By David A. Utter

Almost as many suggestions exist on how Google could spend its $10 billion cash pile as there are dollars in that cash pile.

CNNMoney asked of Google, “What kind of downpour do you expect?” A Google spokesperson offered a lengthy insight into the search advertising company’s plans…well, actually, the company declined to comment.

Analysts cited in the report suggested several options for Google and that tempting string of zeroes trailing after a one. Buy small, interesting companies. Expand into social networking. Grab a travel company. Extend further into Asia. Acquire a cable or telecom company. Pay a dividend.

WNW Design are pleased to announce the launch of Bay Associates Independent Financial Advisers’ new website.
Bay IFA have offices in Exmouth and Honiton, but also work with a network of advisers that cover the entire South West of England. They offer experienced advice and in-depth information on aspects of finances, including corporate, personal, future-planning and investments.

With information on equity release, pension annuity, investing and saving, their website gives a good introduction to the help they can offer. Their news page will be regularly updated with the most recent financial happenings, and Bay IFA can be contacted through their contact page.

By Jim Hedger, StepForth News Editor, StepForth Placement Inc.

Google is without a doubt the world’s number one search engine. According to the research firm Neilsen/NetRatings, Google’s share of the global search market in February 2006 was 48.5%, more than double the 22.5% share its nearest rival Yahoo saw. Having been the engine of choice for nearly five years, Google is synonymous with search. Because Google is the first thing most folks think of when they think about search, it is the most important search marketing venue, at least for the vast majority of SEOs.

By Rodney Ringler

Have you noticed anything different with Google lately? The Webmaster community certainly has, and if recent talk on several search engine optimization (SEO) forums is an indicator, Webmasters are very frustrated. For approximately two years Google has introduced a series of algorithm and filter changes that have led to unpredictable search engine results, and many clean (non-spam) websites have been dropped from the rankings. Google updates used to be monthly, and then quarterly. Now with so many servers, there seems to be several different search engine results rolling through the servers at any time during a quarter. Part of this is the recent Big Daddy update, which is a Google infrastructure update as much as an algorithm update. We believe Big Daddy is using a 64 bit architecture. Pages seem to go from a first page ranking to a spot on the 100th page, or worse yet to the Supplemental index. Google algorithm changes started in November 2003 with the Florida update, which now ranks as a legendary event in the Webmaster community. Then came updates named Austin, Brandy, Bourbon, and Jagger. Now we are dealing with the BigDaddy!

By Jim Hedger, StepForth News Editor,
StepForth Placement Inc.

The wizards of Redmond turn thirty this year. Officially founded in 1976, Microsoft appears to have lost its edge as it enters its third full decade. At one time, not so long ago, Gates and Co. drove the machine, setting standards that everyone else conformed to. Virtually nothing could stand in their way and competitors who did seriously threaten their dominance could be effectively diminished in one way or another.

Searching for Edina Realty on Google returns a top-of-the-page sponsored link run by TheMLSonline.com, and Edina Realty has sued the advertiser over use of its trademark.

Even though the lawsuit involved Google and keywords, for once no one has shown up at the Googleplex bearing warm greetings and a stone-cold subpoena. In Edina Realty, Inc. v. TheMLSonline.com, Marquette law professor Eric Goldman has blogged that the case equates keyword purchases to trademark infringement.

“That’s what makes this case significant. I think this is the first case substantively analyzing a purchaser’s liability for buying a competitor’s keyword,” he wrote in his post.