Bigmouthmedia Search Engine News: /personal-search/

Google+ averts identity crisis

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:01:00 GMT

What's in a name? Apparently a lot, when creating a Google+ profile.

Google+ took a controversial stand at its inception and required all users to use their real-world name to avoid pseudonyms and impersonations. When users originally signed up with an identity other than their real name, Google suspended many of those accounts.

While most people go by the name that appears on their driver's license or passport and wouldn't think twice about using their real name on a social network - some people have created images and lucrative brands around an established pseudonym. Take Madonna or Lady Gaga, for instance.

Google+ has heard the cries of identity anguish and announced it will change its policy.

"Over the next week, we'll be adding support for alternate names - be they nicknames, maiden names, or names in another script - alongside your common name," Bradley Horowitz, a co-leader at Google+, wrote in a Google+ post.

"This name will show up on your Google+ profile and in the hovercards which appear over your name. In the next few weeks, we'll be displaying it more broadly as part of your name on other areas of Google+ as well. So if you're Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jane Doe (Smith) you can now communicate your identity the way you want to."

Google+ will, however, have the last say and reserves the right to deny the use of a pseudonym that they feel doesn't represent an individual, like businesses and abstract ideas.

Users can appeal to Google+ if the name they intend to use is flagged by providing information to confirm an established identity. Back-up documentation could include references to an established identity offline in print media, scanned official documentation or proof of a meaningful online following.

Borowitz added: "Today is a small step towards improving the ways in which you can communicate your identity of Google+. We will be listening to feed from the community and will continue to refine all aspects of how we handle names and identity over the coming weeks, months and beyond."

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Google+ phases out incoming stream

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:01:00 GMT

Google is set to axe its 'incoming stream' from Google+, in an effort to keep things simple for users.

Engineering Manager Dave Besbris quietly announced the changes in a Google+ post, stating: "The 'incoming' stream was a part of Google+ from the very start and it served an important purpose at the time to help discover others on Google+.

"Since then however we've added a suggested user list, What's Hot, the ability to share circles and in-product search with saved searches."

Through the incoming stream, users could see posts and activity of others who followed them but whom they didn't follow themselves - however, critics argued the feature was too confusing.

The move away from its 'incoming stream' comes in direct response to user frustration, and tweaks to Google+ have incorporated some of the features of the incoming stream to other aspects of the social networking site.

"We've also greatly improved our friend suggestion algorhithms. these changes all serve the same purpose that incoming originally did: connecting people," Besbris said.

"Based on your feedback and our user research, we learned that the "incoming" stream was a very confusing part of Google+. Not surprisingly, this feedback was reflected in very low usage of the "Incoming" stream compared to the rest of Google+, so we decided to remove it and simplify things."

The young social network has been constantly refining its services to make them more user-friendly since its initial launch - tweaking existing features and introducing new ones. And, with Google's latest Search plus Your World updates, activity on Google+ is now even more visible in search results - a move that will likely encourage users to engage with the social network even more.

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Twitter throws the first stone at Search plus Your World

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:36:00 GMT

As news about Search plus Your World spread like wildfire through the internet, the web's biggest microblogger was quick to throw the first stone at Google.

It seems Twitter is less than enthused about the proliferation of social search results in the latest Google update - users can now see a mixture of social and global results for search queries, including stories gleaned from Mountain View's own social network, Google+.

Former Google employee and Twitter general counsel Alex Macgillivray tweeted that it was a "bad day for the internet", and Twitter followed suit, releasing a formal statement:

"Often, [users] want to know more about world events and breaking news. Twitter has emerged as a vital source of this real-time information, with more than 100 million users sending 250 million Tweets every day on virtually every topic. As we've seen time and time again, news breaks first on Twitter; as a result, Twitter accounts and Tweets are often the most relevant results.

"We're concerned that as a result of Google's changes, finding this information will be much harder for everyone. We think that's bad for people, publishers, news organisation and Twitter users."

As part of Google Realtime Search, Twitter signed an agreement in 2009 with the search titan to carry results gleaned from its microblogging site. When the deal expired this past July, Twitter opted not to renew it, and shortly after, Google announced it had disabled Realtime to explore other options.

Google responded to Twitter's statement, saying: "We're a bit surprised by Twitter's comments about Search plus Your World, because they chose not to renew their agreement with us last summer, and since then we have observed their rel=nofollow instructions."

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Google home page gets a makeover

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:48:00 GMT

A new year, a new look for Google's home page.

In a bid to simplify the page and improve user experience, the titans of search are rolling out one of the biggest home page changes to date.

The revamp takes away the black bar that currently runs horizontally across the top of the Google home page and replaces it with a grey logo.

When a user clicks or highlights the new logo, a drop-down menu appears offering seven alternative services to the site's search page, such as Gmail and YouTube.

Experts are speculating the change was designed to promote more of Google's businesses while still maintaining its preferred uncluttered and plain minimalist front page.

A spokesperson for Google said that the roll-out was also designed to improve user-experience.

"Constant revision and improvement is part of our overarching philosophy," he said. "If you compare the original Google home page to today's version, you will see that the makeover every so often can certainly be refreshing."

Additionally, analysts have noted that the home page change now requires two clicks to enter services, such as Images and News, which only previously required one. Though, this may be to the site's financial advantage.

According to Chris Green, principal technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group, "For years we've all be extolling the virtues of minimising the number of clicks and it would appear to be a retrograde step.

"But for the sake of clarity it's better having the extra click. What it also means is that, for most people, their first route into the Google universe will be back through the search bar again, which helps the firm expose more people to advertising."

As such, Google is also facing scrutiny for the way its services appear in its search results.

Last month, two U.S. Senators called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether Google was using its market power to steer users towards its own products. And, the European Trade Commission has examined claims that Google deliberately downgrades rival websites.

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Facebook ordered to increase privacy by Irish regulators

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:37:00 GMT

Facebook has received a full audit of its systems by Irish regulators and agreed to make more than a dozen privacy improvements within the next six months.

The recommendations made by Irish Data Commissioner Billy Hawkes came after an investigation concerning the social network's use of personal user data launched in October.

Facebook houses all its user data and operations outside of the US and Canada in Ireland. Two months ago, regulators launched the investigation after a series of controversies surrounding Facebook user data surfaced, with claims of 'shadow profiles' being created for non-members.

The regulators found this was not the case, and that Facebook only collects data about non-users for security purposes.

"While certain data, which could be used to build what we have seen termed as a 'shadow profile' of a non-user, was received by Facebook, no actual use of this nature was made of such data," the report said.

Facebook's director of public policy in Europe, Lord Richard Allan, welcomed the findings of the regulators in an interview with the Telegraph.

"They've found that the way we're using data is consistent with how we say we'll use data... the issues raised were not based on substance."

However, the investigation has found fault in their introduction of facial recognition technology, used for 'tagging' friends in photographs. However, its usage did not breach data protection law.

"[Facebook] should have handled the implementation of this feature in a more appropriate manner and we recommended that it take additional steps from a best practice perspective to ensure the consent collected from users for this feature can be relied upon," the Irish Data Protection Commissioner's report said.

The social network has now agreed to provide users with more information on facial recognition and the opportunity to opt out. Other measures they will have to undertake include clearer terms and conditions, easier access to the data Facebook has on users and a better system of allowing users to give consent for personal data to be used by third-party apps.

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Facebook introduces private Page messaging

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Facebook is making it easier for brands and consumers to communicate with one another in private.

The titan of the social network recently began rolling out a mechanism that will allow brands to communicate privately with consumers via their Facebook Pages.

However, unlike with Twitter, where either party can initiate a direct message, Facebook will require the individual initiate the conversation.

Using a "Message" button on a brand's Page, consumers will be able to privately message companies - much like they currently do with their "friends". Once that is done, though, the conversation is open to both parties.

The feature will also allow brands to privately respond to comments or posts on their Pages.

Social media has long been marketed as a tool for one-on-one engagement with customers, but has to date primarily been used as a one-to-many platform.

Private Page messaging opens up the possibility for more effective one-on-one communication and a greater level of customer service on Facebook. It also has the added benefit of allowing brands to more discretely address customer feedback.

"This could perhaps reduce the airing of dirty laundry that a lot of brands experience when angry consumers take to the brands' Facebook Wall to communicate something negative," Jake Wengoff, global director of social media strategy and research at the research firm Frost & Sullivan, told Direct Marketing News.

But, social media experts are also warning of the potential negative side effects of increased private communication.

A Page's visibility and worth is increased by its fans' interactions with their friends, such as comments and shares. More private messages could ultimately lead to fewer public comments and somewhat curtailed growth.

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PayPal takes aim at Groupon

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:25:00 GMT

Daily Deals monger Groupon may have to brace itself for rough waters ahead as internet payment giant PayPal announces its intention to enter the daily deals market.

With more than 103 million users worldwide, PayPal hopes to leverage its database of consumer information into targeted e-coupons and daily deals that will prove more relevant than the ones currently being delivered to their inboxes by competitors like Groupon and LivingSocial.

According to Bloomberg News, the eBay owned company will make its foray into the land of daily deals in early 2012.

PayPal will also work to edge out the competition by offering deals to users' smartphones based on their location. For example - PayPal will alert users to available offers as they near a store or restaurant.

PayPal president Scott Thompson is hoping by targeting user location and buying habits the company can close in on its target revenue goal of $7 billion (£4.5 billion) in 2013.

"The experience is going to be completely different than anyone else's through and through," Thompson said.

"We'll only give you something that we think fits the category of unique and relevant. Everyone else is going to bombard you."

Following its initial IPO filing, Groupon shares jumped before swiftly sinking several weeks later.

Though Groupon and LivingSocial still hold the lions share of the daily deal's market, newer competitors like Google Offers and PayPal's yet-to-be-launched initiative could pose a serious threat to the company moving forward - particularly if new competitors can leverage the wealth of consumer information effectively and offer tailored offers to consumers.

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Google gets Siri-ous about virtual assistant

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:48:00 GMT

Not one to ignore the success of others, Google has acquired app-maker Clever Sense, sparking rumours it may be planning to build its own Siri-like software.

Makers of local recommendation app Alfred, Clever Sense utilises artificial intelligence to generate recommendations for users based on their dining choices. The app searches for other customers and reviewers with similar tastes and uses their preferences to generate suggestions for users.

"Today, we are excited to join Google and start a new chapter in curating the world around us," Clever Sense co-founder Babak Pahlavan wrote on the company website.

"Together with the Google team, we will accelerate our efforts toward this shared vision.

"Google helps local businesses connect with potential customers, and its worldwide presence can bring the value of Clever Sense to a much larger audience."

While Alfred does not have a voice recognition function, similarly to Siri, it makes use of internet search to provide recommendations to user queries, and learns user preferences and tastes over time.

"Discovering local information is extremely important to both users and businesses, and the acquisition of Clever Sense will benefit both," Google said in a statement.

"The Clever Sense team is at the forefront of developing a recommendation engine that connects the online and offline worlds by delivering personal and sophisticated information to users at the right time, the right place, and within the right context.

"By combining their technology and expertise with our team and products, we'll be able to provide even more people with intelligent, personalized recommendations for places to eat, visit, and discover."

Rumours that Android is developing its own voice recognition software have been circulating for some time, and the acquisition of Clever Sense's Alfred may be the missing piece of the puzzle for the smartphone platform in its efforts to go head-to-head with the iPhone.

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Google starts graphing

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:13:00 GMT

Students and math lovers alike need search no further than Google next time the battery in their graphing calculator dies.

The search seraph has rolled out its newest feature - graphing functionality - to help share the "magical feeling" of seeing a mathematical function in a graph.

"Now you can plot mathematical functions right on the search result page - just type in a function and you'll see an interactive graph on the top of the search results page," Google Engineer Adi Avidor wrote on the Google blog.

Inside the search engine, users can do everything from convert currency and measurements to translate words, search movie times, check arrival and departure times, or get directions. And with the addition of Google+, Google Music, and graphing functionality, there are few things a user can't do with Google.

While a simple calculator has been available inside the Google browser for some time, the graphing functionality takes the next - and more complicated - step forward in helping users solve complex math problems without ever sharpening a pencil.

"You can zoom in and out and pan across the plant to explore the function in more detail. You can also draw multiple functions by separating them with commas," Avidor wrote.

"This feature covers an extensive range of single variable functions including trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and their compositions, and is available in modern browsers."

"I hope students and math lovers from around the world find this experience as magical as I found the graphing calculator so long ago."

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Google tracks Santa's movements

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Santa Claus is coming to town...and with the help of Google, kids and grown-up kids can track his every move.

Once again the movements of the big jolly bearded-one will be displayed for all to see has he prepares for the busiest day of his year - culminating in his night-long marathon across the globe on the 24th.

Those wishing to keep an eye on old St. Nick can do so every day from 1 December right up until Christmas Eve, via the NORAD website.

On 24 December excited adults and kiddies can keep up with Santa's progress in real-time on the Google Maps website, in 3D on Google Earth or even on Google Maps for mobile - for Santa tracking on the go.

"Like most traditions, this one has evolved over time. Now, in addition to racing downstairs to their stockings, children can follow Santa online on his annual trip from the North Pole to their chimney," Brian McClendon, VP of engineering at Google Earth and Maps, wrote on the Google blog.

"With NORAD Tracks Santa, children and families can watch Santa as he delivers presents all over the globe (with a little help from the North American Aerospace Defense Command). If you haven't yet followed this tradition in your family, we'd like to invite you to join us this Christmas Eve."

The NORAD Santa tracking tradition began serendipitously in 1955 when a Sears department store ad placed in Colorado Springs newspaper featured a phone number that claimed to be a direct line to the big man himself.

Due to a printing error, calls actually went through to Colorado Springs' Continental Air Defense Command Centre - where, in true Christmas cheer, the colonel on duty that night instructed his staff to give each child that called a 'current location' for Santa.

Now the countdown is on again, and in the meantime the NORAD site features plenty of 'holiday games' to get kids psyched up, while Google+ users can click to follow NORAD Tracks Santa and join in the festive fun.

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