This week, we celebrate the 100th issue of the Search Engine Ranking Facts newsletter. We wish to thank you, our cherished reader, for your continuing support, without which this newsletter would not have been possible.

In the news: Yahoo adds a new feature to its toolbar that's similar to the PageRank bar in Google's toolbar, MSN announces its new search engine for July, Google goes local and much more.

Table of contents:

• Facts of the week
• Search engine news of the week
• Articles of the week
• Recommended resources
• Previous articles

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Yahoo releases a new WebRank feature with its next toolbar version

Web Rank is a function which determines a rank of a page, in a scale of 10, using the data collected from the companion toolbar. The new feature seems to be a combination of Alexa's ranking system and Google's PageRank bar.

Google expands search services with Google Local

"Google has integrated a new search service into Google.com with the launch of Google Local. It allows users to search online for sources of local information drawing information from Google, including local business listings, maps and useful web pages. The service has been launched in the US with plans to roll out the technology to the UK although no timescale is confirmed."

Editors note: To add your business listing send an email to local-listings@google.com.

Microsoft's MSN plans new search engine in July

"Microsoft Corp. said [...] that a new engine for its MSN Search service will start up in July, another step in its plan to challenge Google's pole position as the Web's top search destination. [...]

[MSN product manager] Redetzki said MSN will list three paid listings at the top of every search result, of which at least two will be advertisements sold directly by MSN."

Yahoo! betas new news search

"Yahoo! leverages its recently-launched algorithmic Web search in a new version of News Search, now in beta testing.

The portal player now combines data from its Yahoo! News section, which consists of headlines and stories fed by partners, with news its crawler finds on the Web."

Kanoodle.com battling Google for contextual ads

"The executives from Sprinks Inc., which Google bought in October, are renewing their competition in the market for contextual ads now that they have joined smaller paid-search provider Kanoodle.com Inc."

MSN Demarcates paid, organic search; Google tweaks AdSense

"MSN unveiled plans to clearly distinguish paid ads from organic search results as of July 1 and Google trumpeted enhancements to AdSense making it easier for publishers to measure ad performance."

Search engine newslets

• Google to find place for Orkut network in search

In Google many trust (too much)

"But all that Googles is not gold. Just ask Shamoon Rafiq's alleged victims. [...]

Increasingly, however, people are relying too heavily on Google. They're missing the bigger picture and concentrating only on the information provided by one source. It's as if a democracy has been replaced by a demigod."

Feds arrest alleged Google extortionist

"The U.S. Secret Service has arrested and charged a Southern California man for allegedly creating software code to register fraudulent clicks on Google's AdSense program and attempting to extort money from the search giant."

All eyes on Google

"People didn't Yahoo anybody - they Googled. And for the folks at Yahoo, that could not stand. [...] It cost more than a billion dollars - most of it buying technology - but Yahoo is now making its bid to be a Google buster."

Inclusion and its discontents

"Yahoo! announced its Site Match program at Search Engine Strategies a few weeks ago and the effect was... seismic. [...] What Yahoo should do -- immediately -- is put controls in place that will either change the system or provide consumers and site owners with confidence Yahoo's algorithm is protected from any concerns."

Accountant 'googles' himself, sues for libel

"A South Bay accountant who said an Internet search engine returned 'alarming' information about him and his firm sued Google, AOL, Time Warner and Yahoo! Friday for libel."

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• Yahoo Site Match - Does it work for your web site?
• The most important search sites for your web site success
• Why Jim didn't make profit with his Internet business, part 2
• The new Yahoo search engine and what it means to your web site
• Why Jim didn't make profit with his Internet business
• The new anti-spam law and linking campaigns
• How to maximize your linking campaign
• View all past issues...