Can a search platform really change your web browsing experience? Until now, many would say that search has been a means for them to simply find their desired results, but this may soon change with the introduction of Yahoo Axis; a new visualized search and browsing experience connected among all of a user’s devices. The new platform functions as a browser plug-in for PCs and as an application on iPad and iPhone with an Android version to be launched soon. Yahoo announced and launched Axis Wednesday.

But really how is Yahoo Axis different from other search platforms? Yahoo has seamlessly connected the search and browsing experience to be based on a visually personalized search experience. Users can search the live pages of the top ranked results for the search query and horizontally navigate the pages within the Axis window, deleting the process of clicking links and hitting the back button to return to results. The results displayed for the user do not follow conventional search algorithms; they are personalized by calculating clicks and time on underlying sites into the Axis search results. The effects of this and how a search engine optimization agency will adapt remain to be seen.

As shown above, the search results are visually shown and navigated in a horizontal format. Currently Axis only displays the top 20 ranked results for the query, and rationalizes this format because users typically only browse the first two pages of search results. Because the new search is so visually stimulating and in a horizontal format, it proposes the possibility that users will begin to browse results longer than before. This stands the possibility to impact how companies and Internet marketing companies aim to rank and optimize web content to attract users, due to the visual depiction of the web page influencing the user navigation.

Furthermore, Axis aims to personalize the search experience for the user by connecting this platform across all of the users devices. Yahoo has done this through the Yahoo Cocktail mobile development platform, which incorporates an open source JavaScript MVC framework and a cloud-based host environment. Search results and bookmarks can be seamlessly shared between all devices. The application shares information on social media networks such as Twitter and Pinterest, as well as via email.

At this point, the Axis user interface is clean and attractive with its use of a black background, simple search query, and vivid page examples. At this point there are no ads, but as search engines typically seem to eventually foster advertisements this may open up another channel for pay per click internet marketing.

The culmination of innovations that Yahoo Axis incorporates makes it an “outside the box” option for searching the web. This new interesting, different, and highly visual experience may change how people search the web.  Let us know your thoughts on this new platform.

We all have apps that we downloaded just to try out and hardly ever use but don’t want to get rid of. The new iCloud service offers a search engine for all apps that you have ever installed or purchased on your iOS device. Now available on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, this service allows you to store all your apps without having to delete any of them. It gives your iOS device the ability to clean your screen from all apps that are not consistently used, while being able to later search for them through iCloud.

As a current iPhone or iPad user we might not have the necessary amount of apps to need this specific search mechanism. As we change devices, upgrade, and download more and more entertainment, our apps are increasing and our available storage is decreasing. This is where a search engine for apps is going to come in to clean our home screens and store all of our apps. Right now when using the iCloud app search engine, your results seem to be ranked by time of installation. The description or your use of the app is not used to rank when searching and is a part of this tool that still needs to be enhanced and developed to become more user friendly. Somewhere at Apple HQ this device is being improved, as customers will be soon using this in the near future.

Why this new device in iCloud? Because most of us don’t like to delete every app that has not recently been used. Thinking a specific app will be useful at least once in the future leads us to want to keep it. Our hope is that iCloud search will soon be incorporated with Siri and users will be able to find their apps using natural language. Maybe our iOS device will soon even download the wanted app for us if we don’t already have it and organize our apps on our screens based on usage or rating.

Are we giving ideas to Apple hoping they will listen? In a way yes, but it is also to recognize how there are still so many ideas to be incorporated in our products and devices to be improved!

ComScore reported December 2011 U.S. search engine rankings this past week with, to no surprise, Google still in the lead. On a more noteworthy finding is Bing surpassing Yahoo, coming in at the number two spot. When Bing launched as a search engine in June 2009, they were at a mere 8.4 percent search engine market share. As of this past year they now account for 15.1 percent of internet searches.

Google still dominates the market with 65.9 percent market share, and Yahoo dropped to the number three spot at 14.5 percent.

The reported search engine rankings for December 2011, according to comScore, are stated below:

• Google – 65.9% (up from 65.4% in November 2011)
• Bing – 15.1% (+.1 change from November)
• Yahoo – 14.5% (down from 15.1%)
• Ask – remaining at 2.9%
• AOL – remaining at 1.6%

More than 18.2 billion explicit core searches were conducted in December, which is a two percent increase from November. 12 billion searches were placed on Google sites, 2.7 billion were through Bing (up 2 percent), and 2.6 billion on Yahoo! Sites. We are anxious to see if Bing will remain in the number two spot in following months, and maybe even further the gap with Yahoo searches.

The man who brought you parachute pants, the one and only MC Hammer, is now bringing you a brand new search engine. MC Hammer unveiled Wiredoo, his latest venture yesterday at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco.

What separates Wiredoo from other search engines? It focuses on relational searches, which means if you search for parachute pants, it will not only show the pants, but also clothing materials, style advice, and more likely than not, a link to “U Can’t Touch This.”

While the website is not currently up and running, there is a sign up for testing when the beta version is released, which is sure to please techies and Hammer fans alike.

Will Wiredoo be able to compete with search engine powerhouses like Google and Yahoo? I foresee the response from Google and Yahoo being “you can’t touch this.”

What Google lacks in catchy television commercials, it more than makes up for in service.  Coming off the heels of those surprisingly memorable television ads, Microsoft’s Bing experiment has carved out a respectable slice of the search market share but hardly gained any traction against the Internet behemoth we all know as our homepage or as Google. Google’s share of the market floats at 65%, changing minimally from month to month, with Yahoo (17%) and Bing (13%) lagging so far behind their combined share doesn’t equal half of Google’s total share.  The search engine holds an unassailable position atop the search engine hierarchy.

This is perhaps a result of Google offering users more than just search results – Google has become a one-stop shop, affording users the ability to check their mail, get directions, watch the latest viral video, find up to date news sourced more than a thousand times, and even translate the website for that hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland, which doesn’t seem to have an English button.

6 Slick Tricks

Nonetheless, most Internet surfers are unaware of the many tools Google provides that does not warrant an insular tab at the top the page.  By entering specific codes into the search field, you can manipulate Google to do whatever it is you want it to.  Here are six of my favorite unknown tricks of the trade:

1. Spell Check:

Google is perhaps the fastest way to check your spelling.  By typing your word into the search field, Google will confirm a million times over the correct spelling or suggest an alternate.  Likewise, you can enter the “define” operator to instruct Google to show you only dictionary entries.

2. Calculator:

Yes, your computer does have a calculator.  So does your phone.  But sometimes those places are just farther away than a Google search bar.  Try searching an arithmetic nightmare like “538/14 * (17+284)/ 2”. Then go ahead and check it on your calculator and ask yourself which method was easier.

3. World Clock:

Trying to figure out if you can call that hotel in Reykjavik to book a room?  Search “time Reykjavik” to see whether or not it’s business hours.  Naturally, this is an invaluable tool in a world were you need to call London, San Diego, and New Delhi all in one working day.

4. Currency Converter:

Need to find out how many kroner you’re getting for your dollar? Type “100 dollars in kroner” to find out.  You can, of course, use Google to find out that Iceland is on the kroner before you begin converting.

5. Exclusion Operator:

This one is an oldie but worth repeating.  Search ‘ “masters” –woods ’ to see the untold stories of this weekend’s golf tournament.  That little minus sign may be all that stands between you and a torrent of unwanted search results.

6. File Type Operator:

You can limit your search results to specific file types.  Ever want to know what power points people have published on Reykjavik?  Search “reykjavik filetype:ppt” to be amazed.  Likewise you can search everything from avi to zip for your file-finding needs.

In case you didn’t know, we’re in tough economic times.  These economic conditions have drastically cut budgets across the nation and world, leaving meager allowances for marketing and advertising in its wake.

Nonetheless, expectations for 2010 remain optimistic.  In a new study released yesterday, StrongMail reveals nine out of ten business executives plan to maintain or increase their marketing budgets.  Execs aren’t thinking conventionally for the new decade either, instead the survey’s respondents indicated they were open to marketing strategies that utilize the Internet and maximize their dollar.  Next year, 69 and 59 percent of business executives anticipate increasing their email and social media marketing, respectively. Another 42 percent claimed they expect to spend more on search engine initiatives, such as SEO and PPC.  The survey’s results indicate a migration to internet marketing tactics, as advertising and direct mailing initiatives are expected by less than 30 percent of execs.

Furthermore, the study showed a desire among business executives to combine the tested and proven tactics of emailing potential customers with social media.  Execs did not, however, demonstrate uniform confidence about how they would go about implementing such strategies in the upcoming year.  Instead, one out of five executives claimed they had no idea where to begin.  With more businesses seeking to establish an online presence in hopes of finding cheaper alternatives to conventional advertising, it is certain that social media marketing and search engine initiatives will play integral roles in the year 2010.

One of the most important aspects to Web 2.0 interaction is the integration of user generated content.  User generated content is usually done through the creation of some kind “community” platform.  The community aspect has become more familiar simply due to the popularity of social networking websites.  Online community is no longer an added value that websites offer users but rather something that is expected from certain types of sites.

User generated content can be in an open format but is usually moderated by the administrators of the site.  Allowing users to interact with the online experience engages people emotionally, allows a free flow of information, creates a valuable learning environment, keeps people on the sites longer, keeps them coming back, and can help with optimization and conversions.

So what are the differences between blogs and forums?  Is one better than the other for certain sites?  Below is a list of comparisons that can help clarify these points:

Definitions:

Blogs are defined as content generated by a person or persons with the main goal of offering knowledge, advice, and thoughts about specific topics (an online publication so to speak).  Blogs are usually broken into categories and have search functions for users to find specific topics.  Most blogs have a “forum” aspect where users can post comments, feedback, and questions about the posts.  Those comments are usually managed by an administrator, so some will get posted and some will not.  The intent is for the author to provide insight on the topics they are interested in, and what their users want to read.  A good example is this Internet marketing blog.

The main purpose of forums is to create a discussion platform between multiple people.  Forums offer a real time place for people to interact and exchange knowledge and ideas.  Forums are also usually monitored by admistrators, but open communication is encouraged.  The intent is to create an open discussion including the positive and the negative.  Good examples are rating systems for products on e-commerce sites.

How Content is Controlled:

Blog administrators usually define the content and direction of topics.  Blogs are often used for specific Internet marketing functions for applying unique content and adding value to website pages and user experience.  Blogs are more focused and managed by a single person or group of people.

Forums are usually less structured and allow for users to create new topics.  The direction of the conversations are more unpredictable and can often more accurately define the interests of the community.  Forums are less focused and follow the trends of the users themselves rather than the hosting platform.

Order of Topics and Articles:

Articles in blogs are usually ordered such that the most recent posts are at the top of the page.  This is good and bad.  Most blogs have search features but users (especially new users) typically read whatever is most recent unless they are researching specific topics.

Forums show posts and comments from all variations of topics.  Usuallyk, the most recent comments are at the top creating a display of conversations on all types of categories.  A good example of this is a social platform like Twitter.

Privacy:

Blogs can be syndicated across many other blogs and websites through blog rolls and RSS feeds.  Content can be displayed anywhere.

Forums are usually more private and kept within the website platform itself.

So what is better? Both are a great way for information exchange and user generated content on the web.  E-commerce platforms or sites selling products and services usually have one or both.  Forums are seen more often in e-commerce because users are allowed to rate products and discuss their purchase experiences.  Blogs can be integrated with any type of site but are presented more like an online publication presenting the topics designed by the author.

How does all this apply to Internet marketing? A professional Internet marketing company offering comprehensive services usually will integrate blogs and forums into their organic search engine optimization strategies as well as their social media optimization and reputation management strategies.  This can occur both “on page” and “off page”.  Blogs and forums can be integrated with any site and there are great existing software programs out there so you can avoid building from scratch.  The off page component is used for organic SEO, which helps generate unique content and inbound links to the site being optimized – but that is another topic in itself.