Microsoft is deepening its Facebook integration with Bing by powering results with more social factors that will help “fuel faster decisions.” This announcement follows close behind Google’s +1 unveiling last month, which presents the engine’s answer to socializing the search experience.
Google is making a concerted effort to socialize its roster of products, as evidenced by a new incentive program for all employees who innovate in this area — no matter what product team they claim (this according to a leaked memo from CEO Larry Page stating that Google will reward employees for he success of social products). The Google Places product team seems especially motivated in this mission. Over the last few weeks, several social elements have been integrated into Google Place.
Google has begun testing a new paid search ad unit, called Media Ads, which are expandable video units that are guaranteed to appear at the top of the results page. The new units are currently only available to movie studios (360i is a test partner).
360i Point of View on Google +1 Overview Google +1, which just launched as a pilot and will soon appear across all Google paid and organic listings across the web, allows consumers to mark preferred listings and passively share results with friends. While currently a pilot, it could in time make a significant impact on […]
Microsoft recently announced that keywords within the adCenter platform will soon be assigned Quality Scores similar to those assigned to keywords within Google’s AdWords platform. But, unlike Google and other platforms, Microsoft says its Quality Scores (QS) will not directly affect how ads are ranked.