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You are browsing the search results.

Want to know when the uber early adopters and drinkers of the Google kool-aid are browsing to your site? Then check your Google Analytics.

GA is now showing Chrome in the browser section of your data. Chrome is the Google-developed browser that was released into, what else, beta this week.

Anyone checked their Analytics for this yet? Got anyone browsing from Chrome? Share in the comments!

Update from Kevin Newcomb: I wanted to share our early Chrome visitor stats for Search Engine Watch. For Wednesday and Thursday combined, we saw 4.4% of visitors using Chrome, compared to 51.7% using IE, 34.4% using Firefox, 4.5% on Safari, and 3.4% using another Mozilla browser.

It’s very early to tell, and entirely non-scientific, but it appears that Chrome is taking its share mostly from Firefox, with a small dip into IE. In August, the browser usage of SEW visitors broke down like this: 52.9% IE, 37.1% Firefox, 4.4% Safari, and 3.7% Mozilla.

With the launch of Google’s Chrome browser Tuesday, the Google machine moves into another territory. In today’s SEM Crossfire column, “All That Glitters Is Not Chrome,” Frank Watson and Kevin Newcomb ask if Chrome will grab a decent amount of market share and reignite the browser wars? Does Google even want it to?

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Earlier this week, comScore released the results of a study examining recent changes in consumer attitudes and perceptions about the state of the U.S. economy. The study found that consumers in all income segments are cutting back on spending due to concerns about the economy, and that they were doing so to an even greater extent in July 2008 than in April 2008.

So, what does this mean for search engine marketers?

Many consumers have become increasingly cost conscious and are turning to the Internet for pricing information. The survey findings revealed that nearly three out of four consumers believe the Internet has made it “a lot easier” or “somewhat easier” to find better, more useful pricing information.

In addition, 75 percent of respondents said that they believe the Internet will become an even more important channel for pricing information, with 41 percent of respondents saying it will be “a lot more important” and 34 percent of respondents saying it will be “somewhat more important” in the future.

Do you need some examples to drive this point home?

In New York, Andrew Jeffery of Minyanville.com reports, “It appears the city that never sleeps has finally succumbed to the economic slowdown, and it’s not just the neon “Recession Special” sign outside Gray’s Papaya.”

In San Francisco, Liza Zimmerman of the S.F. Wine & Cocktail Examiner reviews a “Recession special: the Viansa 2007 Dolcetto is another well-executed example of using classic Mediterranean grapes on California soil.”

When Hyundai asked the Complex Blog to review their first Genesis offering touching down in the states, the company best known for econo-boxes “threw Complex the keys and we took this recession special for a ride.”

But wait! There’s more!

Go to the Rates and Registration Details page for SES Chicago 2008. Just like last year, there is an Early Bird Rate that enables you to save $200 if you register before November 21. But, unlike last year, there is also a “Recession Special,” which lets you save $600 if you register before September 26.

And if you want to appear as “sartorially challenged” as one SEM industry observer said “the brains of Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization are,” then turn up at SES Chicago wearing the “Recession Special Shirt” being offered by Ten Deep at Turntablelab.com. According to the review, “Nothing like a nice, timely shirt that reflects things going on in today’s headlines.”

Of course, wearing such a shirt violates the dress code in the SES Speaker Guidelines, which states: “Business casual attire is recommended. Formal business attire is perfectly fine. If in doubt, overdress. You won’t feel out of place, as many speakers will also be in formal attire. How you look has an impact on how well the audience receives your presentation.”

It’s a classic dilemna for marketers: Follow the guidelines or take advantage of today’s headlines. What would I recommend? I’d advise you to jump on the “recession special” to save $600, but skip over the shirt. But, I should disclose that SES is a client. If you want to take more of a fashion risk, that’s a decision that you’ll have to make for yourself.

Recently, I “>examined various online maps for their ability to provide data in the country of Georgia, a Caucasus state which was recently invaded by Russia.

Google left a lot to be desired, but today comes an announcement that more data has been added to their Georgia Maps. Notice in the screenshots below how more cities are visible upon a search for Tskhinvali today than a few weeks ago.

BEFORE

TODAY

Still, upon a search for Abkhazia, Google takes me to a business listing in for an institute dedicated to policy in the Georgian region.

What do you think of this update? Is Google still lagging behind on data for this region of the world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

After two weeks of political conventions, comScore is releasing data regarding activity for the candidates of the two major political parties in the U.S.

comScore has analyzed the online display ad views, website video views, and searches conducted for Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Obama leads McCain in online display ad spending and searches conducted. McCain may want to look into competing better in online display ads - if they’re working for the Senator from Illinois, something perhaps only his campaign knows. Both numbers probably speaks to Obama being less known as well as his popularity over McCain, which has been demonstrated in the polls.

McCain did begin outspending Obama in search advertising in May and June. Subsequently, the race tightened according to polls. Google has attributed both candidates’ primary wins to their search advertising spends.

Here’s are the charts from today’s comScore release:

The recently announced Google Insights tool provides unprecedented data on Google’s user searches and trends. In today’s building brand equity column, “(Google) Insights on VP Candidate Sarah Palin,” Erik Qualman offers three quick tips on how to leverage Google Insights, whether you’re running a Presidential race or a brand marketing campaign.

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Despite some popularly held ideas to the contrary, viral campaigns don’t need to be massive to be successful. You can have a small campaign that has a big impact in your industry or community. In today’s linkbuilding column, “Viral Link Building: Size Doesn’t Always Matter,” Justilien Gaspard explains that the power of viral marketing for link building comes from going after a targeted audience.

» Full story

AOL has announced that their ad-serving platform and network, Platform-A, is launching an iPhone ad optimization solution. The solution is offered through Third Screen Media and detects when web browsing is being conducted on an iPhone. AOL says the combination of the Third Screen Media mobile network gives Platform-A, which reaches 90% of the internet audience, the ability to deliver up to 75 million iPhone ads per month.

“Today’s launch is a perfect example of how Platform-A’s unmatched reach, solutions and technologies can benefit advertisers trying to reach consumers in the most compelling way,” said Lynda Clarizio, President of Platform-A. “We can not only help advertisers effectively reach iPhone users on WAP pages and Web pages, but we can also deliver banners optimized for display on the iPhone.”

Last month, Platform-A opened up mobile ads to third parties. In June, Platform-A was made available in Europe.

The Internet Marketers of Delaware Vally (IM_DV) have organized an unconference as they are calling it on their website. But in reality, they have rounded up an impressive group of speakers and are offering attendance for only $21 for the 2 day event.

Our own Kevin Ryan will be speaking, along with many other well known names in our space. Li Evans, Kim Krause Berg, Greg Meyers, Debbie Weil, Geoff Livingston and Will Reynolds are just some of the featured speakers.

The event is being done in conjunction with PodCamp so there are many areas to pick up tips and learn. The sessions have been broken into Beginner, Intermediate and two Advanced programs with 40 sessions to choice from over the 2 days.

So if you are in the area I would suggest stopping by. Hey where else can you get a great cheese steak and a 2 day conference for under $30!

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