During his speech at the Forbes shindig I attended, Geoff Ramsey, CEO of eMarketer’s funniest remark was when he told us that the “Fear of Google” was so prevelent that it even had a three-letter acronymn: FOG.
Anyway, I’ve been hearing more and more about FOG all weekend as I talk with advertising and marketing executives from some of the world’s biggest companies. Here’s a few examples:
Google Tests Gadget Ads
Google is testing a program to put ads in Google Gadgets on websites. The Gadget would basically be a non-traditional ad unit, one with interactive parts as opposed to a pitch and a link.
English Premier League Sues YouTube, Google
YouTube was already being sued by a proverbial giant in the form of Viacom. Now some flesh-and-blood tough guys want a shot: YouTube (and its “corporate parent,” Google) is facing a lawsuit from the Football Association Premier League.
Google Reader Gains Ties To Gmail
Google Reader is taking another step forward, and it’s holding Gmail’s hand as it does so. Thanks to a new feature, users can now “share something you find in Reader with someone who doesn’t use a feed reader at all.”
Google, VW Become Partners In Crime
Google and Volkswagen have been pals for over a year, but that once-pure relationship appears to have recently devolved into a criminal partnership. It turns out that the Volkswagen home page – which is powered by a Google Search Appliance, and was also recently featured in the Google Enterprise Blog – contains some hidden text.
Has Google Created A Monster?
The Google vs. MSN Rock Em Sock Em fight provides an interesting juxtaposition. In an outcome that seems surreal, like when Tyson took a bite out of Holyfield, Google has taken so much out of Microsoft in the online arena that folks are starting to wonder if it’s a fair fight.
Rock Em Sock Em: MSN Versus Google
We know you’ve been waiting minutes, hours, and even days for the release of the Rock Em Sock Em Robot’s Fight from the SES conference. You can all rest better now because the much-anticipated rumble is up and ready for your enjoyment. Only Murdok was there to bring you exclusive coverage of this event to find out which search engine is truly best.
Google Board Votes Down Proposal Against Censorship
Recently, a number of groups that own shares in Google put forth a shareholder proposal that would require Google to resist government censorship efforts, and to notify users when consorship had occured despite Google’s best efforts. Wenesday, Google’s board of directors issued a recommendation that the proposal be voted down, ensuring the proposal will never have a chance, since the big three of Page, Brin and Schmidt hold 66.2% of all voting power.
Google Mentioned As Dow Jones Suitor
News Corp’s hostile $5 billion offer for publisher Dow Jones may spur a bidding war, and Google’s name has been invoked alongside other potential bidders.
Google’s Love Affair with Wikipedia
Much has been said about Google algorithmic favoritism for Wikipedia. I was working on a project this weekend about celebrities, and wikipedia’s dominance in the SERP’s was nothing less than astounding.