In the fight to protect searchers from Web sites serving malware or other harmful software, Google has partnered with StopBadware.org, a Cambridge-based organization dedicated to flagging such sites and informing the general population about their activities. While these sites will show up in Google's search listings, users will not be able to link directly to them - prompted instead to visit the StopBadware homepage to learn more. Some sites that got "bad-listed," didn't set out to be malicious, landing on the banned list because the ad network or ad server that they chose happened to be delivering tainted ads. …

Gord Hotchkiss' in-depth look at new eye tracking studies by Enquiro details how Google's Universal Search and iGoogle personalized search impact user behavior on a fundamental level. With blended search results, for example, users view the options in specific segments or "chunks," instead of scanning straight down the page and looking to the right when a particular headline sparks interest. Industry vets have pegged search personalization and the inclusion of images and video into the results as two developments that will change the future of search as we know it -- and Enquiro's first research into the theory …

Search marketers in the affiliate business may face even tougher times ahead - as their European partners could take advantage of a number of factors that will drag down their search results (and increase their average CPC). The dollar hit an all-time low compared to the euro, and given that two search engines dominate high-volume traffic in the U.S., international affiliates know where to go to snag more of the market share and consequently, cheaper American clicks.

While building quality links is an ongoing SEO task, it doesn't have to be monotonous! SEO Book serves up six quick tips for using social news sites and networks to increase inbound links to a page, including creating a polished story (or blog post) with supporting data and a timely news peg -- and getting the DIGGers, STUMBLERs and SPHINNers talking.

With the influx of people search engines (Spock, Wink, et all) all claiming to do something "better than Google" does, it was inevitable that a blogger or Webmaster set out to test their claims. In an informal review, Web Worker Daily puts Spock, SquidWho, WhoZat, and Wink to the test for the names of a well-known Web expert (Om Malik), the columnist himself (a bit less well-known), and his friend (relatively no Web presence) -- and finds that though each engine had its merits, none of them was an outright "Google-killer" that made "people search" simple, yet extensive.

Piggybacking on a WebmasterWorld forum thread, this short piece explains why some advertisers may have problems importing and exporting data for their Yahoo search marketing campaigns. It also explains why reporting any errors with as much detail as possible helps Yahoo tweak the software and craft a better experience for all advertisers.

In Web 2.0, is it necessary to use anchor text that tells readers to "click here" so that they can read more, jump to another page in a site, or otherwise complete some desired action? According to Brian Clark, being explicitly descriptive with anchor text on a page is key to improving site navigation, the user experience, and in some cases, even conversions -- and he includes some data from a recent Marketing Sherpa report to support his stance. But the ensuing debate in the comment trail provides a number of contrasting opinions -- raising the question of "click here" …

It's not just the FTC and privacy advocates like EPIC and USPIRG anymore. Google's proposed acquisition of DoubleClick will be subject to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee review next week, according to a WSJ Washington Wire blog post. It seems that Google's new in-house political lobbying team couldn't have come at a better time. David Utter expands on this issue in the WSJ post, listing possible attendees to the meeting, including execs from Microsoft and Yahoo -- and notes a curious connection between Google's new Gadget Ads and DoubleClick's DART already in the works.

Every day search pros have to analyze dozens of metrics, from usability numbers, to performance indicators like page rank, click-throughs, and unique visits, and of course, the all-important dollar signs that come from conversions or sales. It can be overwhelming -- especially for search newcomers, or Webmasters who are responsible for multiple sites, so this piece by Julie Mason provides a basic rationale for figuring out which stats warrant the most attention. Hint: There are only four, all intimately tied to the site's overall goal.

DazzlinDonna's got the scoop on SEO Vacancies, Ltd., a new search marketing-focused job board. Though the site is based in the UK, it features jobs from around the world. It's the newest pure search career board to spring up, as, according to founder Paul Griffiths: "Generally the online jobs market seems to be dominated by generalist or IT specific jobs boards and whilst you could argue that SEO/PPC is a niche of IT/New media -- it certainly is also an established, albeit new market in itself."