Jane Wamsley
15miles, Google, Local, Places, newsletter
Caleb Ross, a product specialist based in our Kansas City office, is a self-proclaimed “tech nerd” who works primarily with local listings, including Google Places optimization. He’d like to clear up some common misunderstandings about Google Places, while hypothesizing about how mobile-local apps might soon become things of the past (we just really wanted to say “hypothesizing”).
Read on to learn more about this proud dad, including his pick to win the NCAA Tournament and why he loves making his coworkers cry. You can also follow Caleb on Twitter (@notSEO) or network with him on LinkedIn.
Read the full article…
29Mar
Sarah Shepich
Google, Publication, SEM, Search Engine Strategies (SES)
Today, Google announced the release of Think Quarterly, a new venture in print publishing. At 68 pages, it resembles 
an academic journal, although Think Quarterly is described by Google as a “short book about data.” The publication is based out of the UK and was physically sent to a select 1,500 UK partners and advertisers. For the rest of us, Google has made the book’s contents available online. Matt Brittin, Google’s Managing Director of UK & Ireland Operations, describes the publication as “…a breathing space in a busy world. It’s a place to take time out and consider what’s happening and why it matters.”
Read the full article…
24Mar
Jon Legler
Google, SEM, SEO, Tools, Web Analytics
Spring is in the air, and Google is doing a little bit of cleaning up. Recently they announced an updated release of Google Analytics that is currently in Beta. This release includes a drastic change for the look and feel of the interface, as well as some hierarchical changes that allow for a deeper level of customization.
The main navigation bar has been updated, and now more closely mirrors what we have been seeing lately from Google in general. Other than things being named slightly differently, there is nothing too surprising here. To get to the big changes you have to dig a little bit deeper. Read the full article…
23Mar
Sherri Albus
Google
When I signed into my computer on Thursday, March 10th, I noticed something different under Google’s search query box – A tsunami warning following the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan.
By Friday morning, Google launched a version of its People Finder designed specifically to help people locate each other following the tragedy. This service allows searchers to both inquire about others as well as post information such as whereabouts and condition about themselves or others. Although Google cannot verify the accuracy of the information entered into the People Finder, it is available to the public. Read the full article…
21Mar
Greg Crum
Google, Local, Local Business Center, Mobile, Places, free listings, iPhone
Yesterday’s post summarized the results from a brief survey I conducted. As mentioned, it would not be statistically accurate to project the results across the market but the results do provide directional insight. The key takeaway from my previous post is that no one app fits all the local search needs of users. Therefore, mobile marketers need to ensure coverage across the leaders in the space for finding venues, checking in, and identifying specials, offers, or deals. This post will take that concept and put it into action for your mobile local search efforts.
Read the full article…
18Mar
Michael Kust
Google, Local, Mobile, Social Media
The location-based service market is quickly filling up with competition for checking into local businesses. Searching for ways to stand out among the competition, many location-based service providers have begun to provide special offers from local businesses for those who check-in using their service.
Read the full article…
18Mar
Greg Crum
Google, Local, Local Business Center, Mobile, Places, Social Networking, Yelp, iPhone
I posted a survey yesterday as an attempt to identify 1) the most used location based applications (i.e. Google Maps, Groupon, Foursquare, Yelp, etc.) on mobile devices and 2) new mobile applications that I had not experimented with yet. However, the outcome was overwhelmingly that no one app serves all needs. Users access location based applications for a myriad of reasons with the most popular being searching for venues, “checking in” to let their social network know what they’re up to, and finding specials/deals/offers/coupons. The results from my brief survey show that users are accessing multiple applications depending on their purpose. This presents a challenge for marketers as it further signifies the need for a diversified mobile marketing program but automation & management has not yet caught up with the market.
Read the full article…
17Mar
