Google Makes YouTube Audio, Video Searchable

Fastest-growing US search term in 2007

(NEWSER) - The iPhone topped Google’s list of fastest-growing search terms this year, reports Reuters. "iPhone, of course, is a word very few people typed in a search box in 2006,” said a Google rep. “It didn’t exist.” The list was dominated by social networking and celebrity terms.

1. iPhone
2. Webkinz
3. TMZ

Imagemakers offer services to improve web persona and dodge bloggers

(NEWSER) - If your first hit on Google feels like a mafia hit, don't despair. Firms like ReputationDefender and Reputation Management offer clients an enhanced image on the top search engine by creating links, sites, YouTube videos, and MySpace profiles that promote positive Google results, and lower the pageranks of defamatory comments. More»

Info boxes will pop up next to your search

(NEWSER) - Google is rolling out a major new change to its search engine today—the Knowledge Graph . When a user searches for a famous person, place, or thing, a box will pop up on the side of the screen offering a concise list of relevant facts, reports ABC News . Google's database for the new tool includes 500 million people, places, and things combined with 3.5 billion items of information and connections. More»

Beth Wilkinson's selection points to likely court case

(NEWSER) - As its investigation into Google's search practices continues, the Federal Trade Commission has hired a top outside lawyer for the case. The choice of an outside litigator is a rare one for the FTC—it's happened only twice in 10 years, the New York Times notes—and it suggests the case will likely go to court. The hire? Former DoJ prosecutor Beth Wilkinson, who was key to Timothy McVeigh's bombing conviction and has won all of the approximately 40 major cases she has led. More»

Landmark ruling holds it responsible for copyrighted videos

(NEWSER) - Google is responsible for all the copyrighted content its users post on YouTube, a German court ruled today, in a landmark decision that could have massive implications for online content. The court ordered Google to remove all copyrighted clips brought to its attention, rejecting the web giant's argument that it merely provided the framework for users to post content, Reuters reports. More»