Google has had a busy month - do they ever not? When they're not serving up a gazillion web search queries, they're doing cool things with their other products and services. Here's a round up of notable Google news from the last few weeks, compiled from the too many Google blogs I subscribe too.
Google AdWords Agency Blog: Google product info at your fingertips - April 8th
Here's a great reference guide to Google Products - this handy PDF is accurately described as a "one-stop shop for brief descriptions and benefits of relevant Google products". Includes links and advertising applicability for products and services like Google Earth and Maps, Gmail, Picasa, YouTube, and Google Groups and Docs.
Google Analytics Blog: Graduation Day for Website Optimizer and Urchin Software! - April 18th
The Google Website Optimizer is now a standalone Google product (formerly an AdWords feature). What's a Google Website Optimizer? It's a "free website testing and optimization tool"...which " allows you to increase the value of your existing websites and traffic without spending a cent." Not bad. Check it out at www.google.com/websiteoptimizer and get the latest news on the Optimizer Blog
Google Lat Long Blog: Dynamic data in Google Earth - April 18th
Google Earth is now at version 4.3, and the latest release allows for some cool new viewing features like switching from Day to Night, and adding Clouds and Weather. Business applications? It's a stretch, but with the Pro version you could record a movie of the sun rising and setting over your town or community. If you've got nice 3-D mountain terrain in the background, it's pretty cool. Google Earth / Download Earth 4.3
Official Gmail Blog: 9 reasons to archive - April 18th
Archiving your Gmail (or email in any program for that matter) can lead to better organization, time saved, and better overall communication. Need some specific reasons why you should archive? This blog post gives you nine, including #2 "Becuase You Can: clean inbox = clean mind." I agree Gmail blog.
Google Webmaster Central Blog:
Always lots of great reading on Webmaster Central - here's three posts that are interesting, and useful:
April 14th - Webmaster tips for creating accessible, crawlable sites
April 16th - Best practices when moving your site
April 23rd - Where in the world is your site
The Official Google Blog: What makes a design "Googley"? - April 23
Read this post - but here's the 10 things that make for a Googley design - and really, I think Good Design:
1. Focus on people-their lives, their work, their dreams.
2. Every millisecond counts.
3. Simplicity is powerful.
4. Engage beginners and attract experts.
5. Dare to innovate.
6. Design for the world.
7. Plan for today's and tomorrow's business.
8. Delight the eye without distracting the mind.
9. Be worthy of people's trust.
10. Add a human touch.
I love #1, #3 and #10.
If this is what Google wants, I say give it. On your web site, on your blog, the photos you take and share, the maps you create, the videos you produce. Everything is worth of good design.
And don't forget to submit your web site URL to Google, and then ping Google Blog Search when you've got a new post to index.
Which reminds me...
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