Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Google Monopoly

Google has its own monopoly when it comes to search results and its so-called search standards. Every few months we hear of new rules and amendments being made to Google’s algorithm. The SEOs will possibly lose their jobs if it wasn’t for Google... or so I am told (Ya right! As if I am going to believe that).

More than just providing us with authentic search results Google appears to be determinedly focused on being different and so it is.

Honestly speaking, when it comes to Google you can never be too sure!

Some people seem to want to report paid links and so Google thought that they’d do something about that. Every few weeks they update their algorithm and feel like trying some new ideas that leads them to change the existing algorithm. I don’t mean to imply that paid links shouldn’t be reported. By all means they should. If someone is using wrong means and ways to get the better of the resources and getting by in someone else’s place, that person and company should most definitely be reported and stopped. But shouldn’t the whole scheme and system be perfected before Google starts making everyone’s life a living hell by only testing their still-in-process systems?

What they initiate themselves is what they usually end up creating a system against. What of the webmasters who have only recently brought links to sell off? Ok, so maybe the ones who had all the wrong reasons to buy those links would be feeling very stupid right now but honestly give me a break! How are you to provide valuable services to your customers when your paid links are under siege?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Social Networking - All that Glitters...!

Social networking seems to be the 'in-thing' these days with almost all the sites... but is it really that good? I wonder sometimes. How helpful is it? And why would someone want to waste a load of time for it online? Ya well, it’s true that the so-called "social networking phenomenon" has been all that and is, at the moment, a great platform for marketers. It's definitely one of the new ways to advertise your brand online. But it rather seems more like a fad. Things like these seem to come and go. How accurate is this really?

So it started as a cool thing, like most of such stuff does, and it's gradually being turned into the 'not-so-cool' by all that extra jazz being thrown its way. More and more companies and brands are opening up their own blogs to advertise for themselves... that’s justified? Ok, so its sending all that growth towards you, but did you know that it's also creeping up some people!

Over the past couple of months social networking sites seem to have received their fair share of 'spam', especially for those who have been using networks like 'Facebook'. They sure seem to be complaining about unwanted friend requests and malicious activities, not to mention the unsolicited advertisements.

So are we still going somewhere with all this 'Social Networking'?

It won't be long before spam becomes all too frequent in this area as well, and then what? Wouldn't the companies who are all "for" social networkings seek other safe havens then? Of course they will. Sure networks seem to be taking notice of this right now but the question remains... how long till people start dropping out of this? Honestly, if spam becomes more frequent, people will decide to leave these networks for good. Just look at the amount of friend requests you get on Facebook and MySpace alone. It’s like a hobby for some people, seriously! And it gets worse... Some people leave social networking thinking that the spam problem is over, but the truth is that the spam seems to follow you even long after you have left. And it doesn't seem likely that this 'social networking' hype will last that long as the 'in' thing, or will it?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Becoming Googled

Amongst all the various search engines that we have Google is the most popular due to its customer trust. However, we also stumble upon examples every now and then where Google either buys or creates a clone of services that might be threatening their market dominance.

Take StumbleUpon as an example. Once Google saw their growth rate, they made the best possible offer to buy it or in some cases they rather have cheaper clones created that are capable of making huge sales and competing with others. This way Google not just advertises for itself but end up creating a lot of exposure that leads to market dominance. Google doesn’t like competition, who does? But Google knows how to gain an edge over its competitors. And due to Google’s strange market policies it has killed many small market players to get a piece of larger businesses. Google will keep ranting against your brand if they see competition unless you give in and strike a deal with them and give them a big cut. Due to this many small affiliates have been gradually killed and Google just leads the show with businesses who work directly with Google.

And yet again Google bonds with another well-known name. This time Google decided to connect AdSense to Western Union giving small countries a payment option. So now countries like Egypt, Bulgaria, Morocco, Taiwan and Lithuania can follow easy instructions and get paid in local currency easily. Google main search is also providing exchange rates. Well, that's an achievement and one way of how Google keeps on making it Big and being the only one to get a 70% market share in the U.S... yes that's right... by buying or teaming up with market giants. Duh! Way to go guys!!!


So moral of the story is... Anything that is big and has a huge market – it will be Google’s. If it isn't Google's already then it will be soon enough! So all the successful companies and people out there become a part of Google and it gets even bigger and better. Hmmm... so what next?!!!