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New Media News Every Morning

Google Fires Missile at Wikipedia With Knol

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Hoping to capitalize on the dominance and growth of social encyclopedias, Google has Wikipedia in its cross hairs with Knol (includes shades of Squidoo and Mahalo).

Users can create a page on any topic that includes text, images and links.

Moderated collaboration will allow page creators to accept or reject edits and changes to each Knol.

Now why would you want to create a page? Google is allowing page owners to makes some cash by earning revenue through AdSense clicks.

As someone who once wasted money on a Million Dollar Wiki page, the concept sounds familiar. In fact, you’re probably already targeting popular keywords, eh?

The visibility of content is controlled by the reviews and comments left by visitors (these dictate ranking). Good content will be rewarded. Multiple pages can be created for the same topic or item.

Even if Knol scrapes away a small percentage of Wikipedia’s audience, that will still be big traffic.

Originally posted on July 23, 2008 @ 4:21 pm

GOOG-411 Comes to Canada

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You probably still won’t find what you’re looking for, eh.

The Globe and Mail in Toronto is reporting that Google has been indexing businesses up north in a push to move their GOOG-411 service live past American borders.

The Maple Leaf country is often a second-class citizen when it comes to getting the latest technology.

Personally, I NEVER have had luck with the Google service. In fact, I’m pretty certain that one day they will release recordings of my rants and raves.

I’m not sure why, but it’s by far the worst voice-recognition system I’ve encountered in recent memory. Maybe I just talk funny.

Sorry Canada, there’s not much to be excited about. Not even a Stanley Cup.

Originally posted on June 22, 2008 @ 7:32 pm

Google Will Accept Third-Party Ads on Its Content Network

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Break in case of a Microsoft/Yahoo deal!

In order to cover their bases, Google has announced  that they are opening their massive content network to all ad buyers.  Basically, third-party ads will be accepted.

The move should please both advertisers and publishers alike, allowing them to better understand the value of their inventory and increase everyone’s revenue.

From Google:

“Today, we’re announcing that Google is accepting third-party advertising tags on the Google content network in North America. This will empower advertisers to work with approved third parties to serve and track display ads, including rich media ads, across the Google content network through AdWords, giving them more options, flexibility and control over their campaigns.”

Sounds like good news for everyone, except Microsoft and Yahoo.

Originally posted on May 19, 2008 @ 11:16 am