Google StyleBot

Ryan    Uncategorized     Google, StyleBog

Just when you thought you had figured out all of the CSS issues between browsers new and old, here comes Chrome’s StyleBot… a plug-in that allows anyone and everyone to come in and fool around with your precious style sheets.

Actually, I personally  think Google’s StyleBot is pretty cool. But that’s because I’m kinda into the whole CSS thing… especially tinkering around with WordPress and other CMS themes.

No matter what site you are on.. Yahoo!, Google, CNN, Amazon, or RyanJin.me, with StyleBot, you now have the capability of changing or customizing any object on that page with your very own custom CSS. That could mean anything from changing all the fonts on Google to Times New Roman, to turning off all of the images of a webpage! Really, if you have any degree of knowledge with CSS, you can pretty much do anything, especially with the ‘Edit CSS’ button that allows you to go right into the styles themselves.

The benefit? For me, there is a huge benefit with StyleBot. For one, I am really into customizing WordPress themes, but because I’m not 100% in the know of how every single element of a WordPress blog behaves, I can use this plug-in to make sure I’m changing the right element at the right time. No guesswork! While the web design aspect is pretty convenient, the actual benefits users can get out of this plug-in is up to the individual person.

If I was partially blind and wanted to read some small text, this would be a handy tool.. just as much as ‘Cntrl + Scroll’  is a handy tool. But also, if some some wacky designer decided to put some green text behind a red background, or there is some text that doesn’t show up because someone screwed up some color combinations… well, StyleBot can help. Sure, the average Joe might not get a huge kick out of this thing, but  it’s all about the designer right? JK

Google’s StyleBot should be in the hands of anyone who is either learning CSS, utilizes CSS to build themes, or just enjoys CSS and and other design elements for the web. Check it out here!

National Mortgage Rate

Ryan    Uncategorized     Google, Lead Generation, National Mortgage Rate, Paid Search

After checking my mail and browsing the top headlines on my iGoogle page, one specific keyphrase caught my eye… “National Mortgage Rate.” Now I know what you might be thinking… actually I don’t. Let me just say, it’s on my mind.

Any ways, after checking the average rates, trends, yadda yadda yadda, I did a simple Google search for “National Mortgage Rate” and came up with this ingenious paid search ad:

Interesting huh?

So let’s dissect this just a tiny bit… It looks like a Paid Search ad, there’s a heading, some content, and then a link.. but then there are some radio buttons and a ‘Compare rates’ button. That’s new, well at least, it hasn’t shown up in a Google search result for me before. After a quick click-through, this is what I came upon…

Click the image to get a better view

Do you see what I see?

Sure it might just look like a great way for us to put in our home loan information and then shop around for the best refinancing options available.. I mean its just a phone call away right? But let’s just think about this for one second. Google has all of this information. We’re still at Google.com… we still see our iGoogle login at the top of the screen… why is Google helping me make this very life-changing decision by giving me some valuable information?

Want the hard truth? Google has stepped into the lead generation spotlight. Really.. and I think they have poised themselves to pretty much kill everything, or at least alter, in their wake.

If Google is able to put THEIR link on the TOP of their paid search listings… (Yeah.. it looks new.. so people are going to click it), why would anyone shop around further? I would think they’d stick around on Google for a little while longer right? So let’s just say they do so. Now, people are given hard numbers.. prices, rates.. even phone numbers! If I can see that I can pay $300 bucks less on my home loan with all of the same loan information and all of the same valuation, I’m going to go out and contact that particular bank.. for sure. So where does Google make it’s money?

Instead of Google Adwords selling a company a single click, now they are able to sell a company a true and honest lead. Oh my God. How much do you think companies are willing to pay Google if someone has actively shown an interest in their company and are very serious about buying a home or refinancing? It is really staggering to imagine the money that can be flowing between Google and their advertisers. But I guess that is life right?

So whats next? I say.. look for these same types of comparison shopping (aka Lead Generation) advertisements to flood your searches. It’ll be a while before it hits everything.. but if you’re looking at purchasing a big  ticket item… (mortgage/home, online education, insurance, etc) look out. By all means, USE IT! But understand that Google has poised themselves to get some major bang for their buck when it comes to lead gen.

Peace

Google Fade and User Experience = Wait For It!

Ryan    Uncategorized     Google, Google Fade

While searching today, I noticed an odd occurrence on Google’s homepage. No, not your personal iGoogle page,  just the regular web search starting page that not too long ago, epitomized the simplicity and unclutteredness Google is known for. In all reality, it still is one of my most favorite homepages of all time. So whats new?

You know those “Find the Difference” games? Try this on!

Versus…

(You can click on the screen shots for a better look.)

So do you see the difference?

If you haven’t noticed it by now, the Google search homepage is now waiting to add your account info, links to other features, and even the About Us or Advertising links, until you’ve moused over the site, or at least have taken some kind of further action. Basically, you’re given the logo, a text box, and the phrase, “Press Enter to Search.” Interesting huh? Once you have moused into the page, all of the regular links come back. So what’s the deal?

<html onmousemove=”google&&google.fade&&google.fade()”>

So after some research.. I found this line to be a little intriguing. As a side note, if you haven’t taken the time to look through Google’s HTML and Javascript, you should. Any ways, after taking a look at this as well as thumbing through bits and pieces of adjoining Javascript, I started wondering what this Google Fade thing was… it this a stepping stone for something bigger? A test of some sort? Maybe it is purely an aesthetic thing, I don’t know.But it is kinda fun to guess!

My theory:

So there are a few parts to my theory, but the major junk of it revolves around Google Suggest. If you don’t know what Google Suggest is, go to Google, and start typing a search phrase. See those suggestions that Google thinks you’re looking for? That is Google Suggest.

Alright, that is all fine and good, but how does this relate to Google Fade? (Wow, if Google’s mission statement was to slap their name on products and services, they’ve definately succeeded) Take a look at the this entry over on the Google Blog. Some of the main topics Jonathan Effrat, David Kadouch and Matt Kulick talk about relate the the ease, speed, and personalization Google Suggest gives a user. What better way to emphasize this then to take all other forms of navigation out! More on this in a minute.

In addition they also touch on some really interesting features that are becoming more and more evident. If you’ll notice…

… when I started searching for Yelp, Suggest popped up more then highly qualified suggestions, but more importantly, stuck an actual result in there! I’m not kidding… If you type in yelp, and down arrow to the actual Yelp link, it will take you to the home page. Sorta a glimpse of ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ in action I suppose.

Another interesting issue Effrat, Kadouch and Kulick speak towards in the inclusion of Paid Listing in the suggestions themselves! Whoa, I know! Go to their post and read it yourself. They have a screen shot. Think about that for a minute. What if, while you were typing your search query, the company you were looking for pops up automatically and you’re saved the trouble of being taken to those pesky search engine results pages? Annoying! (not really)

In addition to these ideas, Google Labs also reveal some interesting perspective. If you’re interested, take a look at the experiments and activities you can do in the Labs. Keyboard shortcuts… Accessibility. They’re continuing to look into and research even better ways people can search online, as well as on mobile devices.

So as Google Fade in all reality could be just a beautiful aesthetic the search engine wants to incorporate to make your searching experience calmer, understand that there are some key landmarks taking place. You know how Hulu.com MAKES you watch a commercial before you can watch your video? What if Google starts showing you pages of paid material before you can start resuming your search? Interesting to say the least!

Peace

Google Maps – A Content Factory that Evolves

Ryan    Uncategorized     Google, Google Maps, Organic Search, Social Media

So last week sometime, I forgot what day it was, I came across a Tweet mentioning the new features of Google Maps. Have you seen them? They are ridiculous. Check out my old office when I worked in Seattle at Marchex…

View Larger Map

Any ways, if you haven’t noticed, you’re now able to click on various parts of the street view map to zoom in or travel to the specific location of which you clicked. Gone are the days of clicking through streets to find the restaurant you want to go to. Gone are the days of thinking.. ‘Wow, somehow, I’m here when I need to be all the way down there.. it’s too much work to go to map view again just to go to the right location. I’m going to just keep clicking until I get there.’ – Okay so that might just be me, but you get my point. Take a minute to go to maps.google.com and play around in street view. It’s kinda fun!

But whats the point? Why make a good thing better?

So Google Maps isn’t Social Media. It isn’t SEO, or even PPC, but it is content… and you better believe you’ll be finding all three of those things embedded into it sooner or later if not already. Take for example. Google Business Listings. Google was smart enough to tell people.. ‘Hey… we’ve got this application out there that is way better then other maps on the internet, that we’d like to populate with GOOD information.. such as your business! Do you want to be on GOOGLE MAPS?’

‘Sure?’ says Barry Wells of Barry Wells Chevrolet. (Disclaimer: I don’t think there is a Barry Wells Chevrolet.. if there is, you should rejoice in my free publicity!)

Why wouldn’t local businesses want to show up on the map most Googlers, let alone people, use today. – Add features such as kick ass zoom, position warping, and simulated earthquake damage.. this is not available yet, and you’ve got a content factory that people are just going to want to keep pouring their heart and soul into. It’s the Google business model. (If you don’t know the Google business model…. Create Content Theme Parks (Search Engines) -> Slowly Incorporate Advertising -> Make Gazillions… its sort of similar to this video:

Alright so those mind trick videos are kinda dumb; your attention is not on the moving bear, but nonetheless, the bear was there… you can never go back and tell me otherwise. Although the bear is irrelevant to the basketball players, it does ad value to the video. Essentially.. Google has perfected this illusion, so much that it’s not really an illusion anymore. PEOPLE LOVE BEARS!

As Google Maps continues to pull more and more people, businesses, and cool tools/applications that make map navigation easier, why not optimize for this local audience. Make the effort to create the Local Business Listing, or submit some photos for a particular address, or just write a review or two. You know SEO, you know that content is key. Join the local conversation, and you might be surprised at who sees you. But although you might not be a local business owner, you can at at least wave to people when they drive by.

Peace

Sitting in a Google Blog Search Session at SMX

Ryan    Uncategorized     Blogsearch, Google, SMX

Chris Pennock – Senior Software Engineer – Speaker

So I wanted to do some live blogging while I was at SMX this year, but as you may have noticed.. notta. This session being on Google Blog Search, however, I couldn’t have found a better opportunity. That being said, Chris is now talking.

“Who uses Blogsearch”? – Somebody looking for more raw or opinionated data.

“How does Blogsearch Work”?

Blog author publishes, Google ges a Ping, Crawl the post, Index, user searches, finds it… takes about 10 minutes. Should I publish now? Sure, why not, stay tuned.

– Saved

High quality content is the most important aspect in Google Blogsearch. Actually, if you think about it, in all search. What am I talking to a bunch of 1st graders? No! I shouldn’t be telling you this. I guess it’s just the only thing I can think of writing at this point. This session is kinda hard to listen to, especially while I’m trying to live blog. Looking up at the PPT now… … I’m too far away. I think there is an image of a Google Blog Search page. Chris is talking about ‘Related Blogs’ now. Whoops now he’s talking about Meme Tracking… what is it?

MeMe Tracking: Part of the page that talks about blogs. How long somethings been going on, … tracking for about a day… …working to updo that… … one thing, similar to Google News, and it is… …no bias between niche blogs, if you have a great post, Meme could pick it up…? …can also look up by topic… …whats going on…

Man this guy is all over the place. Either that or I just am not a good live blogger. I think probably the latter. I’ll stick to Twitter.

– Saved

So yeah, I just wanted to write a new post since it’s been a good long while. Sorry the content kinda sucks. I’m wrapping up day 2 at SMX and like yesterday, I’m running on fumes. Sorta. Actually, I was able to it up Alex Chen at Google in San Francisco for lunch today. Oh My Gosh! I want to work there. Well who doesn’t? So their cafeteria is quite impressive. Couple different ‘hot bars’ with Italian, Asian, etc… sandwich bars, a couple salad bars, dessert bars, and then the view. Man the windows look right on San Francisco Bay and it’s just amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t get any pictures. Let me look at Google Image Search for a possible example….

So yeah I realize this isn’t the view of San Francisco Bay at Google, it is the slide that goes from the 3rd floor to the 2nd! Yeah I know. Apparently this person does not no how to ride a slide correctly, but as Alex mentioned, people can use lunch trays for maximum sliding efficiency. Anyways… best thing I could find in Google Image Search.

– Saved

So Chris is done talking now. Now we’re all trying to get him to open up on what Google sees or uses as an important aspect to blogs… links, comments, titles, etc. Yeah he’s not opening up too much.. “You know, just the normal stuff… tough to get into a lot of detail.” Alright.

“Is Google reader/feedburner a factor?” Answer: “We have lots of data about blogs… we’re data driven.”

“If you get flagged for spam, is there an appeal process?” Answer: “Yes, we will look at it and help”

“How much of a challenge to identity a blog versus a forum versus a website that updates frequently?” Answer: It’s a challenging problem, especially with forums. Can’t talk to much on that.

“If your site if hosting it’s own blog, is there any way to differentiate or block Blogsearch from crawling your blog versus a forum?” Answer: Is that a problem? No.. Okay… Yeah No (I added that one)

Okay I’m sure I’m not the only one writing about Google Blogsearch at the Google Blogsearch Seminar at #smxwest. I’m done, and I’m ready for some food, and sleep… and then flying back home to Phoenix tomorrow! Yay!

SocialU and Google

Ryan    Uncategorized     Google, Social Media, SocialU, Subjective Search

Hey, so I downloaded SocialU last week and gave it a test run to see what exactly it does. EL has introduced me to lots of new social media platforms and I have to say, it’s pretty interesting. Any ways, after playing around in SocialU I realized that this was just an attempt at beginning to create dynamic/subjective search engine. Basically, you go in, create an account, and then socialize with friends who are on the same platform. BUT… the program is also a browser. Not only can you visit your favorite websites, but you can rank them on popularity, or maybe even whatever you want. After ranking, you can also leave comments, add to favorites, you can pretty much do whatever. It’s all fun and good.. but then…

SociaulU

Google released WikiSearch last Friday. Have you seen it? It’s basically a feature in a Google SERP that allows you to remove unwanted links.. or links you don’t want clogging up the top of the search results page, and then allows you to rank other pages higher. At the same time, you can leave comments on each page. WTF!?!? Are you kidding me? Was SocialU first to this idea of ‘subjective search’ first, or maybe it’s a scheme by Google to attract new audiences…? Although I’m thinking Google has little to do with SocialU, the resemblances are uncanny. Well they are canny, just very similar is what I’m trying to say.

Any ways, check them both out.