Semantics play a major role when it comes to companies connecting with site visitors. Baynote recently released a suite of online tools aimed at helping ecommerce marketers connect with consumers through adaptive landing pages and search insights that consider semantics. The tools aim to increase the number of visitors to a site based on connecting through these words that searchers might not have actually used. I'll explain.

Google made a move last week to block sites like Facebook from using its contact API when they refuse to provide reciprocal data. Some call the gesture symbolic, but the social graph that underpins the Web will become the gold to mine, not only for search engines but sites across the Internet. Now Google accuses Facebook of "siphoning" off its contact lists. So, unless the information flows both ways, the Mountain View, Calif., company says it will no longer allow services to automatically import its users' email contact data for their own purpose, though at one time it did.

Google may have invented the paid search format, but in 2010 that format continues to evolve. At Digg, paid search ads continue to become contextually and community driven. The ability to add a social twist to pay per click (PPC) ads puts a a new spin on two proven search advertising models. Imagine paid search ads began appearing in the line listing of Google's organic search engine results.

In a move straight out of a scientific espionage plot to hack into the world's resources through the underbelly of the Internet, hackers could use the search engineShodan to locate Internet-connected devices and steal information. The site can locate and identify vulnerabilities in system control equipment at gasoline refineries, power plants and other industrial facilities. And though I'm not a security expert, I wonder if consumer connected devices and advertising will someone get involved.

When it came time for Sergey Brin and Larry Page to consider a CEO to run Google, the duo initially wanted to offer Steve Jobs the position. That's according to the Bloomberg video profile "Bloomberg Game Changers: Sergey Brin & Larry Page."

Familiarity makes people feel comfortable -- whether using a software program or attending an event with friends. A familiar user interface is how hardware and software companies like Microsoft and Apple built a loyal customer base.

Blekko launched a public beta on Monday, but the real question becomes can it innovate past other startups to survive? The search engine, based on slashtags, offers built-in analytics and search engine optimization features. No one suggests the engine will reach the fame or come close to owning Google's more than 70% U.S. search share, but can it offer marketers something different and useful to improve campaigns?

Google made a move this week to help small businesses get found on its search engine. It began rolling out Place Search to combine local and organic listings on Google.com when searchers look for information around location. It aggregates results based on places, so searchers can compare information, but there are a few things SEO experts will want take notice of when optimizing Web sites for local search.

The search, advertising and marketing industries face a quandary. There's no doubt Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz remains in the hot seat as she attempts to turnaround a faltering company. While analysts have different views, a study HiveFire will release next week may shed insight into why Bartz strategy could pay off.

There are people who want badly to finance AOL CEO Tim Armstrong to buy Yahoo, Needham & Co. Analyst Laura Martin told OMMA Publish Entertainment conference attendees in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Leverage, however, is really difficult. Companies can't get more than five times their value.