http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk/payperclick/ The latest industry news from the world of Social Media and the Social Networks including Digg, Stumbleupon, and Facebook. Updated daily. http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18689948/Online-marketing-set-to-go-social Tim Armstrong of Google has claimed that the future of the internet marketing industry lies in social media and mobile advertising. In an interview with Canadian Business magazine, Mr Armstrong cited the two channels when asked about the eme http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18685287/Google-video-sites-remain-on-top-in-May New figures released from comScore this week have indicated that Google-owned websites were the top US video property in May 2008. Data from the Video Metrix service revealed that of the more than 12 billion videos watched by Americans on th http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18683733/Veoh-launches-new-ad-targeting-system Internet television service Veoh Networks has unveiled a new behavioural targeting system for advertisers. The initiative, which is currently available in beta format, allows marketers to target video viewers based on the kind of content the http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18677076/Google-launches-interactive-3D-application Search engine Google has launched a new application in which users can interact with one another in a 3D virtual world. Part of the firm's Google Labs, the Lively application enables users to express themselves by personalising a room and cr http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18674964/Consumers-becoming-more-informed-over-online-shopping Web users are getting savvier when it comes to online shopping recommendations, according to a new study. Conducted by Avail Intelligence, the research suggested that many music fans are increasingly looking to online music shops and social http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18674175/Obama-wins-on-the-web Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has taken an early lead against rival John McCain in terms of his online popularity, it has been revealed. According to figures produced by information and media firm Neilson Online, Mr Obama's http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18669086/Social-media-sites-see-surge-in-popularity Social media websites such as YouTube and Facebook have witnessed a significant leap in usage by UK web users in the last 12 months, according to new figures. Statistics from research company Nielsen Online show that the two sites saw the fa http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18664602/Get-to-grips-with-Web-20-flaws Companies have been urged to carefully consider the pitfalls of utilising Web 2.0 as a marketing strategy before putting it into practice. Autonomy chief executive Mike Lynch said in the Financial Times that while applications like blogs, so http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18663313/Viewers-go-online-for-TV-gossip People are increasingly turning to the Internet for their television viewing, new research by The Nielsen Company for the Cable amp; Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) shows. Online television viewers use the net for findin http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18658694/Communicate-with-customers-online-retailers-told Success on the web demands that e-retailers listen to the consumer, one industry body has emphasised. The ease of comparing providers and prices on the internet means that a lacklustre approach to customer service could mean online shops los http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18650564/Be-subtle-on-social-networks-businesses-advised UK firms were last week warned that a brash approach to marketing on social networking sites could be detrimental. The Social Media Portal's (SMP's) Tim Gibbon recommended that companies ensure they understand the aims of websites such as Li http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18648094/LinkedIn-worth-1bn A new cash investment has valued LinkedIn, the networking website for the business community, at $1 billion ( £512 million). The site's chief executive Dan Nye claims that the site should generate revenues of between $75 million and $100 http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18643651/Effectiveness-of-viral-video-campaigns-must-be-demonstrated Marketers should work to demonstrate the effect of viral, video-based marketing campaigns, one industry professional has said. Brian Shin, founder and chief executive officer of Visible Measures, has urged for the effectiveness of viral vide http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18642019/Green-marketing-utilises-social-media Social media marketing is playing a part in the convergence of green concerns with the internet, it has been claimed. Movements such as Al Gore's The We Campaign are utilising online advertising strategies such as viral marketing, video ads http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18639489/Streamlined-search-function-for-new-MySpace A redesigned MySpace is to incorporate a more efficient search function, it has emerged. The social networking website is to begin the first phase of a global redesign on Wednesday, beginning a process that will integrate a new approach to b http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18635433/Yahoo-is-healthy-says-social-media-head Yahoo!'s head of communities and communications has maintained the company's health and disclosed details of its future plans. Speaking to the BBC, Brad Garlinghouse said that social media would be a key part of the search pioneer's advancem http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18633429/Microsoft-launches-internal-social-network A new product testing platform is being introduced by Microsoft in the form of a social networking website. Chris Pratley, general manager of Microsoft's Office Labs, told Computerworld that the initiative, entitled TownSquare, provides news http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18623705/New-rules-clarified-for-social-media-marketers New legislation regulating the way in which advertisers can market online came into effect last month. The Consumer Protection Law will prohibit any false advertising on social media sites and anything that is specifically targeting children http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18621991/Social-media-monitoring-platform-partners-with-blinkx Radian6 is teaming up with video search engine blinkx in a content feed partnership to improve brand monitoring. The deal will give the social media monitoring platform greater access to popular online sharing sites including YouTube, Groupe http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18615188/Social-media-becoming-popular-among-marketers Marketing professionals are increasingly spending their budgets on interactive platforms such as viral marketing and social media, new research shows. According to a recent survey carried out by the Online Marketing and Media Show (OMMS), ma http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18612340/Google-gears-up-for-conference Web developers will be welcomed by Google to the company's biggest conference of its kind this year. Almost 3,000 web developers will gather for a keynote speech and about 100 technical sessions about web application development. http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18612338/Spammers-targeted-by-Yahoo Internet giant Yahoo! has filed a lawsuit against a group of email spammers for trying to con web users into believing they had won a lottery prize. The phishing lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New un http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18605281/Viral-campaigns-have-an-organic-effect Viral marketing is successful because its effect seems organic, one industry member has said. Initiatives involving the viral distribution of video or other content raise consumer awareness because they do not appear calculated, said Henry P http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18603154/YouTube-initiative-from-Brown A new rich media online strategy sees prime minister Gordon Brown ask the public to answer questions live on YouTube. Prime minister's questions - the half-hour session in which the prime minister takes questions from parliament - can now be http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18601340/Apple-wants-more-ringtones-for-iPhone-users Apple is in talks with record companies about expanding its ringtone catalogue, a new report suggests. The company currently offers iPhone users the chance to upgrade specific iTunes tracks into ringtones, but this service is not currently a http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18599061/Online-file-sharing-a-legal-grey-area The legal status of internet downloads remains difficult to determine, one industry commentator has commented. Speaking after an online music provider was sued by nine record labels for infringement of copyright, Ben Camm-Jones highlighted t http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18596782/Google-Marketers-must-be-educated-about-social-networks The next steps for the development of advertising on social networks should involve educating marketing professionals, Google's co-founder has said. According to Sergey Brin, users and advertisers need to learn and accept the processes invol http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18593882/Employees-would-show-bosses-online-profiles A study has revealed that almost half of employees in the UK are not worried about their bosses checking up on them via social networking sites, according to reports. Zinc Research and Dufferin Research compiled the report as part of unders http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18590429/Google-matures-with-free-application-project Search supremo Google has revealed plans to offer website developers free applications. The company's engineering director, David Glazer, said that the project represented a shift from 'protectionism' to a more open approach in the social ne http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18586501/Microsoft-ditches-Yahoo-courts-Facebook Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been approached by Microsoft about a potential takeover, according to a new report. The software company purchased a $240 billion ( £120 billion) stake in Facebook last October, when the user-generate http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18585600/Businesses-missing-out-on-social-networking-benefits Social networking sites can provide businesses with excellent insight into the behaviour and perceptions of their customers but many are missing out on the benefits. This is the conclusion of a new survey by the analytics software provider S http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18576240/Facebook-for-keeping-friends-not-making-friends Social media site Facebook views itself as a service that complements existing friendships, rather than a facility that helps users form new relationships, one expert has said. Rachel Hawkes, co-founder and editor of Social Media Portal, com http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18571880/Firms-should-take-advantage-of-social-networks Companies should not be afraid of the consumer tendency to share customer experiences with other users on the web, it has been claimed. Jeffrey Frau, eMarketer senior analyst, says that comments and reviews can be used to companies' advantag http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18568036/Daily-Mail-ups-user-generated-content A new site redesign from the Daily Mail prioritises user-generated content more than its predecessor, according to one industry news source. Reader comments and blogs have been highlighted by the tabloid in its recent overhaul of its online http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18561677/Web-advances-enable-remote-working As internet technology has developed, one not-for-profit organisation network observes that it has become easier to work remotely. Business are now able to introduce flexible working initiatives because they have the telecoms and IT capacity http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18559661/Social-networking-is-great-says-web-security-expert The benefits of social networking websites have been acknowledged by the head of a government-sponsored web security group. Tony Neate, the managing director of Get Safe Online, has pointed out that maintaining a cautious approach to online http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18557746/Websites-can-help-small-businesses Selling through a website can give small enterprises a sales boost, according to one industry expert. John De Groot, managing director of StartupCo, commented that acquiring a web presence can be a cost-effective way of increasing revenue an http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18553673/Behavioural-targeting-must-comply-with-privacy-laws Online marketing strategies that target users based on their web-surfing behaviour must subject to stringent privacy regulations, one expert has said. The Open Rights Group, a non-governmental organisation that aims to raise awareness of iss http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18552029/Finance-customers-open-to-internet-communications Financial services customers are open to next-generation telecoms services, according to a new report. Analysis from comScore discovered that 23 per cent of people would welcome a social networking application that informed them of their acc http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18538428/MySpace-challenge-iTunes-for-music-downloads Social networking site MySpace has launched a new music download service where users can purchase their favourite songs, albums and mobile ringtones. MySpace Music will rival Apple's successful iTunes music store, with Universal, Sony BMG an http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18535212/50-of-8-17-year-olds-are-online-networkers Just under half of all eight to 17-year olds with internet access have a profile on a social networking site, Britain's telecoms watchdog has stated. A report published this week by Ofcom found that 49 per cent of people in this age range ha http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18528888/Can-online-music-anarchy-be-monetised? Users should be taxed by their internet service providers (ISPs) for unlimited access to online music, according to Warner Music Group (WMG). A charge for the ability to download from a database of all available recorded music could be bundl http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18526543/SMEs-should-commit-to-the-internet A sustained approach to online marketing has been described as essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Howard Gerlis of the British Computer Society (BCS) notes that too many SMEs abandon their web projects after the initial http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18524624/Widget-initiative-from-American-Airlines American Airlines wants to get to know its customers better, according to a new report. In a bid to do so, MediaPost reveals that the carrier has launched a Facebook widget in order to monitor consumer habits and interactions through viral m http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18522300/Web-search-activity-infiltrates-high-street-shopping People are using the internet to enhance their shopping experience even when they make their final purchase on the high street, new research has shown. An investigation by Krillion and the e-tailing group discovered that the internet plays a http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18520238/Usability-rated-over-price Online retailers can win customers by maximising usability rather than lowering prices, according to a new study. A survey of 5,710 people by consumer watchdog Which? discovered that specialist retailers are among the most successful e-comme http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18517879/Relaunch-for-ITV-online-TV-service ITV is hoping that a relaunch of its online video player will make it a serious contender against the BBC's market leading iPlayer. According to the Guardian, a revamped online catch-up facility is to be introduced by the network less than a http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18515950/Sites-in-tight-battle-for-social-networking-top-spot The social networking market is divided between two companies that are battling it out for the lead position, it has been claimed. The new Digital World: State of the Internet report from comScore notes that MySpace and Facebook are struggli http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18513783/Web-creator-would-abandon-an-ISP-that-tracked-his-activity The inventor of the world wide web has claimed he would leave an internet service provider (ISP) if it began tracking his activity on the internet. Sir Tim Berners-Lee told the BBC that ISPs should not be able to monitor user habits without http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18511626/YouTube-leading-web-video-market About one-third of all videos viewed on the internet in January were on YouTube, a new study has indicated The survey by comScore found that Google sites took a 34.3 per cent share of the market in the first month of 2008, with 96 per cent o http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18509738/Broadband-driving-web-TV-views Broadband penetration in the UK is accelerating the growth of online TV viewing, according to one industry representative. Barak Bar-Cohen, president and chief operations officer with Narrowstep, notes that as more people in Britain acquire http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18507607/Security-a-key-driver-of-web-purchase-decisions Consumers who have located their desired product on two websites for the same price will consider the etailers' security rating, a new report asserts. Sponsored by PayPal and carried out by Jupiter Research, the poll notes that security and http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18505592/Website-design-should-not-be-static As businesses develop and grow, so should their web presences, according to one industry representative. Dr Adam Le Gresley, head of operations with Technology Means Business, has observed that web development should mirror corporate develop http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18503418/Bloggers-are-online-marketing-gold Bloggers are among marketers' most highly-prized customers, a new report asserts. According to digital world analyst comScore, web users who are heavily involved with the blogosphere influence online sales. Jack Flanagan, executive http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18495522/154-leap-for-mobile-broadband Last year saw the US mobile broadband market grow by more than 150 per cent, new figures suggest. The latest report from comScore indicates that the number of American computers accessing the web via mobile broadband leapt by 154 per cent du http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18491605/Browsers-become-buyers-at-14 Young people switch from viewing online content to purchasing items on the web at the age of 14, one industry publication has asserted. Jeffrey Grau, senior analyst with eMarketer, said that there is a jump in web buying at the a http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18489277/Social-advertisers-told-to-enrich-the-user-experience Marketers looking to harness the potential of social networks have been advised to adopt a value-added rather than intrusive approach. Rachel Hawkes, co-founder and editor of Social Media Portal, said that sensitivity regarding content is cr http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18487135/Big-Brother-steps-into-social-networking-sphere A new social networking aggregator has been described as the Big Brother of social networking by one blog. Writing on Pandia Search Engine News, Phil Bradley observes that new resource Spokeo gathers information on social network http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18485014/High-speed-broadband-provision-a-pressing-issue Now is the time for Britain to act on the provision of high-speed broadband, it has been claimed. A number of issues pertaining to the UK's international position in the broadband market need to be addressed, states Kip Meek, chairman of the http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18483423/Google-voted-top-brand Google is the UK's favourite when it comes to brands, it has emerged. Emerging at the top of a list of 500 businesses, the internet giant topped a Superbrands chart, ahead of the likes of Microsoft and the BBC, Brand Republic reports. http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18483417/Microsoft-Yahoo-takeover-would-be-blind-leading-the-blind Microsoft's proposed takeover of struggling internet search engine and internet services provider would fail to compete with Google, it has been claimed. At the Interactive Advertising Bureau annual conference yesterday (February 25th) comme http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18480927/Web-discussions-should-not-be-censored Censorship is not the way to curb pro-anorexa and pro-bulimia websites, it has been claimed. Such sites - known as pro-ana and pro-mia sites - are the subject of debate as National Eating Disorder Awareness Week commences. MP for Ch http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18478937/Access-to-employment-opportunities-improved-by-broadband Carers and people with disabilities find it easier to pursue paid employment alongside their duties thanks to widespread broadband penetration in the UK, one expert claims. The availability of cheap broadband has proliferated in the UK in re http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18472222/Women-prefer-network-TV-to-CGM Men and women have very different habits when it comes to viewing online videos, the findings of a new study suggest. Research by Nielsen Online discovered that women aged between 18 and 34 accounted for 22 per cent of the viewers of streams http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18458583/Search-marketing-cannot-exist-in-a-vacuum Customer engagement is an important aspect of search marketing, a Search Engine Watch blogger has claimed. Eric Enge, president of Boston firm Stone Temple Consulting, explained that reputation management is important because blogs and forum http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18449480/Think-like-the-customer-with-email-campaigns Businesses which put themselves in customers' shoes when designing an email campaign will do well, it has been claimed. The Chartered Institute of Marketing has advised firms to make emails as personal as possible, which is easier if it is a http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18431519/Social-search-influence-grows Companies planning search engine marketing strategies now have no option but to consider the influence of social media if they are serious about being successful, a direct marketing expert has advised. Jeannette Kocsis, vice-president of dig http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18410925/Consumers-seek-product-info-online Consumers are increasingly using the internet in order to access information on products or services before making their buying decision, it has been reported. Jeremiah Owyang, senior analyst at marketing firm Forrester Research, commented o http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18407010/Bloggers-earn-ad-revenue Advertising is making a living for blog authors and turning a hobby into a 'nice little earner' for a select few online editorials, according to a report. Florida Today uses the example of Zach Brooks, who currently earns about £1,000 http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18403315/EC-to-promote-media-literacy The European commission has announced plans to encourage media literacy across the continent. People need a greater awareness of how to express themselves effectively and how to interpret what others are saying, especially on blogs, v http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18399638/Yahoo-announces-web-finds Judges are set to vote on the most creative, innovative and amusing websites within the UK as part of Yahoo's Finds of the Year campaign, it has emerged. Experts must choose winners from 40 websites from eight categories in the event, which http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18395809/Targeted-advertising-a-privacy-problem Using web users' data to target advertisements without their permission is dangerous , it has been claimed. UTalkMarketing.com, a community site for marketers, has said that although using social networking sites to advertise on c http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18395806/Social-networking-sites-tools-for-product-promotion Consumers are using social networking sites to make purchasing decisions, it has been found. Research by the American Marketing Association has revealed that 47 per cent of people would use the sites to download discount coupons or to search http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18384985/Facebook-apologises-for-ad-tracking-system Chief executive officer of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg has issued a public apology for the website's advertising system. On the company blog, Mr Zuckerberg claimed Facebook had made a bad job of releasing online tracking tool Beacon http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18381080/Retired-people-take-advantage-of-the-internet Many older people are putting the internet to good use, according to the British Computer Society (BCS). It claimed that surfing the web has become a popular activity among the retired population. David Evans, governme http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18375731/Widgets-extremely-exciting-prospect-for-advertisers The introduction of widget applications has opened up new forms of advertising, according to the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB). Widgets are branded tools which allow social network users to download new applications to their profile page http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18369235/EU-to-examine-targeted-advertising-concerns EU regulators are to examine the use of targeted marketing strategies by online advertisers. The EU will look at whether web users' privacy is invaded when companies such as Google and Facebook store behaviour patterns and information in ord http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18367489/Internet-puts-older-generation-back-in-touch The internet connects the elder generation with society, according to New Age Media Magazine. Editor of the magazine Justin Pearse explained that there have been instances where elderly people feel cut off from the world but by keepin http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18364922/Social-network-sites-most-effective-medium-of-advertising For online advertisers that are aware of their target audience, social media networks are an ideal medium to target consumers, according to Social Media Portal. Director of the company Tim Gibbon explained that businesses will be able to cus http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18357706/In-game-ad-industry-will-be-worth-billions-says-gaming-expert Google's AdSense for Games' Bernie Stolan has predicted that in-game advertising will be a billion dollar industry by 2010. He told GamesIndustry.biz that he thinks 80 per cent of games will feature advertising by that time. Sport http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18350079/71-of-women-go-online-every-day Women are using the internet as part of their daily routine, according to new research. Data from the Women's Space survey, undertaken by IPC Media, reveals that social networking, dating and photo sharing are attractive to women using the http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18343067/Yahoo-introduces-Kickstart-to-social-network-industry Internet company Yahoo! has launched social network Kickstart in collaboration with UK website Bebo. Kickstart is to follow Facebook's original strategy of connecting college students. However the head of the Kickstart project Scott Gatz wro http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18340970/MySpace-to-work-with-Google OpenSocial, Google's social networking platform launched earlier this week, has so far announced it will be collaborating with Bebo, LinkedIn, Orkut and now News Corp's MySpace. The new programme by Google allows developers to create applica http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18329727/Rivals-compete-over-Facebook Facebook is to announce a deal with either Google or Microsoft, according to the New York Post. The newspaper reported that the two rival internet companies are set to pay between $750 million ( £366 million) and $1.5 billion for a five http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18322762/Facebook-to-give-Google-a-run-for-its-money The social network site Facebook could be the next major player in online advertising. In response to a question about the company's future at the Web 2.0 Summit, chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg suggested advertising may be the next http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18318800/Social-networkers-are-top-shoppers Over 95 per cent of frequent social networkers visited shopping sites in August, says digital media measurers comScore. The results show that 80 per cent of American internet users visited a retail website. Out of these 146,000 online shoppe http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18311772/UK-surfers-are-biggest-social-networkers Nearly 25 million people in Britain visited a social network site in August according to comScore research. The social media measurement group's data revealed 78 per cent of UK web users access sites like Facebook or MySpace, compared with t http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18300561/YouTube-launches-non-profit-aid A programme aimed at helping non-profit organisations maximise their donation streams has been launched by YouTube. The Google-owned video sharing website says that the new scheme will make it easier for non-profit organisations to target th http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18296819/Facebook-may-be-subject-of-bidding-war The rumoured Microsoft bid for a share of social networking website Facebook may start a bidding war, one newspaper has suggested. A report in today's Times lists US search engine Google and media network Viacom as two potential suitors shou http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18295303/YouTube-has-big-brands-in-its-sights Big brands are being courted by video-sharing website YouTube, it has been reported. According to India's Economic Times, the website - which is owned by Google - has set its sights on turning the millions of viewers it receives daily into c http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18282727/Yahoo-launches-social-networking-site Search engine Yahoo! has announced the launch of its own social networking site, a move that has been the subject of much speculation in recent months. The new site - known as Mash - is still at the development stage but has been opened up i http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18282702/Yahoo-launches-social-networking-site http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18274327/Facebook-opens-profiles-up-to-search-engines Social networking website Facebook is to allow search engines to pick up on profiles that users have created. In practice, this will allow anyone using a search engine to enter a person's name and see whatever Facebook entries they have made http://www.epiphanysolutions.co.uk//socialmediaoptimisation/18271054/Dont-ban-employees-from-social-networking-TUC-advises Banning employees from using social networking sites at work is not the best way of dealing with the issue, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has advised. Sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace enjoy widespread popularity and some employers