So what's been hot in the buys world of search this year? A quick look at our statistics suggests that in 2007, bigmouthmedia news has published:
- over twice as many stories on Google as on Yahoo!
- nearly four times as many stories on Google as on MSN
- three times as many stories on MSN as AOL
- and nearly twice as many stories on AOL as on Ask.com
Our most popular stories of the year covered a variety of topics: from an expose on Blackle, a customised version of Google that claimed to save energy with its black screen, to Froogle being re-named Google Product Search. We even saw original scoops on Google's blockage of Yahoo! Pipes and paranormal search engine ufocrawler.com, both of which attracted a lot of interest.
We've also seen a large number of stories on personalised and social search, reflecting the still booming popularity of social networking sites and Web 2.0. In fact, bigmouthmedia's coverage of social networking sites has reflected the integration of these sites into many people's online lives, ranging from the exponential growth of Facebook to the ever changing faces of these sites as they battle to become ever more essential to the online identity of web users. Additionally, there are the huge advertising revenues that social networking sites have the potential to achieve if people to continue to embrace the social networking revolution - as we certainly seem to be in the UK, ranking as the heaviest user of such sites in Europe.
We also saw businesses adopting social networking trends as a way to connect employees through a business networking experience. Moreover, we've also been grabbed by the impact social networking sites can have on certain anthropological and political issues - with the increasing presence of social networking sites in enhancing the visibility of politicians and even suggestions that social networking sites could play a pivotal role in post-disaster recovery.
The advances made in the mobile web sphere has also been a prominent topic for bigmouthmedia news - Google, for instance, stepped up its mobile search game and was named the top mobile web site for smartphone users in the US and UK in June. Yahoo! oneSearch also expanded the reach of its facilities this year to several new countries across the world.
Of course, no discussion of the mobile web would be complete without talking about the iPhone - that much anticipated piece of hardware that arrived amidst a flurry of speculation concerning its web surfing capabilities and the implications that would have for the industry. The iPhone's Safari browser is, to date, the most advanced web browser ever placed on a portable device. Judging at least by the boost Google Maps received once the iPhone became available, there are indications that it is living up to its reputation as one of the mobile web's flagship tools in the search engine world.It's therefore no revelation that the iPhone and iPod have been high on searchers' lists in the run up to Christmas but maybe it is a little surprising that the Nintendo Wii has been hitting the headlines again. A full year on and the Wii was the most searched for device in the run up to Christmas according to comScore. The Wii's browser technology, developed along with Opera, offers users a dedicated search function, eliminating the need for search engines such as Google for Wii users surfing the net. Could the number of Wiis attempting to fly off the shelves this year have a substantial impact on these stalwarts?
Well, it's not as though Google are lagging behind in any way. Their buying power has certainly proved itself strong this year, following the acquisition of companies such as Jaiku, Green Border, Postini and, of course, their attempt to purchase DoubleClick for $3.1 billion - an act that has had privacy corporations and governments in uproar the world over. The controversy over this prospective purchase has seen probes into Google's intentions by the European Commission and senior US lawmakers, as concerns about competition in the industry are rife.However, it's been philanthropic and environmental actions from search engines that have warmed the hearts of many in 2007. The release of Yahoo!'s Top Trends for 2007 highlighted a trend we've been seeing all year, the interest in Green concerns that has been manifesting itself acrossthe web. The same concern might not be so evident in Google's Zeitgeist for 2007 but the world's leading search engine has displayed its fair share of affection for our planet this year.
For instance, Google added to its environmental credentials by launching a carbon footprint measuring system for users. What's more, September saw Google.org put forward $10 million towards sustainable transport initiatives.
Other environmental services were implemented successfully throughout the year too, such as Yahoo!'s eco-friendly online education programme, which offers users access to the latest environmental news and tips to combat climate change. Search engines are certainly well placed to know what the people want, and many of us seem to want to do our bit for the planet.
The industry has seen another year of technological innovations and trends, some anticipated by bigmouthmedia and others taking us pleasantly by surprise. But whatever happens in the dynamic sphere of the search industry, rest assured that our passionate writers will keep you up to date with breaking news stories in 2008 and beyond!
