Online advertising, specifically around search marketing using Google SEO or AdWords hasn’t really taken off here in New Zealand. We’re years behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to promoting ourselves online using Google*. New Zealand’s still in “Kindergarten” as an Auzzie SEO specialist remarked to me recently.  I think he’s wrong. Playcentre is as closer analogy.

Anyway, that aside, it seems that in the future your website search results, including AdWords advertising could be under threat. Not so much it’s use or popularity, but more the lack of control website owners and advertisers will have over their own profile and online advertising efforts. 

An extension of a free bookmarking plugin for your web browser from Xmarks allows anyone to rate your website offerings or pay-per-click ads. The technology still needs fine tuning, however because it’s done within the browser and not on the Google search page, there’s little Google, Bing or the advertiser can do about it.

It’s the ultimate business product/service rating tool for consumers.

Is this a good or bad thing? I tend to think it good as far as consumers are concerned and good for small businesses with a good reputation. But it’s another nail in traditional marketers coffins – The one thing Corporates hate when it comes to online, is the loss of control over their brand, reputation or sales pitch.

Actually it does appear to fit in with what Google themselves are starting to provide with their own Google hotpot service which is a good idea, but has started slowly. XMarks idea is likely a better system for consumers.

Ref article: www.chiefmartec.com/search-marketing/

*  The activity around search marketing has been intense for many years in the US. A Direct Magazine article in 2006 touched upon it, stating then it being the top lead generation toolset. Our own studies indicate most NZ businesses are 6-8 years behind the US market in their adoption of search marketing strategies to grow their customer base..

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