Tag Archives: Google Shopping

Google to Close Google Reader & 7 Other Products

By Kevin Chen, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

Technology constantly changes and some Google  products must make way for better initiatives. In its second announced “spring cleaning,” Google is bringing the total number of product and services closures to 70. Here is a quick rundown of the “to-close” products:

  1. started in 2005 as an alternative RSS reader and has attracted a loyal product following. Because usage has declined, Google will retire the product on July 1. Before then, users can export their data and subscriptions.
     
  2. Google Voice App for Blackberry will end next week. BlackBerry  can continue using Google Voice through Google’s HTML5 app, which is more secure and will receive updates. The HTML5 site is compatible with BlackBerry version 6 and later.
     
  3.  for Macintosh and Windows will no longer receive updates. Existing customers will continue to be able to download the software, and Google will still offer Snapseed mobile app on iOS and Android for free.
     
  4. Google Cloud Connect is a plug-in to help people work in the cloud by automatically saving Microsoft Office files from Windows PCs in Google Drive. The product will close April 30 as users can, instead, use Google Drive on the desktop. Google Drive works more effectively and across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
     
  5. Google Building Maker helped people to make three-dimensional building models for Google Earth and Maps. It will be retired on June 1, but users can access and export their models from the 3D Warehouse. 
     
  6. Apps Script will refocus efforts from GUI Builder and five UiApp widgets to better the HTML Service. The rest of the Ui Service will not be affected. The GUI Builder will continue to be available until Sept. 16. 
     
  7. CalDAV API will become available for whitelisted developers, and will be shut down for other developers on Sept. 16. 
     
  8. Search API for Shopping will shut down on Sept. 16. While Google believes in helping developers create shopping apps based on Google’s Product Search data, it’s shifting its focus on creating a better shopping experience for users through Google Shopping

The article Google to Close Google Reader & 7 Other Products originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Kevin Chen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Google. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Rakuten LinkShare Search Marketing Services Deliver Dramatic Results

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

Filed under:

Rakuten LinkShare Search Marketing Services Deliver Dramatic Results


Online Advertisers Reap Benefits of Higher Conversions, Lower CPC

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Rakuten LinkShare‘s search marketing division reported record-breaking client results for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Online advertisers working with Rakuten LinkShare’s paid search marketing services outperformed the industry average for click-through rate (CTR), cost-per-click (CPC), and return on ad spend (ROAS).

More specifically, Rakuten LinkShare search marketing clients saw the following results on average:

  • Click through rate (CTR) of 2.45% or nine percent higher than the industry average of 1.94%.1
  • Cost-per-click (CPC) of $0.44 or six percent lower than the industry average of $0.54.2
  • Return on ad spend (ROAS) of $9.30 or sixty percent higher than the industry average of $5.78.3
  • Conversion rate of 5.65% or 99% higher than the industry average conversion rate of 2.84%.4

In line with the industry, Rakuten LinkShare clients saw on average a twenty percent increase in sales transactions yet they achieved this year-over-year increase more efficiently and more cost effectively.

“Rakuten LinkShare has enabled us to achieve tremendous results in our search marketing campaigns which can be attributed to their balanced approach to service, technology and strategy,” said Neill Morris, director of online marketing, Murad, Inc. “They’ve also delivered when it comes to staying on top of the latest changes and innovations released by the search engines yet never lose sight of the fundamentals that a well optimized program can deliver.”

Search marketing is a high growth area that reached nearly $23 billion by the end of 2012.5 To accommodate the needs of advertisers, Rakuten LinkShare paid search services also include innovative campaigns for mobile paid search, YouTube advertising, Google Shopping, Google Product Listing Ads, and comparison-shopping engine management.

“While Rakuten LinkShare has been synonymous with performance marketing, we’re also seeing a growing demand for our search marketing and other services,” said Yaz Iida, chief executive officer, Rakuten LinkShare. “These dramatic results speak for themselves as more online advertisers rely on us to uncover new opportunities to …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance