Posts tagged google

If you are more comfortable with a three-pane layout of your desktop e-mail client, you’re going to dig this. Google just released a new Labs feature called “Preview Pane” which allows you to view and reply to e-mails while navigating your inbox. Gmail users can enable this feature by visiting Labs from the Mail Settings icon in the upper righthand corner of your mail screen. 

If you are more comfortable with a three-pane layout of your desktop e-mail client, you’re going to dig this. Google just released a new Labs feature called “Preview Pane” which allows you to view and reply to e-mails while navigating your inbox.

Gmail users can enable this feature by visiting Labs from the Mail Settings icon in the upper righthand corner of your mail screen. 

Using Google+ Circles

Online social platforms attempt to force us to map our ever-changing social graph. Google+ uses “circles”, which makes dragging and dropping our connections into animated buckets – dare I say – fun.

Here are some reasons why and how you should use Google+ Circles:

PRIVACY is a key use of putting people in custom circles with appropriate settings to avoid viewing by outsiders. If you are like me, you’re only comfortable with certain people seeing what you’re talking about and sharing. (Now if I can only get my connections to understand that sonograms of the unborn embryos inside them is a private, family topic)

Similar to those thoughts on privacy, RELEVANCY is important if you want to maintain your online connections.  I’m sure that my mother doesn’t care to know that email open rates are dropping year over year, but my online marketing geek friends do. Consider what kind of content you put out and ensure that posts are visible to those circles.

Taking relevancy a step further, some communications require LOCAL CONTEXT and shouldn’t be pushed to the masses.  Consider a “Locals” circle for posts like “Has anyone tried the new restaurant on Main Street?”

An important thing to note is that these tips aren’t only for Google+ users. While it isn’t highly visible, Facebook also has a “lists” feature that does basically the same thing as circles. Unfortunately it is buried in your privacy settings and not many people use this valuable feature.

I’m just getting familiar with Google+ myself, so expect more observations and tips as I dig in.

Google+ field trial Should I feel special knowing that Google+ is growing by a million users per day? Are you on Google+? What do you think?

Google+ field trial

Should I feel special knowing that Google+ is growing by a million users per day? Are you on Google+? What do you think?

Facebook attempts to increase usage (and page views) by stealing inventory from search engines, which typically own users default home page setting.

Facebook attempts to increase usage (and page views) by stealing inventory from search engines, which typically own users default home page setting.

3 Google Labs experimental services worth checking out

Google Fast Flip

Get quick snapshots of controversial, recent and popular articles from top news websites. One click - or one swipe - and the next content piece is served up in an instant. Customize what you want to see within their very minimalistic design. Great for researchers and writers and anyone who is concerned about what’s happening in the world.

Google Scribe

Google Scribe auto-suggests words and phrases that are compatible with your sentence structure. It is a great tool to help speed up the writing process and plow through writers block.

Google Shared Spaces

I haven’t used this service yet, but it looks interesting. Shared Spaces basically brings people together to collaborate on projects. It seems easy to use and has lots of gadgets (or widgets) to choose from- like polls to mind maps.

Yahoo is rolling out new features to their search engine results page (SERP) that they hope will reverse their long-term losses in market share and will help them keep up with recent upgrades by Google and Microsoft.

Yahoo is rolling out new features to their search engine results page (SERP) that they hope will reverse their long-term losses in market share and will help them keep up with recent upgrades by Google and Microsoft.

The Wall Street Journal

Google FAIL page

Google FAIL page

How to opt-out of Google Ad targeting based on your interests and demographics As you may or may not be aware, many online advertising networks target you based on sites you have recently visited and data they can glean from how you surf the web. Some people find it useful to see ads customized for them, some people find it invasive. Either way, you have a choice and can remove the data stored in your browser used to track your behavior and serve you ads.

How to opt-out of Google Ad targeting based on your interests and demographics

As you may or may not be aware, many online advertising networks target you based on sites you have recently visited and data they can glean from how you surf the web. Some people find it useful to see ads customized for them, some people find it invasive. Either way, you have a choice and can remove the data stored in your browser used to track your behavior and serve you ads.

Google Search Finally Going Fully Social With Shared Twitter Links And Even Quora Data

New York Times breaks Libyan riots in Benghazi story - WSJ follows as Twitter works the ground. Looking at the timeline of news articles on Google news Search Results Page (SERP) shows who’s truly breaking news. (unless you turn to twitter for up-to-the-minute updates, including the locations of tomorrow’s protests.)

New York Times breaks Libyan riots in Benghazi story - WSJ follows as Twitter works the ground.

Looking at the timeline of news articles on Google news Search Results Page (SERP) shows who’s truly breaking news. (unless you turn to twitter for up-to-the-minute updates, including the locations of tomorrow’s protests.)