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Starting From Search

Search Marketing by Mark A. Scholl

Working at GoogleNovember 13

The Deal is DeadNovember 5

And Yahoo seems to be a bit miffed about it.

Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO), a leading global Internet company, today announced that Google has terminated the advertising services agreement the companies announced in June. Yahoo! continues to believe in the benefits of the agreement and is disappointed that Google has elected to withdraw from the agreement rather than defend it in court.

Google's dominance in the search space is not the least bit in doubt. But Google didn't really need to have this deal in the way that Yahoo needed to have this deal. Google was doing it to fend of Microsoft, whereas Yahoo was doing it to try to stay relevant in the search space.

A Very Odd SEM Ad for LiveOctober 17

This morning I was working on a project and wanted some stock photography. So, of course, I hit the search engines. I found there very odd paid ad for MSN/Live Search.

I think I can speak for all of us when I say, WTF?

Why I like the Google-Yahoo DealOctober 6

Earlier today, Google and Yahoo announced they are going to put their awaited agreement/business deal on hold for the near future to allow the Department of Justice to review the deal. The deal would have done two main things: one, outsourced Yahoo's SEM advertising to Google, and two, give Yahoo a mountain of (needed) cash. Some estimate the deal would be upwards of $1 billion per year for Yahoo.

Some are against the deal, claiming that it would create a near monopoly on search ads for Google and increase the overall cost of search engine advertising. Both points are essentially wrong.

First, does it create a near monopoly for search ads?
Yes and no. It would mean upwards of 90% of all search ads would be run through Google's paid advertising platform. But it doesn't quite make it monopoly. Yes, I am splitting hairs a bit here, but follow me for a moment.

When Microsoft reached near-monopoly status, it did so by purchasing other companies to put them out of business. They absorbed the other companies into the hive-mind that is Microsoft and the former brand ceased to exist. Some part of the technology the other company might show up as a feature in a Microsoft product, but let's face it, they closed the market with their massive checkbook.

In this case, Google is not looking to absorb Yahoo or shut it down. It's simply going to feed text ads into Yahoo for related searches. People that use Yahoo now will still use Yahoo and may not eve

Ask is at it AgainOctober 6

Today, Ask.com launches a few new features, including an "upgrade" to the speed and relevance of their search engine.

I particularly like the new (still in beta) Q&A feature. Based on any query typed, it returns what is essentially a real time FAQ based on questions and conversations being ask around that topic. Searches I performed (such as "flat panel tv") were a bit erratic. Most of the questions returned were about how to install a flat panel tv and not about which brands are best, or if Plasma or LCD makes for a better flat panel. But then again, maybe my expectations are wrong and that is really what the conversations for that topic really are.

I'm a big fan of Ask and their focus on search. This commercial by Ask really does a great job of distinguishing it from Google.