Search Headlines – April 17, 2007

I’m Confused. Microsoft Won’t Take What Sitting Down?

Over at Inside Microsoft, Nathan Weinberg comments on Microsoft’s recent claims that Google’s DoubleClick acquisition "raises serious competition and privacy concerns" in a post entitled You Thought We’d Take This Sitting Down.

My question is take what sitting down? The fact that Google wanted DoubleClick more than Microsoft and outbid them? I just don’t understand. It’s not like Google did this deal behind closed doors. Microsoft had the same opportunity to buy DoubleClick that Google had but they chose not to. I’ll be commenting on this more later, but a lot of the recent talk about Google’s evilness seems a little crazy to me. I can understand the hesitation over how this will affect Performics, but the other stuff sounds too paranoid even for me.

For example, Tamar Weinberg points to a recent Cre8asite thread where the topic is Why Aren’t We Afraid of Google and highlight some "scary" comments Eric Schmidt made recently. The problem is the comments aren’t scary. Traditional advertising is changing and Google just so happens to be on the forefront of that. It’s not scary that your cable box will be replaced by an IP-addressable box so you can receive better targeted ads; it’s the future of advertising. If you don’t want it, stick with your regular box. I also have a VCR I’m not using if you’re interested. [Can I borrow it? — Susan] – No, I was really only offering to people I like. I should have specified that, sorry.
Google Presentation App Coming

Google Blogoscoped seems to have the scoop that Google has acquired Tonic Systems to help them complete their suite of office products by launching a PowerPoint-like presentation application (saying "presentation application" makes me giggle). The new presentation application (hee!) will be firmly integrated into Google Docs & Spreadsheet. Predictably, Eric Schmidt says their office suite is not a threat to Microsoft. Okay.

You can get a demo of the Tonic software on their site, if you’re so inclined. Personally, I wasn’t really that interested. It’s a presentation application (!), not a nuclear missile.

UK SEOToolSet Training Reminder

Every once in awhile I remember that I work for Bruce Clay and therefore have information you may be interested in. For example, today while munching on lunch (a peanut butter sandwich, if you must know. I’m de-toxing from last week’s calorie overload.), I remembered that UK SEOToolSet training will be taking place 13-15 June in London and you may, in fact, want some advanced warning so that you can, you know, book your flight and stuff. So this is my reminder to you:

Bruce Clay UK SEOToolSet training will be taking place June 13, 14 and 15 in London. You can get all the UK training information on the Bruce Clay UK site.

Fun Finds

Loren Baker highlights a clever use of the Google Maps API called WhoIsSick.org.

NewsFactor Network’s Jennifer LeClaire offers up a good comparison of Google and Yahoo’s analytic offerings.

Bill Slawski tells you everything you need to know about submitting video to the search engines.

Lisa Barone is a writer, content marketer & VP of strategy at Overit Media. She's also a very active Twitterer, much to the dismay of the rest of the world.

See Lisa's author page for links to connect on social media.