Last Week in Search: Google makes major algorithm change, Firefox Partners with Bing, Gmail Fails on iOS and Google+ Gets YouTube & Chrome Support
Google ‘Fresh Content’ Algorithm change
Google made some massive changes to its search algorithm last week, aiming to bring more timely and relevant content to the top of results pages. Set to impact a huge 35% of searches, Google says the update “better determines when to give you more up-to-date relevant results”, allowing you to stay up to date on recent events, hot topics, regularly occurring events and making sure information on top results is up to date. Google’s been pushing many of their products into real-time within the last month and with this update are looking to make their search results as real time as it can get after the company shut down their Twitter firehose access that powered Google Realtime.
Firefox Partners with Bing for Search
Firefox made a deal with Bing earlier this week to bring the not-so-creatively titled ‘Firefox with Bing’ to their product lineup. The Bing-powered Firefox is essentially the same version of Firefox you know and love with Bing set as the default search engine and home page. Search Engine Watch explains the move as a result of Mozilla’s expiring deal with Google, a deal that accounted for 98% of Mozilla’s $121 million revenue in 2010. With Google’s Chrome coming leaps and bounds since the last Mozilla-Google deal in August 2008, industry analysts don’t expect a new deal to be struck between the two now-competitors.
Google Drops the Ball with Gmail on iOS
While the Gmail redesign was met with middling enthusiasm, Google’s new native Gmail app for iOS was met with a barrage of criticism after launching with a broken notifications system, lackluster design and a terrible user experience. Tech site Gizmodo hit the app hard saying it is “so terrible it must be some sort of sick joke”, sentiments echoed by tech journalist Robert Scoble who called it “a piece of crud”. Users flocked to Twitter to detail issues with push notifications, speed, the lack of support for multiple accounts and the similarity of the app to Gmail’s web app.
The Verge ran a quick hands on demo that lays out the major issues with the app:
Google pulled the app two hours later and published this update to their Gmail blog:
Earlier today we launched a new Gmail app for iOS. Unfortunately, it contained a bug which broke notifications and caused users to see an error message when first opening the app. We’ve removed the app while we correct the problem, and we’re working to bring you a new version soon. Everyone who’s already installed the app can continue to use it.
Referral Keyword Data Drops
Last week we took a look at how Google’s new SSL-encrypted search for logged in users would result in a loss of keyword referral data for what Google predicted would be below 10% of all searches. Search Engine Land are now reporting up to 14% of searches are coming from logged in users, with SSL-encrypted searches spiking over the last week. We’ve checked it out across our Analytics data and we see a big spike in the past week, but nowhere near the 14% Search Engine Land claims. As Google+’s user base grows, expect the percentage of keyword referral data not showing to grow with it.
Google + Features: YouTube inline playback & Chrome extension support
Google expanded two of its most popular products, YouTube and Chrome, to the Google+ platform last week. YouTube’s integration comes in the form of a small box on the side of your news feed that when moused-over turns into a search box asking what you’d like to watch. After searching, the feature will build a playlist in a new window. With so much great music content now on YouTube, the button will be a hit with music-streaming fiends. Google’s Chrome browser also got a Google+ makeover in the form of new browser extensions that allow you to +1 and check your notifications from the browser’s toolbar.
Gmail Redesign Launches After Major Leak
Google launched its new version of their popular Gmail service after a video leaked last week showing off the pending redesign. With a stripped back visual interface, a coat of now signature grey, white and red Google paint, and a whole stack of white space, Gmail’s new design brings it further in line with Google’s product line, most specifically Google+. Reception to the new interface was mixed, with many commenting on the shortcomings of the new design on smaller screens.
Google Launches Mobile Initiative GoMo
Early last week Google launched GoMo, a new mobile website initiative designed to teach webmasters and businesses about the benefits of taking their website mobile. Google’s recent addition of mobile capability as an AdWords ranking factor and the GoMo initiative means more content optimised for mobile devices that Google can build into mobile search, one of Google’s fastest growing search fields. With the ability to test your site’s mobile capabilities and access a customised report on how to take your website mobile, GoMo breaks down the barriers for businesses looking to build a mobile site.
If you’re looking for help to take your business’ website mobile, leave your details in our consultation form on the right and one of our web developers will get in touch!
That’s it for Last Week in Search guys, see you next week for a round up of all things search.
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