Your Google products will still look and work the same. The privacy update supports the evolution towards a fully integrated suite of Google products that all share your information with the end goal of offering a simple, intuitive experience to users.

The main change will be for Google Accounts. If you’re signed into one Google account, Google will be able to access information from that product and use it to fill in the gaps for another product.

This policy shift is no big surprise as we’ve been noticing a trend towards simpler, more transparent policies globally.

What does this mean for you?

This change promises more personalized search results from a variety of sources. For example, if you search for Thai food in Minneapolis, you’ll not only get results from the web but you’ll also see relevant Google+ posts and photos. So, if someone from one of your circles posted a picture of Pad Thai while they were at Roat Osha, Google will add that photo to your search results.

Google is also suggesting that sharing your information between Google products allows them to offer more helpful feedback. Feedback unique and relevant to you. For example, if you’re taking a trip to Mexico, by sharing more information within Google products, you’ll probably see ads about traveling to Mexico. Google will also be able to auto correct misspelled names or even notify you if you’re going to be late to pick up your kids based on your calendar, your location and what traffic is like. Wow, that’s powerful! Keep in mind you still need to drive your car (at least until the autonomous car is here).

What isn’t changing?

Google is still committed to data liberation and they will not sell your personal information. You still have the ability to turn off certain types of ads and set privacy information within Google+ circles. Whew!

For more information, watch this quick video.

Official Google Privacy Policy

“Google Instant is search-before-you-type. Instant takes what you have typed already, predicts the most likely completion and streams results in real-time for those predictions—yielding a smarter and faster search that is interactive, predictive and powerful.”

Currently Google Instant is only available to logged in users. The search behemoth plans to roll-out the mobile version “soon.”

Right away I wondered how this latest feature would impact SEO and Reputation Management, my main focus at ArcStone Technologies.

I tested the roll-out by starting to type in ArcStone. By the time I typed ArcSt – Google instant produced results for ArcStone (http://www.arcstone.com).

What does it mean for your brand?

If a company can dominate the search results for a keyword term or their company name this will increase the company’s visibility in a big way.

Similarly if you can achieve high rankings for some popular Google Instant results you will be able to significantly impact your website’s traffic.

Google claims that Google Instant will save searchers time. I’m not sure I buy this. Yes, Google Instant allows you to refine your search on the fly so you can get the results you want to see but will you save loads of time using it?

How will this change the SEO game?

Google Instant adds another layer to SEO. Fortunately most SEOs are in the field because they like the fast-paced, always-evolving demands of the job. Google Instant will definitely impact the keywords we select for optimization. SEOs will look for trending themes and try to rank for those keywords. For example, if I was working with a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer or a Minneapolis Moving Company, I’d probably look for opportunities around trending Google Instant “Minnesota” searches. I’d capitalize on these searches by creating and optimizing content that ties-in to the Minnesota Vikings or Minnesota State Fair.

Google Instant will impact longtail keyword opportunities because Instant will finish the query before the searcher will be able to type in their longer, more specific query.

It’s too early to tell the consequences for SEO. Time will tell.

Southview Design came to us several years ago (through our friend Kristin Kowler at Genius to Go) in search of a clean, professional site that reflected the caliber of work which they were producing in landscapes. The new site not only improved their image, but made their team proud to share it. That was the site design “version 1″

Just yesterday we launched the all new Southview Design, while the previous site was plenty good they sought a more interactive and engaging user experience – and to continue to their already strong search engine presence. The new site features a striking new look, continually updated project slideshow on the home page, and intuitive navigation scheme. The project gallery allows visitors to explore by image – or quickly filter the list of landscaping projects by Service or by Price.

With this new site Kristin has again provided powerful and effective search engine friendly content, which will continue to build upon the already strong search engine presence Southview Design enjoys. Coupled with the ultra-clean site code and site optimization techniques employed in this go-around we wish them much happiness and success with the new site.

And just in time for Spring!

Nice try, Microsoft. I might have given your engine a little love just to win a prize, but I can’t even figure out how to participate in the program. Do I have to be a Hotmail user?

I’d rather try Blingo, powered by Google’s search engine (although Google’s universal search features are somewhat depreciated in Blingo’s interface). For 25 searches a day, you are automatically entered to win a prize on Blingo. When you refer your friends, any prize they win, you win as well.

Feel free to be one of my friends….

Go to Spock and “claim” your profile before someone else does. Spock uses a technology that automatically generates tags for an individual. This differentiates Spock from the other People Search web sites such as LinkedIn and Wink. Think of Spock’s potential uses – get the dirt on a new love interest, impromptu employer background check, or find out “where they are now”. It seems like Spock has the potential to be yet another Internet time sucker.

By the way, Spock is thrilled with Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3). They are utilizing S3 for storing their photos. They write, “We’re pretty psyched with Amazon Web Services, and we’re looking forward to leveraging other neat services they roll out in the future.” It’s reassuring to know that other companies are having success with this technology just as we are with Wonderfile.