn how to design your etail site to appeal to prehistoric man and prehistoric woman instincts at iMediaConnection.

6. Landmarks in Google Maps

Museums, parks, bus stations, airports—these are important landmarks in any city. But are businesses worthy of landmark status? I would argue yes, and apparently Google would, too. When you live in an urban area, consider how you give directions: “Take your second right past the Taco Bell, then a left at the first light. You’ll see a Loaf-n-Jug on the corner.”Businesses are landmarks. Even if we’re not looking for that business, seeing it on a map can help us navigate to our desired destination. But is there a way you can become a landmark in Google? It’s not clear but there are some things you can do to increase likelihood. Learn more at Search Engine Land.

Google Landmarks
These are by no means the only businesses in this area. How did they achieve landmark status?

7. Google Real-time Search

Google’s official announcement on the release of real-time search features came on Monday. Real-time search incorporates Twitter, FriendFeed and headlines from news and blog posts from just seconds before in results. According to their announcement, “Our real-time search enables you to discover breaking news the moment it’s happening, even if it’s not the popular news of the day, and even if you didn’t know about it beforehand.” They’ve been rolling out the feature all week. If you aren’t seeing it yet, try it out in Google Trends (click on a “hot topic” and you’ll likely be taken to a page with real-time results).

8. New GA Features

On Monday, Google announced a few new features that were added to Google Analytics. We provided tips for virtual pageviews with asynchronous tracking on Wednesday and will discuss the URL builder early next week. Read the official announcement of new features on the Google Analytics Blog.

9. ILM:09 & SES Chicago Recaps

ILM:09 (Interactive Local Media), an annual conference produced by BIA/Kelsy is wrapping up today in Los Angeles. The show focuses on digital media that is local in scope, including local search, IYPs, vertical directories, video, social media and mobile search. Check out a number of session summaries on the BIA/Kelsey Blog.

Today is also the last day for SES Chicago. Find comprehensive lists of coverage from Day One, Day Two and Day Three.

10. Google Release New Dictionary Site

Well, maybe not new exactly, but the public is just becoming aware of Google Dictionary. It’s pretty straightforward. Provides definition, pronunciations and synonyms like most other dictionaries. The difference with Google Dictionary is the list of related phrases, links to other definition on the web and huge list of languages to choose from. I still prefer Dictionary.com’s layout, but the lack of ads on Google is nice (that’s right, no ads, for now at least). Check out a review on TechCrunch.

~Angie

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