A Week in Digital
Google introduces real-time Place Search
Google introduced Place Search last week, a new kind of search result that organizes the information around places. They cluster search results around specific locations so you can more easily make comparisons and decide where to go.
The new results are marked with red pins, with relevant information and links from across the web. You will also be able to read reviews from the likes of tripadvisor.com. Place Search results will begin appearing automatically on Google when we predict you’re looking for local information.
Rumours abound Facebook is testing a places-powered deals service
There were rumours last week around Facebook testing a new “Facebook Deals” service that would be integrated into Facebook Places, giving businesses the ability to provide discounts and specials when a customer checks in to a physical store. Much like FourSquare the service would incentivize check-ins. It’s quite interesting to note that despite Facebook introducing Facebook Places recently, FourSquare recently hit 4 million members and is growing at a rate of 20,000 new users per day.
YouTube hits 1 billion subscriptions, launches widget to celebrate
YouTube had a big week last week, with Lady Gaga’s videos hitting 1 billion views, the Promoted Videos program hit half a billion views. And over the weekend they reported that it has now hit 1 billion subscriptions. In celebration, YouTube is rolling out a widget that video-makers can embed in their sites, which will allow people to subscribe to channels even outside of the video-sharing site.
Snooki from Jersey Shore tops Google’s top Halloween costume searches
It’s been a strange old Halloween if Google’s top Halloween costume searches are anything to go by. The most popular costume searches this Halloween were Snooki from Jersey Shore, Avatar, Iron Man, Lady Gaga – in particular the meat costume she recently wore - and the Mad Hatter.
