AOL recently launched a new search toolbar. Currently, it is available for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Flock browsers. The toolbar stands out against other toolbar with its dark blue background and sort of recedes into the browser. It will help you link to your favorite AOL products, such as AOL Classifieds, AOL Yellow Pages and Reference Center. In addition, the toolbar also allows you to quickly search the web.

Here's a screenshot of the New! AOL Search Toolbar:

Users also have the option to customize this toolbar with their favorite content. The browser relaunches with options for adding buttons once the toolbar is installed. Just scan the toolbar button gallery for add-ons like CNN and Facebook.

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AOL Launches New Search Toolbar

After Yahoo, Ask.com and Google, it's time for AOL to release the top searches for the year 2008!

Top searches for selected niches:

• ‘American Idol’ – Top TV & Movies
• NASCAR – Top Sports
• Britney Spears – Top Celebrity
• Flat Belly Diet – Top Health
• iPhone – Top Shopping
• Jonas Brothers – Top Musician
• Presidential Election – Top News

Click here to subscribe to our RSS feed to get a daily digest of news around search engine industry. PageTraffic SEO Blog is updated four times a day and is ranked as one of the best search engine resources blog by Pandia!

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Top Searches for 2008 By AOL

Greg Sterling has improved its mobile search feature, especially for Windows Mobile devices.

“In the latest version, there are two kinds of search modes:

1. an enhanced Windows Mobile experience, and
2. a non-Windows Mobile version, which is also improved albeit with a slightly different presentation.

AOL noticed that a disproportionate number of users were using Windows Mobile devices (and mobile search), so the company created an experience with horizontal tabs that dynamically change depending on the query or context of the search. “

Below is an example of a search for sushi in San Francisco:

More functions include:

1. Mobile AIMMobile AIM® Service : Use the Mobile AIM service to access your Buddy List® feature and send and receive IMs.
2. Mobile AOL MailMobile AOL® Mail : Send and receive your AOL® or AIM® e-mail on your mobile device when you're away from your computer.
3. MapQuest MobileMapQuest® Mobile : Stay on the go with interactive maps and step-by-step driving directions.
4. AOL Mobile WebAOL® Mobile Web : A wireless web destination that provides access to AOL® information and services.
5. CityGuide MobileCityGuide Mobile : Easy access to restaurants, hotels, entertainment and more all on your mobile phone!
6. Moviefone MobileMoviefone® Mobile : View showtimes, cast information and movie synopses all from your mobile phone!
7. AOL Software for PDA & SmartphoneAOL® Software for PDA & Smartphone : Download AOL® software to access both your AOL® e-mail and instant messenger from your SmartPhone or PDA.
8. T9 : Text Faster, Text FurtherT9: Text Faster, Text Further :With T9® text input you can create and send text messages much faster than using multi-tap to type on your mobile

For more of AOL's mobile experience, visit AOL Mobile.

Click here to subscribe to our RSS feed to get a daily digest of news around search engine industry. PageTraffic SEO Blog is updated four times a day and is ranked as one of the best search engine resources blog by Pandia!

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AOL Improves Mobile Search

An AOL press release informs that AOL will acquire TACODA, an online behavioral targeting advertising network where the Advertising Network will perform as an entirely owned subsidiary of AOL.

Though AOL has not announced the purchasing fee yet, sources told the NYPost that the acquisition costs somewhere between $200 million and $300 million.

About the acquisition, Ron Grant, AOL President and COO said, "The acquisition of TACODA will build on our advertising momentum, letting us better serve advertisers by enhancing our ability to precisely target advertisements across an even broader network. We are committed to bringing advertisers and publishers a full range of tools and services, along with the widest reach, and with TACODA we're taking another step toward that goal."

Curt Viebranz, CEO of TACODA also said, "AOL is a perfect match for TACODA. By combining our targeting capabilities with AOL's existing set of solutions, we can better serve online advertisers and publishers as the market for behavioral targeting continues to emerge. I'm also delighted to have the opportunity to work with Ron and with AOL CEO Randy Falco, who are putting in place all the pieces needed to create a world-class advertising network."

Other video and mobile ad-serving marketplace purchases of AOL include Lightingcast, AdTech AG, Advertising.com and Third Screen Media.

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AOL Purchases TACODA An Online Behavioral Targeting Advertising Network

In the latest news, Loren Baker has a report on “AOL’s New Local Search Beta”.

AOL Beta Central explains their new Search Beta as in three simple ways:

• “Enter a query term, such as PIZZA, a business name or the type of business you're looking for, such as plumbers, in the search field.
• Select a location to search in by entering a city, state and/or a zip code. You have the option of also specifying a street address, in which case we'll search for locations closest to that address.
• Click the Search button.”

When you get the map with its associated list of the businesses matching your search, you can click on a business name to view detailed information about that business. You can also view details about the business, view a photo (if available) and get driving directions by moving your mouse over the marker for the business on the map. For your convenience driving directions can also be found by clicking the driving directions button above the listings beside the map."

Early opinion is negative with one user saying, “I tried a couple searches, and got “no results” almost all the time for searches I know work just fine on Google Maps. It looks like the obsolete technology they are using (MapQuest) makes this product a non-starter.”

Click here to subscribe to our RSS feed to get a daily digest of news around search engine industry. PageTraffic SEO Blog is updated four times a day and is ranked as one of the best search engine resources blog by Pandia!

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Local Search Beta: AOL's Saving Grace?