Ty Downing » Google

Google Reportedly To Buy Yelp…Gulp!

Ty — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:18:28 +0000

This weekend I have been hearing rumblings that Google is poised to buy Yelp for $500 million, a social network of sorts based on reviews of local business establishments. Let me make a prediction, 2010 will be the year of “local Search” and local UGC (User Generated Reviews)

What does this mean for Google? They can strong arm the local search market by acquiring Yelp, and snag an additional 25 million monthly unique visitors! Now this will add to Google’s recent aggressive push towards their own Business Local product, and “Favorite Places on Google” which will allow businesses (Who are verified) to place Google’s branded sticker on their store-front window. Take a look at this below:

Getting back to Yelp, do you see how huge this could be? The “local Search” wars are ramping up, thus why I am actually teaching a class on local search next month to show businesses how critical it will be to know how to get listed in these products and services for local business. Let us not forget the mobile search applications too such as Foursqaure, Gowalla and UrbanSpoon. Take a look at the comparison of these mobile and local search behemoths….2010 should be fun! What do you think? Please leave your comments below if you agree or disagree with my predictions…

Google Caffeine Now Live On A Data Center, Any Changes?

Ty — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:19:06 +0000

Like coffee? I do, several cups a day because I love the taste and smell of coffee, but also caffeine. Lets not talk about coffee though, but Google’s “sandbox” new and improved search engine, dubbed “Caffeine. It was announced recently on Matt Cutts blog that we can expect “caffeine” after the holidays, but I am not sure how they define “holidays” because yesterday they went live with one data center for testing 209.85.225.103, at least for 50% of the users hitting that data center.

I must be on the other end of the 50%, because in my preliminary testing it’s about the same. Have any of you had any changes? Google changing and adopting new algorithmic rules is nothing new, however this could be significant…stay tuned! For the original announcement regarding Caffeine, read it here.

Again, I would love to hear your feedback on your test’s!

Mobile Movie Apps, More Than Just Movies…

Ty — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:19:57 +0000

This morning Mashable posted an article about a new Google search feature for mobile devices. Just fire up your iPhone, Droid or WebOS phone, go to Google and search for “movies”, and click on the “More movies” link. Take a look at the video below.

As much as I like Google, there are far more powerful “apps” that give you more than movie information, take for example “Flixster” app. It geo-targets your location and provides places nearby to eat at after the movie (Pics below), upcoming movies, dvd sales and much more. Fandango app is also a movie app. Overall, I love what Google is doing, and the video below is pretty cool, but apps turn user experience into just that, “an experience.”

What are your thoughts? Do you use any mobile apps for movies? Which ones do you like, dislike?

Screenshots of the Flixster app.

Take a look at Googles gift to San Jose Airport

Ty — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:30:56 +0000

Just gotta love Google!

Why Do You Think Google Bought AdMob?

Ty — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:06:40 +0000

Yahoo! Joins With Bing (Microsoft) Take On Google?

Ty — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:24:51 +0000

Have you heard the news? Yes, it was announced this morning that Yahoo joined forces with Bing and the guys at Microsoft. This type of relationship between them is nothing new, just a few years ago Microsoft was using Yahoo’s PPC ad system on their search engine, however this new “reconciliation” looks to be different. Below are some details of this crazy news…

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think it will last? Will they really challenge Google? I have my thoughts, but please, I want to hear yours!

Feel free to leave an audio or video comment.

Here is the live signing… It’s like when Lebron James signed to the Cavs!