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Google realtime searchOn June 25th 2009 the game changed for Google. Without warning and perhaps for the first time in years Google was not the authority search platform for breaking news. On June 25th 2009 Michael Jackson died and Google had nothing to say about it. All of the breaking gossip and news was sweeping the world in a matter of seconds and minutes via social media platforms Twitter and Facebook. The search giant was eclipsed.

So in December 2009 Google changed their algorithms and harnessed the power of their competitors by launching realtime social media search results.  These results were included among all other results in the standard search.   Now Google Realtime Search has it’s own homepage and three new features have been thrown into the mix: Google Alerts for realtime updates, an expandable conversation view, and geographical location refinements.

Realtime search constantly updates enabling you to see second by second latest comments from social media sites (and everywhere else) on what ever keywords you are searching. Type in Paris Hilton today and you’ll get a constant stream of comments on her latest drug bust.

  • Realtime Google alerts enable you to receive updates to your email inbox either in realtime, daily or weekly. You can even search historical data by drilling down through a time line, especially handy to reveal when interest in certain topics spike.
  • Custom Location refinements enable you to see updates from specific geographical locations.
  • Full Conversation view enables you to see the entire thread of a conversation from it’s origins to it’s end including all the dialogue and banter between the individuals involved.

This is a very useful search feature Google has delivered to answer their social media search competition, but how does it benefit you and how can it affect your online business? Further more what sorts of marketing trends may emerge as a result of this feature?

Here’s a quick list of the ways I see Google Realtime search can be of benefit to you and your growing internet business.

1. Harness breaking or topical news to increase your readership and improve your Search Engine Optimisation

The internet community globally has become a sensitive, cohesive and responsive organism. News of events ripple across the globe in moments and hot conversations erupt like volcanoes and then slowly subside. As a business owner with an internet presence you can take advantage of these eruptions. Cleverly integrating hot topics into your content can increase your readership and improve your SEO ranking. But a word of  warning, don’t try integrating a hot topic into your blog if it bares no relationship to your usual content or cannot be logically tied together, you’ll only annoy people and make them feel tricked. Not a great way to attract repeat visits.

2. Scan trending topics to launch viral marketing campaigns

Big marketing companies already commonly use trending topics to launch advertising campaigns in particular areas. For example if the world cup football is on or the winter Olympics are in full swing, you can bet you’ll see at least one or several advertising campaigns launched by KFC, Hungry Jacks, McDonald’s, Coke or Pepsi with a theme based on the popular sporting event. However you don’t have to be a mega-corp to take advantage of this. Using Google RealTime Search you too can see trending topics unfold in certain areas, so why not target your advertising around these trends to launch some viral marketing for your site. The exact nature of  ‘viral marketing’ deserves further explanation so I’ll cover this more in another post.

3. Improve your own business performance by analysing your reach

Real time search enables you to instantly get feedback on what you are putting out there. See if you can get a conversation going. Start a ripple, start a wave. If you have a blogger site then you’re in luck because Google have also now given blogger accounts realtime google analytics. This realtime analysis is useful if you have a product launch or you are creating a pre-launch buzz. Through realtime search you can track where and when your launch is picking up momentum.

Listen to Google’s  Dylan Casey and Lynn Chan explain the features and benefits of Google realtime below.



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Filed under: Blogging • Google • Home Business • Internet Marketing • Online Marketing • SEO Search Engine Optimisation

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