BING & Kayak unite, Google’s Panda Update, Blackhat Link SPAM still in the SERP’s, Twitter #WINNING & More…
Headline: Microsoft owned Bing search engine & online travel giant Kayak.com form search partnership!
The Scoop: In 2009 Bing wanted to capture a bit of that online travel market for itself and in true Microsoft fashion the “if we can’t buy them, copy them – and still keep attempting to buy bits and pieces anyway” mantra rang true, true enough that Kayak publicly claimed BING Travel completely copied their look, feel and let’s face it, technology in their website.
Without going into even more specific detail about that crap, let’s just say BING and Kayak set aside their differences and in the sake of making a shitload of money decided to work together. HOORAY! For…them. It seems this is a bit more of a PR move for Kayak and their soon-to-be-IPO and potential retaliation against the Google/ITA deal (currently under MASSIVE lobbyist efforts and Gov scrutiny!) that could completely transform the online travel industry.
Let’s forget ITA licenses its data to most of the top aggregators (minus Expedia and Travelocity) and lets also forget that at one time Microsoft owned a large stake in Expedia, and just say…”why?”. My guess? Because MSN needs to beat Google at SOMETHING! Google, once it integrates ITA technology will be a powerhouse. Who needs to go to Kayak, or Orbitz or some other cheap flights company? Well…no one. That’s who. Google controls 70% of worldwide web searches (OK, fine, 90% in the UK) and BING needs to get a head start on this or it’s dead out of the gate.
I’m sure they’ll be moderately successful, and people will use it (just like they read their lame articles), but beat Google? Doubtful. Not if Google pushes their service on travel industry searches they won’t. Let’s just hope BING secured a deal a little bit better than 1/2 of $0.50 to $1.00/click 
Headline: Google update Farmer defeats content farms!
The Scoop: 1.No, no it didn’t, and 2. Quit listening to Mr. Sullivan and wait for Google to release the official name, Panda. Which is cute and not at all menacing…
Headline: There is no headline, sadly. It’s been a loud scream for about 3 years.
The Scoop: Without going all exposé on this, it’s painfully obvious Google only cares about SERP quality up until the point it affects their margins. You can PLAINLY see the use of blackhat link building on every major high volume search term. I don’t mean, a few shady industries like ph@rm, nooo, I mean EVERY INDUSTRY. Instead of rattling off industries, just use yours as an example. Can you even make it to page 3 without seeing at least 2 examples of link spam? No.
Never fear, help is on the way! Google understands the scourge of blackhat link building and has rallied its huge base of world class developers and after years, dare I say minutes of dev time has released this revolutionary tool to fight spam…that’s right, it’s a fucking comment form.
So, until Google really starts caring about Black Hat SEO tactics, I’m going to say something. This is ridiculous.
The Headline: Charlie Sheen goes crazy, and in the meantime breaks record for Twitter followers.
The Scoop: If you don’t think that this has anything to do with marketing, you’re crazier than he is. The man is a tour dé force of self-marketing and it’s apparent even without a future on 2 and Half Women he’s gonna be aiiiight. Turns out, he set a tiny record on Twitter all while rambling about future gigs, other people being completely retarded and pushing chocolate milk with a porn star. Turns out, even the great Mark Cuban has an angle with promoting Carlos Estevez – and who can blame him? He’s #WINNING and you aren’t.
