This Week’s Industry News
Compiled By Rocket Clicks Staff

Topic Targeting On The Google Display Network

Contextual targeting on the Google Display Network utilizes specific keywords to show your ads to users reading web content relevant to your product or service. Google recently released contextual targeting through topic selection, allowing your ads to reach a wider range of potential customers.

There are over 1,750 topics and sub-topics to choose from, and using this new feature increases sale potential and brand awareness. Keyword and topic targeting can also be used together to maximize your exposure to potential customers reading relevant content.

Source: Google Inside AdWords Blog

AdWords New Ad Formats Initiative Rolls Out Media Ads

Through the AdWords New Ad Formats Initiative, Google has been focused on creating more relevant ads in different formats. Media Ads are the newest format to come out of the Google factory, and function very differently than Video Extensions.

Media Ads are a standalone format that places the video prominently on the page, and are automatically targeted (no keywords required). Media Ads are also charged as a flat rate, and show up in a Lightbox player when clicked. Google has also hinted that this new format will experience a few upgrades and changes over time.

Source: Google Inside AdWords Blog

Google Releases Page Speed Tool

Page Speed Online, a Google Labs project that audits a web site’s speed and provides recommended improvements, was recently unveiled by Google. The tool is fairly easy to use and understand, and can also analyze mobile web performance.

It’s well known that page loading time can affect impressions and conversions, and the Page Speed Online tool is a great place to start learning how businesses can increase those numbers through faster sites.

Source: Mashable

Google’s Answer To The Facebook ‘Like’ Button: The +1

Google recently introduced the +1 button, which allows users to suggest content directly on the search results page. The +1 button is very similar to the Facebook “Like” button, and can be utilized as long as you’re signed in with your Google account.

Source: Google Social Web Blog

New Geotargeted Tweets Will Soon Boost Twitter Ad Revenue

Twitter is in the beta testing phase of geotargeting Promoted Accounts and Promoted Tweets in specified metro regions of the United States. Twitter’s global ad revenue is estimated to hit around $250 million by 2012 with the implementation of geotargeted Tweet ads.

Source: Media Post

EBay Buys GSI Commerce

In the hopes of staying competitive with Amazon, EBay has recently acquired GSI Commerce, an e-commerce service company, for $2.4 billion. Some of GSI’s most notable clients include Major League Baseball, Sales, Timberland, and Mattel. GSI mainly specializes in order-management, fulfillment and shipping, all of which are strengths of Amazon, EBay’s main rival.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Amazon Cloud Drive Allows Remote Access To Media

Amazon has opened up its Cloud Drive, which offers subscribers the opportunity to store up to 5 GB of music, videos, photos, and documents (20 GB if they purchase an album from Amazon). These Internet storehouses are becoming more and more popular, as they are not susceptible to hard drive crashes and viruses that can erase personal computer hard drives.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Notable Commentary
Not From April Fools

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Typeface But Were Afraid To Ask

While most will agree that typeface has always been important, it appears that most designers tend to stick to their “bread and butter” or continue to recycle the same tired and trusted typeface on every project. Take a look at this article- the first in a series, that breaks down the basics of typeface and emphasizes the many ways that it can be used to define a project.

Analysis By: Cameron Chapman, Noupe

Beating The ‘Observer’ Effect

I’m sure you’ve come across results for a survey of some sort and thought-“people are answering these questions out of habit” or “they’re not even thinking about what they’re answering.” Maybe you’ve answered survey questions similarly. Take a look at this interesting study that offers a way to survey users that forces them to break their natural habits and have an immediate reaction to what’s in front of them.

Analysis By: John Sorflaten, Human Factors International

How To Stop Sending Your Clients To Ian Lurie

Have you ever got an angry phone call or email from a client complaining that the report that you just sent over was completely useless and a waste of their time and money? If so, you might want to check out Ian Lurie’s excellent report writing suggestions that should have your clients praising you for cutting through the raw data and producing the clear cut analysis that they are paying you for. If you don’t, you’re bound to have Lurie thanking you for adding to his client base.

Analysis By: Ian Lurie, Conversation Marketing

The Best April Fools Jokes From The Web’s Biggest Names

The Internet is a breeding ground for April Fools jokes, and Mashable was kind enough to compile a list of the best ones from Google, YouTube and the rest of their kin.

Analysis By: Stan Schroeder, Mashable