Language moves on. Some of the same words consumers searched on in 2005 can have vastly different meanings when searched on today, or they might not have existed. For example, some words spelled the same might have different meanings, while other words have different meaning with slightly different spelling such as Microsoft “Kinect,” rather than “connect.” Then there’s the new words all together like “iPad” that didn’t exist a year ago. Ian Saunders, managing director at Crystal Semantics, says language changes about 5% annually. – Read More

“It’s hard to overstate what Apple’s done with the App Store,” said a game developer friend last night. Another IT buddy at the same dinner concurred: “It’s just an absurdly easy platform for publishers to get product into the hands of consumers. They’ve definitely earned their 30%.” Profoundly true, my friends’ comments underscore the idea that the biggest success stories of our day share a common characteristic: they are matchmakers, not brides. – Read More

The other day I had to spend about an hour driving on the freeway. Usually I get into the fast lane and set the cruise control at about 70 mph, and away I go. This day I managed to spend my entire drive with the cruise on, not once having to change lanes. This gave me the chance to watch a pissed-off young lady in a late-’90s Camaro, weaving all over the road cutting people off, jumping at holes in traffic, getting a bit ahead of me and then falling behind me as well. Obviously it made me think of SEO. I’m weird like that. Brace yourself for a cheesy yet apt analogy. – Read More

No doubt about it: Marketing is the last business unit to automate processes. Technology moved in to streamline and integrate campaigns, but some marketers still stand stiff as statues, caught like deer in the bright headlights of an oncoming car. – Read More

At the past Search Insider Summit, we invited Michelle Prieb and Jen Milks from Ball State University to come and give us an outsider’s view of search from a Gen:Next perspective. Little did we realize that by inviting two “digital anthropologists” into our midst, we were also giving them a unique opportunity to conduct an ethnographic analysis of the vocabulary, customs and quirks of the Search Insider tribe. Here’s their report…. – Read More

Scan a traditional UPC barcode with software on one of Nokia’s latest phones and it will search Krillion’s product database, returning information on availability and price based on location. Sherry Thomas-Zon, chief executive officer at Krillion, tells me the company plans to make an official announcement next week that it’s technology feeds product search data behind the scenes to support Nokia’s barcode scanner technology. – Read More

How many consumers know or care about real-time search? A study released this week from RTS engine Wowd indicates some ignorance: 52% had never heard of real-time search before taking the survey. Perhaps it’s time the search industry steps up to the plate. – Read More

For years, I have wondered why Yahoo continued to clutter its homepage as Google took more and more market share with its simplistic design. I think the new Yahoo commercial makes it very clear what’s happening. Yahoo is not Google. Although it’s jumping ship on search by partnering with Microsoft, I think we are now experiencing a much more focused Yahoo. It’s the leader in display advertising, and its strategists are embracing this strength. – Read More

Like a young child standing in front of classmates with a big grin on his face ready to spill the beans, Google’s venture capital arm, Google Ventures, launched new information on its Web site explaining the company will build a team of entrepreneurs, subject-matter experts and investors committed to providing more than financial backing to companies that fit the bill. Aside from providing capital, Google also plans to assist with product launches, code reviews, user interface designs and more. – Read More

With respect to Bonnie Tyler, we need a hero. We look around the search space, and every major player is, well, a major player — and flexing its muscles accordingly. These are not the scrappy underdogs giving it their all to overcome monumental odds; these are the Goliaths, the Leviathans. And they swallow any new company that starts to look even remotely interesting. – Read More