It’s coming, Search Engine Strategies - Toronto - 2007.

For the 2nd year in a row, Search Engine People is sponsoring the conference. Not only because we’re good corporate citizens. Not only because a couple of us will be speaking.

But because it’s an opportunity to become more entrenched in what we do every day. And because it’s an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with some of the familiar faces in our business. And because it’s an opportunity to meet some of the new faces in the business.

Wow, what a difference 24 hours makes.

Suddenly 3 and 4d is all the rage. From the CAVEman above, to Google, Microsoft and Everyscape all releasing 3D mapping.

To Microsoft’s new table top computer.

Talk about a change in perspective.

Have a good one.

~The (SEP) Guy

Red Herring today features a story on Everyscape, a photo based 3D Search company.

It’s an intriguing proposition.

A virtual walk-through of a neighbourhood you’re considering moving to. A walk-through by day might differ from a walk-through might differ dramatically from a walk-through by night. A 3D tour of the restaurant you’re thinking of going to? The food may look particularly good, but other factors also begin to enter the equation… by example are there any people actually in the restaurant.

While still in beta mode, Everyscape is compelling inasmuch as it quite literally adds depth to search. Talk about geotargeting.

Conversion is always a key component to any marketing strategy and Google’s new one is rather inviting.

In short, it’s a “Don’t click here” call to inaction.

And the five year old in me say: Uh-huh.

Mea culpa. I had to click something.

The long and short of it is I really can’t decide if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. That little “don’t click here” order has stayed with me all afternoon.

And of course, if you see enough of those little don’t click here signs, I suppose it could prove enough incentive to move to the paid listings, but Google wouldn’t do that… would they?…

So, courtesy of our resident Wizard and his apprentice, a query was postulated today.

Why doesn’t Google provide numbers beside rankings?

If you look at Yahoo, you’ll notice the numbered listings that appear beside each result. 1…. 2… 3…. blah, blah, blah.

The premise put forward today was that Google doesn’t do this because it may inflate clickthroughs of the first position. Interesting thought, that the number “1″ would be more motivation to click than the listing itself.

I’m not sure I agree entirely but it’s an interesting thought.

Today’s blog comes courtesy of Geri Rockstein of Writeforthenet.com. With that kind of domain, you have to know Geri is a web content writer. In fact, an esteemed content writer who knows of what she speaks. And on that happy note, over to Geri…

“Content Is King”

“Content is king” seems to be a buzz word in the industry. But what does that really mean? And does anyone really care?

And under the category of not news, Google announced today that is unveiling Universal Search but for the sake of convenience, let’s just call it AGATT. (ALL GOOGLE ALL THE TIME.)

Work with me here. Do a search for red roses on Google, not google images. Theses are the results and my, aren’t those just about the prettiest durn red posies you ever seen? Click on those results and you go to another Google property, not to the web site from which the flowers image orginated.

Do a search for car crash and there it is, as it’s been for months now, a YouTube result and now with pictures!!!

My boss and I had an interesting conversation yesterday around — I’m sure this will come as a surprise to everyone — Google.

Specifically around the amount of information Google gathers. I’ve been down this road before, I think it’s too much.

Andrew Goodman had an interesting article at SearchEngineLand.com: Your Paid Search Performance Is Relative detailing metrics and conversions all relative to paid search. Of course performance is measured all along the way.

All of this finessing should see a better spend, but the hope is a better spend will lend itself to a bigger budget, not only for you, but for your competitor as well. And up and up rates go.

problogger had a group writing project this week and the following 5 reasons are why we enjoyed it.

1. It made us think - The task was to post a top five list, but the real challenge was to create a top five list we hoped would engage comment and conversation and be pertinent to our business tract.

2. It helped prove the level of user engagement - With 893 entries the level of commitment was inspiring and a proof of concept in making blogs work as buzz generation tools.

3. The Link Love - Nuff said.

What I like most about the possible Yahoo/MSN merger is that it will raise the profile of Ask.com which, to my mind has possibly the best interface of them all.

Saw the new Google search results page design and decidely do not like it. It seems forced and is redundant in ways.

Haven’t seen it? Google Blogoscoped has it covered.

Have a good one.

~The (SEP) Guy