Google's SearchWiki announcement promises to democratize search and affect how SMBs view search engine optimization and social networking.Google's SearchWiki tools are already generating an awful lot of buzz on the
Internet, but can this new functionality benefit the midmarket business owner?
Yes, in many ways, said John Fairley, a senior account manager for Walker Sands
Communications, a marketing communications company.
"In the short term, it's important to [small and midsize businesses]
because it's going to have a lot of buzz and allows you to be at the forefront
of social media," Fairley said. "If you get in early, there's first-mover
advantage, which allows your company a way to get in and figure out how to
understand it before your competitors do."
Google SearchWiki gives users signed into their Google accounts the ability to
add, remove and rearrange search results as they appear. The tools also allow
users to add notes that will always appear when that search result appears, and
to see other users' notes on search results.
Click
here to read about what Google gets out of SearchWiki.
The SearchWiki function also represents another nail in the coffin for small
companies with the mentality that consumer feedback, particularly Web-based
feedback, is undesirable. "This represents an opportunity for businesses
to get closer to their customers," Fairley said. "Not only should you
see this as a chance to open up your own site, but use it as another channel to
reach your audience by leaving messages and communicating back to your users."
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