Google +1 - Much Hype and Nothing More

Google launched +1 button to much hype and publicity.

Here's what Google +1 offers (or doesn't):

1. +1 to make Search Results more Relevant - or so they say. Aside from being a copy of Facbook's 'Like' button, there isn't much to Google +1. Just Facebook, you can see your friends recommendations after you sign in.
2. Affects on Search Rankings - Highly unlikely! Google "might" incorporate +1 recommendations in the search results in the future but it's not happening any time soon. And when it does, who do you think would jump at the opportunity the most? SEOs of course! And then there will be another story of SEO spamming etc etc.
3. Incorporating Twitter Results - Google said no to that already! They're already showing Twitter results through their search engine, you think they're crazy to give Facebook and Twitter all the credit? :P
4. Flickr Recommendations - While it's not visible now, but Google says that it will use data from Flickr for its +1 recommendations.
5. Third Party Effects on Search Results - When Google considers Twitter and Facebook in its search results, it's sure to take direct recommendations from its very own +1, but that's for future use they say.

What Google is Doing

• Competing with Facebook - LOL! Google is known for this, aren't they? I think they believe in the philosophy... If you can't beat em, join em ;) Has to be so, since Google has the habit of buying anything that shows even a bit of competition and when they can't do that, they try and compete. Just like they 'tried' to do so with Twitter by launching the (oh-so-failed) Buzz.
• Trying for a Google Community - Millions of users stay logged in to Facebook 24/7, and with a good reason too. Facebook is highly interactive and has a lot to offer. Who would want to stay online on Gmail all this time? Unless you're a crazy SEO... I can already hear collective whines! 
• Effects on SEO - Since Google announced that it will consider +1 recommendations in the search results and it's likely to effect site rankings, don't you think that will create a mass black hat out break? Well they are calling for it! People can easily create so many Gmail accounts, log in and +1 their sites. Or ask their friends and family to do that same from their dozens of accounts. How is that going to help with authentic results?

Sometime I wonder if Google even thinks before launching stuff like this or maybe they just do it for the sake of competition!

OMG! Jazz Jazba Logo is Copied!

Some of you might have noticed, and in case you didn't... Jazz Jazba logo is copied!

Yes, that's true. You read that right!

Apparently whoever designed the logo for them had a bit of 'inspiration'.

Yes, that's the Jazba! ;)

There are views that it's not a copy but only the topography is same. However, before launching a brand identity, shouldn't the company be looking at possible plagiarism? We would like to believe that it's not a copy of Zagora's logo, but that's just wishful thinking!

Copied or not, the logo certainly did remind people of another logo they had seen quite earlier, therefore not creating the impact Jazz company was perhaps going for. Who wants their brand logo to be called copied?!!!

Word of advice guys - next time search before you market! Or better yet, create your own unique brand instead of having logos created for every package :)

'Change Profile Photo' Option Missing on Twitter

For some unknown reason Twitter's 'Change Profile Photo' option seems to have disappeared. Can you find it? I can't!!!

Logged in to Twitter this morning, thought of changing the profile picture, went to Setting and was unable to located the section where we change the profile picture. Where'd it go? It has to be some Twitter malfunctioning. Unless they have removed this option all together. Which will just be weird :s

Why the New Twitter is All That!

Ok, so Twitter has started rolling out its new web interface. Users will gradually start viewing the new interface over the next few weeks.

I have been using the new twitter for past couple of days and I have to admit its pretty cool and sleak looking. I like how they have made things more interactive and available to users in the right panel. One of the best features is how one click on someone's name can open the page up in the right panel, all the while keeping your personal page running on the left. Now that is cool! It's loads better than clicking on someone's name and then going to their page and then coming back to your home page.

New Twitter Interface

One of the things I found slightly preplexing for the first day or two was the missing 'Find People' button. I couldn't locate it anywhere. The new twitter interface offer you better search options. Now we can not only search for terms but also find people via the search box loacted at the top. You enter your search term and get a new page where there are options to furture specify your search. Nice!

What's left is Twitter adding paid ads at the bottom of the right panel, since there is space to do something like that there. Or perhaps they'll have more ideas. Anywho, overall its a more sophisticated interface which is more organized and is definately more faster (since I don't have to click on the 'More Tweets' button anymore.) All you have to do is scroll down and twitter will keep showing the older tweets without you asking twice. Is that cool or what? :D

Caffeine + Instant = Google Me. Duh!

Like Google Caffeine and Google Instant, Google Me is likely to lead webmasters and website owners into a SEO frenzy. Sure, Google is doing all this to provide us with 'authentic' results but why can't they make an update and then let us be for a while longer than just a few months? I wonder!

Google Me is working in collaboration with Facebook and will be providing a 'social layer' in the search results that will top all other results, including basic search, videos and Maps. Read more>>

Google Instant searches are based on assumptions. Even before you finish writing your longtail query it will start giving search results and your target audience is likely to go for a more general term that comes up first and seems nearest to the query. Read more>>

Google Caffeine added quality to the search results. Good thing about this is that now the webpages get indexed faster, producing results in real-time. So now instead of the search engine taking months to index sites it will do it within seconds. The focus is now more on social media sites like Twitter etc.

One question though, if all of this is based on providing real time results then why launch 3 different things and not provide all on one deal?

Seriously, the people at Google who came up with these names (Caffeine, Instant) sound seriously addicted to coffee and maybe it went up to their heads, rendering them incapable of thinking straight and launching so many updates like this :s

Image Source: a1-leading-edge-intl.com