• mobile Google Agrees To Disclose Hidden Costs Of 'Free' Ringtones by Wendy Davis

    The Florida Attorney General's office has convinced Google to require search marketers to disclose hidden costs associated with supposedly free ringtones. Now, a search for "free ringtones" on Google returns sponsored listings with headlines like "complimentary ringtones," but with copy that includes phrases like "ad-supported or $9.99/month." ...Read the whole story

  • search Yahoo Unveils PPC Video Ad Tool In Search Query by Laurie Sullivan

    Yahoo has been "quietly testing" the sponsored search tool Rich Ads In Search with a select number of national brand advertisers, according to Tim Mayer, Yahoo VP for search monetization and distribution. The advertisers--including Pedigree, Pepsi and Esurance--have seen click-through rates increase by as much as 25%. The pay-per-click (PPC) service for video ads appears to increase brand exposure and influence higher conversion rates, according to those who have been testing the tool. ...Read the whole story

  • ComScore: Online Sales Up In January, Concerns Linger by Mark Walsh

    E-commerce sales grew 2% in January compared to a year ago, offering online retailers a glimmer of hope after the unprecedented 3.5% fall-off in business during the holiday season, according to a new comScore survey. But other findings from the Web measurement firm's study were less reassuring, showing that concerns about a worsening economy and job security will continue to impinge on consumer spending. "It's clear that these economic conditions are affecting consumers in myriad ways," said comScore Chairman Gian Fulgoni, during a quarterly Webinar Thursday on the state of online retailing. "Savvy marketers need to stay on top of ... ...Read the whole story

  • social networks Privacy A Major Concern Among Web Surfers by Gavin O'Malley

    Following on the heels of Facebook's decision to rescind a highly controversial move to store all content posted on the social network, new data has emerged to support consumers' increasing alarm over online privacy. The vast majority--80.1%--of Web surfers are indeed concerned about the privacy of their personal information such as age, gender, income and Web-surfing habits, according to a survey of some 4,000 Web users administered and analyzed by Burst Media. ...Read the whole story

  • mobile MySpace CEO Bullish On Mobile by Mark Walsh

    After unveiling a revamped MySpace Mobile earlier this week, MySpace co-founder and CEO Chris DeWolfe said Thursday that the social network is looking into further mobile initiatives including portable playlists, location-based applications and mobile commerce. ...Read the whole story

  • WeddingBook.com Taps Online Travel Model by Laurie Sullivan

    WeddingBook.com is attempting to do for local wedding companies what online travel agencies did for local travel suppliers--increase exposure on the Web for free. The online destination designed to help people plan and price weddings launched this week. The company, founded by CEO John Dillon, has support from TripAdvisor founder and CEO Stephen Kaufer and Dan Saul, founder of SmarterTravel Media. ...Read the whole story

  • mobile Sprint Posts Q4 Loss, Loses 1.3 Million Subscribers by Mark Walsh

    Sprint Nextel continued to shed customers at a prodigious rate in the fourth quarter while posting a net loss of $1.6 billion, or 57 cents per share. Net operating revenue fell 4% from the third quarter to $8.4 billion mainly because of lower wireless revenue. ...Read the whole story

  • Appeals Court To Hear Arguments Over Webcast Of Downloading Trial by Wendy Davis

    An appellate court in Boston has stayed a trial judge's order authorizing a Webcast of the legal proceedings in the record industry's lawsuit against grad student Joel Tenenbaum. The First Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled oral argument on the issue for April 7. The appeals court also ruled that the trial court should not Webcast any hearings in the case until at least that date. ...Read the whole story

  • metrics April Looms: Tax Sites Get More Clicks by Gavin O'Malley

    As January marked the beginning of tax season, the tax category led as the top-gaining category among online properties during that month, according to comScore monthly analysis of U.S. consumer activity. The comScore Media Metrix service found that job search, government and travel-related sites also witnessed strong gains. ...Read the whole story

  • search Local.com Posts Earnings, CEO Is 'Bullish' For 2009 by Tanya Irwin

    Local search site and network Local.com Corp. reported its financial results Thursday for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the full year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and provided the company's 2009 outlook. "We are bullish for 2009, projecting approximately $50 million in overall revenue and a return to net income for the entire year," said Heath Clarke, Local.com chairman and CEO. ...Read the whole story

  • Death By Facebook by George Simpson

    Just when you were convinced that My Space and Facebook were turning your kids into anti-social, egocentric couch potatoes, along comes ... ...More

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