1. Yahoo will switch to Inktomi as their primary web search results, early in 2004. Some time during the year, they will begin to offer "directory search" results again. Altavista's multimedia search will be integrated with Yahoo search. Web search usgae will decline at Yahoo, as their users get distracted by cool new online games and annoying "fly in" advertisements.
2. MSN will not roll out their own search engine in 2004. They'll continue to use Inktomi and Overture, both of which generate revenue. Microsoft's "focus on search technology" will first manifest itself in enterprise search products, and possibly not until the release of their next operating system, the "Longhorn" OS. They will recognize that the big problem isn't searching the web, it's searching your own network. When they do roll out their own search engine, it will be part of their master plan to have Microsoft Office replace HTML.
3. Google will continue to release new search products. These will be "visible" tabs, like the existing search offerings, but will also be seamlessly integrated into the primary search results. The Google API and Froogle will both finally come out of beta, but "Google Catalogs" will remain in beta testing until they finally drop it some time in 2007. Google will keep the same basic look and feel, but by year's end their users will be screaming for a better interface.
4. Localized search will finally begin to appear in more places, but advertisers and users will be disappointed with the results. In spite of early difficulties, advertising money will continue to flow into local search.
5.
SEO Research Labs' revenues will grow at over 10,000% in 2004, as more web designers incorporate search engine strategy into their work, and
SEO/SEM consultants all scream for "someone else" to do the tedious work of keyword research.
SEO Research Labs will leverage the upcoming Wordtracker API to offer "enhanced access" to Wordtracker. Wordtracker's revenues will soar, but nobody will actually use their website any more.
6. eBay will become a top product search portal as Americans finally learn to haggle, and "eBay optimization" will become the hot new specialization for
SEO/SEM consultants.
7. Google Print's successful launch will lead to a wave of keyword-stuffing in books, and the most common name for Chapter One of romance novels will be "breast, breasts | Chapter One Breasts"
Dan Thies,
SEO Research Labs
http://www.seoresearchlabs.com