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Bing

What Google vs. FairSearch.org and the US Senate Means to You

by Tim on September 22, 2011

Google vs. competition Well, it finally happened. Yesterday, Google and members of “industry watchdog” FairSearch.org testified before the Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights subcommittee of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. (The subcommittee could sure use some lessons in naming from that watchdog group, couldn’t they?) Search Engine Land has an excellent recap and also live-blogged Google chairman Eric Schmidt’s and the rebuttal testimony.

I put “watchdog group” above in quotes because, despite raising some excellent questions about Google’s practices, FairSearch was founded by Google competitors such as Microsoft, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Travelocity and Kayak (the latter three feel threatened by Google’s purchase of ITA Software and subsequent Flight Search product launch. I should also point out that I use Google AdSense for some of the ads displayed on this blog and conduct business on behalf of some clients with TripAdvisor, Expedia and other FairSearch sponsors—standard disclosures apply).

In any case, as Chris Sherman from Search Engine Land writes about a recent FairSearch study:

“Fairsearch.org has released findings from a new study that raises serious and important issues about Google, its influence on searcher behavior and whether the search giant’s actions are deliberately hindering competition. Unfortunately, the study results are tainted by flawed methodology and a blatant anti-Google bias, implicitly favoring the agendas of the companies that sponsored the research.”

The article concludes:

“Like most consumer watchdog groups, Fairsearch.org deserves credit for raising awareness on important issues that cry out for rational discussion. Unfortunately, the organization’s apparent single-minded goal to cripple Google, coupled with its disingenuous argument that this hobbling will be good for consumers (rather than helping the interests of its own patron companies) make it a source most people should eye with considerable skepticism.” [Emphasis mine]

I think the Search Engine Land folks are right. Some of Google’s practices are worth looking into. For instance, their approach to review sites isn’t entirely fair to those sources, no matter the benefit to consumers. I’m just not sure that government is well positioned to regulate such a dynamic market. After listening to some of the questions yesterday—and ridiculous pandering for broadband by several senators—I’m not sure our elected officials remotely understand the market they’re investigating. And the actions of FairSearch are, to quote Search Engine Land, as well as my friends Robert Cole and Henry Harteveldt, disingenuous at best.

Long term, increased access to information—whether provided by Google or others—creates increased price transparency for consumers. As I have noted for some time, Google’s antitrust trouble was inevitable. One company with that much power can harm the industry—and potentially your business. Which is why, I’ve also offered recommendations on what you should do about Google’s antitrust worries, including how to grow your business in a world without Google.

I’m not suggesting that we’re there yet.

But, given the lack of understanding of displayed by members of Congress (including, in a couple of cases, what looked like obvious bias against Big G), and Google’s less-than-stellar transparency in its responses, nothing would surprise me. It’s time you’re ready no matter what happens.

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Technorati Tags: 2011 predictions, adwords, E-commerce, e-commerce, e-marketing, ecommerce, Google, google, google adwords, Microsoft, Microsoft Bing, Net neutrality, online marketing, ppc, ppc marketing, search, search engine marketing, sem, strategy, TripAdvisor, Expedia, FairSearch.org

Tagged as: antitrust, Bing, expedia, Google, google adwords, google antitrust, legal, legislation, tripadvisor, yelp

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Bing and Facebook “Like” one another. Should you “Like” this deal?

by Tim on October 14, 2010

in Bing, Facebook, Google, Search, Social Media

Big news in the social search sphere yesterday, as Microsoft and Facebook announced that Bing search results will include things your friends “Liked” on Facebook. They’re also working on including Facebook profile information into people searches on Bing. All of which is pretty cool stuff.

But here’s the question: Should you care? Will this matter to your business? Let’s look at the facts:

According to Comscore, Bing increased its search share in September to 11.2%, a 1 percent gain. Google also increased its search share 1 percent – from 65.4% to 66.1%. Advantage: Google.
Bing plans to grow its share by partnering with Yahoo. Of course, with both Bing and Google gaining share in the last month, guess where that share came from? You got it: Yahoo. In fact, Yahoo might be selling itself to AOL. Oh, and AOL’s search is powered by Google. While it’s too soon to say how this shakes out (I could easily see M$ buying AOL out of its deal if they do pony up for Yahoo), I’d still say the advantage leans in Google’s favor.
Facebook’s “Like” data is a really big deal. Mashable reports that the “Like” button is used on over 2 million sites, to say nothing of Facebook’s half-a-billion users clicking their preferences everyday. Advantage: Microsoft. Big time.

So, who wins? Well, loads of folks out on the Web think this is a huge deal for Microsoft and Facebook. And, I definitely agree that this is a big step forward for how search engines rank results. But, this deal only makes sense for Microsoft and Facbook if consumers use Bing. If even a small percentage of Facebook’s 500 million friends start using Bing regularly for searches, either inside Facebook or on the site itself, then Google ought to be worried. At the same time, given its enormous share, I wouldn’t end your Google AdWords campaign just yet.

I always like to give you a conclusive answer. But, in this case, time – and customers – will tell. The real takeaway here is to stay tuned. I think social search isn’t remotely settled yet.

What do you think? Should Google’s geeks be quaking in their sandals and socks? Or is this nothing but a bunch of hot air? Tell us what you think in the comments.

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Technorati Tags:
Bing, Facebook, facebook, Google, google, google adwords, internet marketing, Microsoft, Microsoft Bing, search, social, social marketing, social search

Tagged as: Bing, Facebook, facebook marketing, Google, google adwords, Search, social, social search

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5 random thoughts for hump day…

by Tim on November 25, 2009

in Strategy

Last day of the work week here at thinks Central, so I thought I’d just clean up a couple of items in the inbox that don’t seem to justify full posts.

In no particular order, here we go:

With publishers hemorrhaging cash, why don’t publishers include affiliate links in their e-books’ cited works? As an avid Kindle reader, it would be really handy to be able to buy certain books – or, better yet, a given chapter of a cited work – from within the book I’m already reading. You’re guaranteed a qualified audience, plus extra revenue.
Gizmodo claims Google is trying out a new search interface. Cool.
I love Google Insights for Search. Where else can you learn things like the fact that apple pie is more popular than pumpkin pie or stuffing, except for right around Thanksgiving:

Now go and apply that type of thinking to your business.
Want one example? OK. I was curious how many people searched Google for Bing, Bing.com, and Google.com (I also had just “Google” in there, but the scale was absurd. Try it for yourself):
And, just for fun, you’ve got to watch the Muppets do Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s a riot: