----------------------------------------------------------------- SearchReturn Discussion List "Understanding Internet Search Technology" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Moderator: Published by: Detlef Johnson SearchReturn http://www.searchreturn.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- March 23, 2006 SearchReturn Issue #048 ----------------------------------------------------------------- SEND POSTS: ----------------------------------------------------------------- Refer a friend: http://www.searchreturn.com/subscribe.shtml ----------------------------------------------------------------- .....IN THIS DIGEST..... // -- FEATURED POST -- // "Google Rankings Suit" ~ Jennifer Laycock // -- ESSENTIAL NEWS -- // "Offline Conversions" "Goodbye Zeal" ----------------------------------------------------------------- // -- FEATURED POST -- // ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Our US Constitution entitles people to freedom of speech. Are rankings in Google a constitutional right guaranteed by freedom of speech?" From: Jennifer Laycock I am so sick of this argument. A right to free speech does not also guarantee a right to an audience and especially does not guarantee the right to a *provided* audience. Why companies believe that Google, an autonomous company, owes them *anything* is beyond me. Can I sue a reviewer if they don't like my product? Can Chrysler sue J.D. Power and Associates for not awarding them the "Car of the Year" award every single year? Can every company that didn't win "Car of the Year" sue? If I stop all other forms of marketing because I'm doing great via word of mouth, can I sue my former customers when they stop recommending me? To pull a quote from my own diatribe on the issue... Makes me wonder if I should go start filing suit against the people that don't sing the praises of Search Engine Guide to everyone they know. After all, we'd be making a lot more money if everyone with Internet access told everyone else with Internet access to come and visit us. If they're not going to do that, we clearly need to take them to court to explain to them that our right to free speech means that they have to start promoting us. Think it'll work? -Jennifer Laycock Editor - Search Engine Guide ----------------------------------------------------------------- // -- ESSENTIAL NEWS -- // ----------------------------------------------------------------- ==> Offline Conversions http://www.searchreturn.com/digest/refs048.shtml Essentials: Media Metrix reports 63% offline conversions for sales that originated with search. The study was sponsored by Google, and a significant number of consumers and product categories were tracked so findings are accurate and compeling. There is inference that without a physical store, marketers may not be able to realize the additional conversions at the same rate as reported. It can still be concluded, however, that additional conversions are being made by email, fax or phone than are shown by analytics packages. This information comes at a time when the WSJ reports that online sales are increasing for larger items. According to Media Metrix: "A number of retailers have noticed a significant jump in online sales of big-ticket items, like refrigerators and treadmills. Furniture, appliances and other equipment rose 34% during the most recent pre-Christmas holiday period from a year earlier." BestBuy reported more than 40% growth over December 2004. Particularly strong, TV sales from its Web site grew three times as fast as TV sales in stores during 2005 over the previous year. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ==> Goodbye Zeal http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=67777 Essentials: For a short time, the Zeal Directory served as a backdoor to gain entry to Looksmart. Looksmart had long powered the first 15 results at MSN. After the Microsoft partnership ended, Looksmart quickly deflated in importance and has not yet recovered. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stay Tuned. Got feedback?: http://www.searchreturn.com/feedback.shtml Archives: http://www.searchreturn.com/digest-archive.shtml Alternate formats: http://www.searchreturn.com/info-formats.shtml Manage Subscriptions: http://www.searchreturn.com/help/manage-subs.shtml Problems unsubscribing? Contact the postmaster: mailto:postmaster@searchreturn.com Information on how to sponsor this publication: http://www.searchreturn.com/help/advertise.shtml Published by SearchReturn http://www.searchreturn.com Website Membership: http://www.searchreturn.com/register.shtml The contents of the digest do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SearchReturn or Detlef Johnson. SearchReturn and Detlef Johnson make no warranties, either expressed or implied, about the truth or accuracy of the contents of the SearchReturn Digest. Copyright 2006 Detlef Johnson. All Rights Reserved. -----------------------------------------------------------------