Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Feeds
5540 items (5015 unread) in 3 feeds
Google
(325 unread)
-
Official Google Webmaster Central Blog (325 unread)
SEO
(4690 unread)
-
Emily Chang (347 unread)
-
Search Engine Roundtable
(4343 unread)
Search Engine Roundtable (5 unread)
-
Daily Search Forum Recap: June 12, 2009
Posted: June 12th, 2009, 11:00pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
-
6 Months Later, Google Finally Releases a New Mobile iGoogle
Posted: June 12th, 2009, 3:28pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Search Engine
About six months ago, we reported Google Drops iPhone Optimized iGoogle: Users Revolt. In short, Google dropped the iPhone flavored iGoogle and iGoogle mobile users were really upset and they were upset for a long time.
Now, Google announced a new iGoogle currently being tested for iPhone and Android users. Here are screen captures:
Much cleaner look for iPhone/Android users, don't you think? The previous look that people were complaining about looked more like this:
Paul from the Google team said in the long Google Web Search Help thread that has the complaints about this:
I know you all are very passionate about iGoogle on the iPhone. I'm happy to announce that we've got a new version for you to check out! See the article linked below for details.
If you'd like to share feedback about the new version, we're collecting it over in the Google Mobile forum.
Not everyone is currently happy with the changes, but I personally think this is a major improvements from six months ago.
Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help.
-
Google Quickly Fixes Webmaster Tools Issues
Posted: June 12th, 2009, 3:19pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Optimization
Yesterday we reported about the new Google Webmaster Tools, with the new change of address feature and a few other new things with it. We also informed you that there were several bugs in the new interface and features.
It appears that those bugs are now resolved. The original Google Webmaster Help thread seems to have confirmation that the change of address feature is now working. Plus there is an announcement post that says that the issues with the Webmaster Tools iGoogle Gadgets, Sitemaps submissions and Change of Address features are all resolved.
Here are some of the many threads with the issues:
- New Webmaster Tools Interface - External Links Missing!, Google Webmaster Help
- Change of Address feature seems to be broken, Google Webmaster Help
- New Webmaster Tools - says site not verified when submitting a new sitemap, Google Webmaster Help
-
Google AdWords Customers Mad About Paying For Courses on New Interface
Posted: June 12th, 2009, 3:11pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
We know that Google is forcing AdWords advertisers into the new AdWords interface sooner then later. Besides for all the complaints about the interface, some are complaining that Google is encouraging advertisers to sign up for courses on how to use the new interface.
A HighRankings Forum thread has discussion around why Google is first of all forcing advertisers into an interface they don't like and then encouraging them to pay to learn how to use it.
Google organizes what are called Seminars for Success, which are actually mostly run by third-party agencies that specialize in training AdWords customers. The day long seminar costs $249 for AdWords classes.
The advertiser is steamed about paying for this. He said:
I received an email from Google saying in effect their teaching their adwords training sessions in the new interface..translation...pay us and we will teach you the new interface!!!
The cost for the seminar seems relatively small. It seems like Google is subsidizing the costs for the most part. I am not sure I agree with giving these seminars for nothing.
Forum discussion at HighRankings Forum.
-
Ask Japan To Shut Down
Posted: June 12th, 2009, 3:04pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Ask.com
Some more sad news for the struggling search engine, Ask.com. Ask is closing down Ask Japan, aka Ask.jp on June 25th.
Bill, the moderator of the Asia specific forums at WebmasterWorld explained that Ask.jp is "reorganizing to focus on B2B solutions. Their consumer search will cease operations on June 25." The consumer search product includes Ask.jp.
Google Translate can somewhat translate the statement:
From patronage, Ask.jp We very appreciate your business. This time, ask JEPI Dot Corporation, which specializes in business reorganization and corporate solutions, Services include: Search Ask.jp (www.ask.jp) will close.
[End] Target Service
June 25: Ask.jp (web search, blog search, product search, category search)Ask debuted in Japan in August 2004.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.