Mike Blumenthal

Yahoo’s Kay Skeptical about Local Verticals from the LocalOnliner.com Building a Better Database: Getting Harder All the Time from the Kelsey Group about the difficulties of assembling local data.

Google announces AdSense for Mobile – As part of our ongoing efforts to develop new ways for users to find the information they need anytime and anywhere, Google announced today the availability of AdSenseâ„¢ for Mobile, a program that contextually targets ads to mobile website content. AdSense for Mobile also allows AdSense publishing partners the …

GPhone Update: “Not in the Works” From Local Mobile Search: Like the rest of us, Google knows that the biggest opportunities for e-commerce and Web 2.0 lie in mobile computing and mobile applications. Overcoming the shortcomings of low-end wireless phones, less than optimal wireless data speeds and strictures applied by a community mobile network operators …

The Power of Branding by Greg Linden summarizes a small sample study that quantifies the value of branding in search. This applies equally well to local. Prostitutes Turn to Craigslist, Law Takes Notice (NY times) – Can this type of local marketing be that far in the future for Yahoo or Google? It certainly indicates …

In Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, Russell Adams reports on the increased use of wireless devices of all stripes at Major League Baseball games (and other professional sports venues) for viewing stats, instant replays, ordering food and participating in game time promotions. At some venues wireless devices can be rented for $25 per event. The Mariners …

Yahoo Maps Get A Makeover by Greg Sterling at Sel.

Today I received a communication from a reader reporting that he was surprised that his organic “long tale search using local phrases” (i.e. service + locationpage optimization) were still producing solid results for hist website. He said “Actually surprised me.  I figured the one box would have a more dampening effect……and it may have…but this …

Here are some recent announcements that have not been covered widely that I found of interest: NavTeq goes 3-D Summize: Enhancing Search With Heatmaps Maps as art and politics (nothing to do with local search per se but interesting none the less)