While cruising Google Reader I noted some great articles and tips that you shouldn’t miss. Have a great read and an excellent weekend!

  • Google LogoGoogle’s Matt Cutts gives tips on what page extensions Google does not index. In summary, don’t expect Google to index .exe extensions or URLs that end with a “.O” such as “www.xyzname.com/web2.0”; although Matt did note that the “.O” extension is being re-evaluated and tested for less troublesome indexing by Google.
  • An intro to Apple's new MobileMe application with an allusion to Dr EvilRobert X. Cringely wrote a great article on a “Microsoft-killer” strategy that he believes Apple is putting into play based on the new MobileMe service coming soon. Here is an excerpt:

    “Microsoft’s success is based on two products and only two products — Windows and Office. Microsoft is obsessed with the idea that Google will undermine one or both of those monopolies through Google Apps. This is all Steve Ballmer thinks about and is what made him so eager to spend $40+ billion for Yahoo. But what if the real threat isn’t Google at all, but Apple?” …

    “Given the code Apple already has for its iWork applications, how much more effort would it take to webify those apps, too? Not much, I’d say. A year from now I guarantee you that MobileMe will offer a complete suite of web-based Office applications.”

  • Yesterday Google announced “Fresher Related Search Suggestions” within search results. Google’s press release is summed up below:“Recently, we improved our algorithms to process new information faster, and the result is quite tangible — you should now see fresher suggestions for queries on current topics of interest. “Because information on the web is constantly changing, we think this improvement will help you find relevant information faster. To give this a test drive, try searching for iphone. You should see related queries around the brand new 3G iPhone announced earlier this week.”
  • Yahoo Search logoOn the Yahoo Anecdotal Blog Yahoo CEO and co-founder Jerry Yang announced the finalization of the company’s agreement with Google to show Adsense advertisements alongside Yahoo search results in the USA and Canada. Here is the formal news release sent to Yahoo shareholders yesterday. Jerry explained his reasoning for the Google partnership in 3 statements which I summarized below:1) “First, it does not signal that Yahoo! plans to exit paid search. Quite the contrary. Through the financial benefits of better monetizing our search traffic, we’ll be investing in search services and ad platforms, including Panama. …”2) “Second, this deal is good for competition. … as search and display continue their convergence, it puts Yahoo! in a better position to innovate and compete aggressively with Google and others for ad dollars. It also offers advertisers more choice and publishers gain better distribution and monetization to grow their business.”3) “Finally, this agreement is non-exclusive. We remain completely free to display any paid search listings across our properties — whether from Yahoo!, Google, or any other third parties.”In case you were wondering, here is what Google had to say about the partnership