The research conducted by comScore found that the number of customers searching for contact information in relation to specific services or products has increased, with more people using smart phones to get access to the information they need. The services provided by Search Engine Optimisation companies have long been recognised as an important function in developing the presence of small and local businesses online, and with the increase in users reaching for their laptops or mobile phones in order to research services in their area, or obtaining contact information for local businesses via this medium, the opportunities for SEO within local markets is continuing to expand and develop, as are the services available to business owners.

For a while now the key search engine providers have recognised the importance of supporting smaller businesses.  Many search engine providers have facilitated the increase in this trend of looking up local companies or services online, providing businesses with the capability to post up to date content online and via mobile applications.  Following it’s launch just two years ago, Microsofts rebranded search facility Bing introduced the Business Portal beta in April 2011, which provides a platform for business owners to create and control their own listings online, and for free.  The service was launched in a bid to enable businesses to maximise their exposure in Bing’s search results listings, giving customers access to relevant, up to date content, in their search for local business data.

Once a user successfully completes the relevant security questions, the Bing Business Portal (BBP) can be updated with company information, photos, logos, and even information such as accepted payment methods and parking access.  The difference with the BBP is that owners can create promotions and special offers on Bing’s desktop and mobile applications, all of which can be accessed via searches conducted on Bing’s search facility, and it can all be done for free.

The information published on the portal is designed to improve the relevance and accuracy of listings in Bing’s search results, enhancing matches published, and benefitting local users looking for businesses in their area, or customers researching specific services.  The BBP also provides links to your website, Facebook pages and Twitter account, using SEO principles to increase web traffic to your site or webstore.

Related posts:

1. Latest Search Marketing Report for Local Businesses Sees Content as the Future for Generating New Business According to the latest SEO Edition of MarketingSherpa’s 2012 Local...
2. Top Click Media Reviews Search Engine Optimisation Report for Local Businesses Top Click Media Reviews Search Engine Optimisation for local businesses,...
3. UK Companies cut print advertising funds and increase investment in online marketing The world of advertising has undergone the biggest change in...

Despite the keenness of online competitors to engage the daily deal sites in negotiation, it seems that the providers are not taking advantage of this enthusiasm, with a number of firms being turned down when they are offering to enter in to partnerships. According to the news report, Google have already offered some of the key players in the deal industry up to six billion dollars to have a share in the activities, and been turned down.

In the meantime, the search engine giants have begun investigating the possibilities of the industry for themselves, adding in deal services to their site. Simultaneously, rumours have begun to circulate regarding potential acquisitions and new features.

When it comes to Microsoft’s Bing search engine, it seems that the company are already progressing well with developing their own deal solutions. Rather than creating a new set of products or services, the engine have teamed up with six of the best deal providers in the industry, including Groupon, Living Social, and The Dealmap. The aim is for Bing to operate as a distributor, taking commissions for enabling online searchers to locate the top coupons in their geographical region.
Features such as the Facebook ‘like’ function which Bing has incorporated looks set to support the daily deal industry to flourish for Microsoft, leaving their industry competitors in the shade when it comes to cashing in on this relatively new initiative.

Related posts:

1. Survey claims that search-engine marketing still remains strong The medium of search engine marketing, both SEO and pay-per-click...
2. Google and Microsoft at loggerheads over search returns Search engine giants Google have leveled an accusation at rivals...
3. Search Engine Marketing Tips Search engine marketing is a way for a company to...

Microsoft have vehemently denied any attempt to copy their rivals, suggesting that the accusation is simply a result of Google’s ‘spy-novelesque stunts’. While Google have now removed the fake pages which they planted to catch their rivals out, the company is adamant that Bing have violated the code of ethics surrounding search returns. A spokesperson for Google stated that Bing’s beahviour constituted cheating, and it was unethical. The issue originally came to light when Google spelling errors were replicated faithfully on Bing’s pages. Spokesperson Amit Singhal commented: “A search for ‘hiybbprqug’ on Bing returned a page about seating at a theatre in Los Angeles. As far as we know the only connection between the query and result is Google’s result page.”

“We noticed that URLs from Google search results would later appear in Bing with increasing frequency. Microsoft is gathering data on what people search for on Google, via either Internet Explorer or the Bing Search toolbar. Some Bing results increasingly look like an incomplete, stale version of Google results – a cheap imitation.”

Danny Sullivan, a search engine expert, stated: “On the one hand you could say it’s incredibly clever. Why not mine what people are selecting as the top results on Google as a signal? Every search engine has its own ‘search voice’, a unique set of search results that it provides, based on its collection of documents and its own particular method of ranking those. I think Bing should develop its own search voice without using Google’s as a tuning fork.”

“Wider issues include how Google went about setting up its honeypot trap to ensnare Bing, and whether it was just a clever way to distract from current discussions about its search quality. Do Internet Explorer users know that they might be helping Bing in the way Google alleges? Technically, yes. Explicitly, absolutely not.”

Related posts:

1. Microsoft Infuriated by Google Panda Update Last week Google was forced to defend it’s ‘Panda’ update,...
2. Adwords test caught on Google site Search engine giants Google have been rumbled in what appears...
3. Bing’s Shopping Tool showing progress… Apparently Bing Shopping, the product comparison tool that makes up part...

The recent gains made by Microsoft in the search engine market will have given them a much needed boost before the announcement of the makeover. The new look Bing search will be looking to help its users complete their tasks more quickly and efficiently.

At a recent search engine strategies conference in New York Microsoft gave an early look at some of the planned changes. Since its launch, Microsoft have updated Bing a number of times, changing the design and connectivity of the search engine, but this latest revamp will be the most significant yet.

One of the most visible changes is the re-location of the ‘Quick Tabs’ from the left hand side of the screen to a new slot at the top of the page that will create an easier to use one click system.

Microsoft have also added ‘FourSquare’ location based social networking information to the also recently added maps App located in Bing Maps, this is believed to work in a similar fashion to Twitter’s new geo-location software.

Microsoft’s overall aim in this spring clean of Bing is to deliver more functionality to the search engine, they will be incorporating real-time data which will be made available via their partnership with Twitter (also announced this month.)

This recent update underlines Microsoft’s intentions and it does not look as though they are set to stop there, they announced that more updates are planned for spring.

Related posts:

1. Is Google really worried about Bing? Recent press reports – notably the New York Post’s ‘Fear...
2. Caffeine Catching on All week we’ve been talking about Caffeine and how it’s...
3. Bing’s Shopping Tool showing progress… Apparently Bing Shopping, the product comparison tool that makes up part...

Firstly, you have to consider the kind of money that Microsoft is pouring into Bing at the minute. The world’s biggest software company are notorious for very aggressive marketing, that kind of a push is going to lead to a spike in anyone’s numbers.

Secondly, the numbers of Bing users are still so low in comparison to the number of overall Internet users that an increase of 169% on one individual part of the system, whilst impressive, is not exactly worth what it might appear at first glance.

And finally, I don’t want to say that I don’t trust statistics from Microsoft but… Well, actually, no I don’t trust statistics from Microsoft. The final straw for me was when it was reported that Bing was clicking on its own ads, thereby polluting advertisers’ stats. It’s even possible that these Bing figures are the result of something similar.

Related posts:

1. Is Google really worried about Bing? Recent press reports – notably the New York Post’s ‘Fear...
2. Bing to get spring makeover Microsoft’s unrelenting desire to give Google a real run for...
3. Microsoft Clicking on its own Ads A webmaster working on Microsoft Bing has admitted to SE...

Sounds unlikely doesn’t it – this is why Sergey Brin may just have handed Microsoft the biggest PR win they’ve had in many years, by appearing so worried about the new offering from the company. According to the Post and others, Brin is leading a special group of technicians to find out how the Bing algorithm differs from Google’s and figure out a way to undermine it.

It’s apparently quite rare for the Google founders to get so involved in day to day operations, leading many to believe that Bing either poses some threat or offers some kind of significant advantage over Google. The Post has an unnamed source stating, “New search engines have come and gone in the past 10 years, but Bing seems to be of particular interest to Sergey.”

Perhaps what has Brin worried is nothing to do with the search engine itself, rather the $80 – $100 million dollars that Microsoft is planning to spend on advertising Bing in the coming months. Google’s budget is dwarfed in comparison at a relatively anaemic $25 million for the whole company. The Google founder could simply be looking for a way to figure out what claims their rivals are going to make and prepare a response.

The arrival of Bing has already given Microsoft a bump in numbers from 9.1 to 11.1 on the week of launch though this was to be expected. As the politicians like to say, even a dead cat bounces. The trick will be keeping these new novelty-inspired users.

Related posts:

1. Bing to get spring makeover Microsoft’s unrelenting desire to give Google a real run for...
2. Bing’s Shopping Tool showing progress… Apparently Bing Shopping, the product comparison tool that makes up part...
3. Is Google worried about Twitter? The explosion of Twitter usage this year has taken many...