Microsoft Calling The Kettle Black

In Europe, Microsoft asked regulators to look into Google’s antitrust grounds. They are accusing Google of “trying to entrench its dominance on the web.” With Google moving into mobile, Google haters are claiming that this has halted competition.

According to Brad Smith, an executive with Microsoft, he stated that they are accusing Google of having “engaged in a broadening pattern of walling off access to content and data that competitors need to provide search results to consumers and to attract advertisers.” This is the first time that Microsoft formally alleges antitrust violation from a competitor.

The suit continues on with ways that search engines compete against each other with indexing and providing quality results, increasing advertising and distribution. According to Smith, “Google maintains a 95 percent share of the European market” as well as manipulates the algorithm to prevent competing websites from ranking in search results.

This will be very interesting to watch as Microsoft as this is the first time they are looking at it from another perspective.

New Facebook Functionality: Facebook Questions

Part of a series of rollouts that Facebook is making involves something that is, in my opinion, quite cool (but I haven't found anything online marketing that isn't cool). Currently in beta, Facebook is launching a tab called "Questions" which allows you to directly ask Yes/No questions on your page. Also by hovering over each question, you can see how many votes are for each answer. Here is how a question will look on your Wall:

Be sure you're logged into Facebook first and then go to http://www.facebook.com/questions . Once there you will be presented with a green button which will autoinstall the application into your account to then use.

What I like about this application are basically 2 things. 1) Extremely easy to install and 2) Increases the amount of interactions I will be able to have. Interactions = increased social media experience which will open up other doors like better search results in the future.

The Duel of Google + 1 and Facebook Like Button

Beginning today, search users can opt into the new Google Lab experiment, Google +1. Similar to the Facebook Like button, by selecting the +1 button, you give something your public affirmation. Google further explains, “Your +1's are public. They can appear in Google search results, on ads, and sites across the web. You'll always be able to see your own +1's in a new tab on your Google Profile, and if you want, you can share this tab with the world. It may take a while before you see the button in search results, and it may occasionally disappear as we make improvements.”

This is Google’s attempt to making itself more social. In essence, you are vouching to others something is worth checking out. I too joined the experiment today to learn more. I’m curious to see if this even stands a chance competing against the Facebook Like button. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into an experiment like Google Buzz. Let the duel begin!

Facebook Profile Image Tip

The typical Facebook page uses a square image of 180 x 180 for the profile image. However, the majority of companies are unaware that Facebook allows the profile image’s height to range in size. There are many benefits to adjusting the height of an image. For example, you can own more of the real estate on the left-hand side navigation and actually advertise within the profile image. But I do not think that’s the best reason to adjust the height of your profile image.

The number one reason to use a different height for your profile image would be for the benefits associated with the left-hand side navigation. For instance, if you go with an image size of 180 x 180, you will be able to include 8 links in your left navigation. If you increase the height of the image to 180 x 540, then the number of links displayed in the left navigation decreases. If you decrease the height of the image to 180 x 120, then the number of links displayed in the left navigation increases.

My recommendation - test your image size and get the most from your left-hand side navigation. If you only have a few links in your left navigation then use a longer image such as 180 x 540. If your left navigation is key to your Facebook page’s success and you have more than 8 links then use a shorter image such as 180 x 120.

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents Live Website Analysis: Improving the User Experience

Join Tim Ash, CEO of SiteTuners.com, and Margie Schneider, VP Operations of TenGoldenRules.com, as they present, “Live Website Analysis: Improving the User Experience.” This highly-anticipated presentation provides you with the opportunity to submit your website for a live website analysis.

This presentation will explain the following topics:

• How to adhere to web convention standards via live demonstration
• Actionable tactics to improve the user experience
• Recommendations for optimizing your website for the Search Engines
• Best Practices for overall website usability

Tim is the founder and chairperson of ConversionConference.com the first international conference series focused on improving online conversions. Tim is a contributing columnist to several publications including ClickZ, Website Magazine, DM News, Visibility Magazine, Search Marketing Standard, Search Engine Marketing Journal, and Electronic Retailer Online Strategies magazine.

Margie has been involved with the interactive medium since 1994. She has participated in everything the Internet has to offer: developing, designing and delivering web sites; online advertising and promotion; search engine marketing: SEO, PPC, community and electronic communication. Her specialties include: social media, search engine optimization SEO, PPC management, online reputation management, project management, personnel management, strategizing web development and design solutions; as well as experience marketing across all media types.

Want us to review how your website measures up to web standards? Submit your website for a Live Website Analysis! To submit your website, please join the Live Website Analysis Webinar Group, and post your website submission within the group. Visit the group here: http://bit.ly/WebsiteAnalysisGroup

This free webinar will take place Wednesday, April 6, 2011 12:30pmEDT – 1:30pmEDT. To register and for more information please visit: Live Website Analysis: Improving the User Experience

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents Build Your Network: Online and Offline Strategies

Join Jay Berkowitz, CEO of TenGoldenRules.com, as he presents our Wednesday Webinar, “Build Your Network: Online and Offline Strategies”. Learn all about how to successfully network and the tools you should employ to stay on people’s radars.

This presentation will explain the following topics:

• Why do we network? What are the benefits of it?
• Understanding how to get started with networking
• Useful tools for networking both face-to-face and online
• How to efficiently organize your database of contacts
• Give freely without expecting anything in return

This free webinar will take place Wednesday, March 30, 2011 12:30pmEDT – 1:30pmEDT. To register and for more information please visit: Build Your Network: Online and Offline Strategies

TrafficWave - OceanSwell TEAM Update (#70)

Is online MLM an investment?  Of course it is!  Take Global NPN for example.  Let's say (for example) that you earn $200.00 a month with your recurring affiliate sales.  That is $2,400 annually - pre-tax, of course.  To earn $2,400 annually from a conservative investment of savings - let's just say 5% - you would need to have accumulated almost $50,000 in cash. 

Think about that.

$200 a month in online income is roughly the same as having $50,000 invested in treasury bills.  THAT'S why online business is worth the time and effort.  You're creating your own pension!  To think of it another way... how long would it take you to save up $50,000 to invest?  Would it take a long time?  For most people, the answer is yes!  That's why it's so silly to complain about 'how long' it takes to create dependable, online cash flows.  You'll either do it or you won't.  But 'how long' it takes is relative to 'how long' it would take you to amass a cash fortune that could throw off interest income that you could live on.  At least, this is how I tend to look at it.  For example, I can earn close to $30.00 an hour in my work (depending on a number of factors).  My wife works too, and so we do alright.  In fact, we just moved into a bigger house.  But I've calculated that my online business activities pay around $3.00 and hour - that's right, about 1/10th of what I earn at my regular job.  So why do it, right?  Don't you ever ask yourself that question:  "Why the hell am I still doing this?"

It's because of the AWESOME long-term earning potential.  Remember, once your online cash-flows are up and running, they tend to stay there and grow!  What if you earned $1,000 a month online?  Again, that's the rough equivalent of having almost 1/4 MILLION ($250,000) invested in treasury bills.  Are you starting to see the light?

So my point today is to remind you of why you're in this business and the incredible power that the affiliate programs of both TrafficWave and Global NPN possess.  And despite anything you've heard or read, Team OceanSwell is here to stay and we are simply going to continue to function the way we've always functioned.  I may tweek the letters in the core AR series now and then (as well as our ads), but you are in the Rotator (these days, a revolving URL) so long as you are a member.  And that's a good investment in your future.  Never, never forget that!

As for February's $40.00 bonus recipient, that award goes out to Ms. Maria Melas (TW username 'Houstongreek').  Maria has been a Team Member for over a year and has been promoting very aggressively lately.  Congratulations, Maria!