Archive for the ‘Google’ Category

Google’s Old Tools Being Phased Out

Since Google has introduced the new Keyword Tool and Search based Keyword Tools, they have still allowed access to the old user interface; potentially to those who perhaps just haven’t had time to re adjust to the new features and functions of the re vamped Keyword Tool.

However, Google has said it will stop allowing access to its old Keyword Tool and Search-based Keyword Tool from the end of the month.

The firm has been running both the old tools and a new updated version alongside each other, but now says it is time to start the “final transition”.

The idea of running both new and old tools together alongside each other is so that Google could receive feedback from its end users in terms of understanding which features were used more than others and which features were not approved of so highly.

Additions to the Adwords tools include the ability to filter results by word or keyword match type, as well as a new warning sign when keywords have been duplicated. The new features are sure to be welcomed by PPC and SEO experts aiming to target relevant keywords and refine keyword lists.

Dan Friedman, Inside AdWords spokesman, said: “We’ve been working hard to meet our long-term goal to combine all the features you love from both the Keyword Tool and the Search-based Keyword Tool into one comprehensive tool.

“We think it’s the right time to begin this final transition since you can now find many of your favourite features from tools in the updated Keyword Tool.”

Calls for Naming and Shaming of Google Engineers

The search giant has, once again, caused controversy while photographing streets in the US, having formerly faced difficulty from European governments.

Thirty-eight states in America have come together to push Google over allegations it illegally collected private data from unsecured wireless networks while carrying out its research for the now infamous Google Street View.

The fresh development in the exploit has been a call to name the engineers who write the codes that encroached upon the wireless networks, according to a BBC news report. The union of states has also demanded to know whether or not Google tested the Wifi code previous to sending the Google fleet out for exploration.

“Google must come completely clean, fully explaining how this invasion of personal privacy happened and why,” Connecticut Attorney General and head of the alliance Richard Blumenthal said. “We are asking Google to identify specific people responsible for the snooping code and how Google was ignorant that this allowed the Street View cars to collect data broadcast over Wifi networks”

Mountain View has before had it out with Germany’s privacy officials, where it was made to turn over details collected from the networks, and has apologised on numerous occasions publicly for the “mistake”.

In this instance, Google said: “As we’ve said before, it was a mistake for us to include code in our software that gathered payload data, but we believe we did nothing illegal.”

However, the coalition seems heavily focused on finding out exactly how such a blunder could happen, whether or not that appeals to the search engine.

“We will take all suitable steps, including possible legal action if necessary, to obtain complete, comprehensive answers,” Blumenthal vowed.