Posts by Kristi Hagen

Currently in beta, Chrome 25 will soon encrypt ALL Google searches performed in its Omnibox, the URL bar. Previously, the encrypted searches were only available to Google users who were signed into their accounts.

On one hand, they are protecting user privacy by encrypting the searches. For example, if you were searching for “50 Shades of Gray” at a coffee shop that had an open wireless connection (no password) and your search was UNencrypted - any person could use free software to monitor your web searches and basically unencrypted site you visit.

We all want to feel safe in the ‘privacy’ of our own laptops, right? Many...

Google recently publicized a New Hangout on Air Series, entitled “Under the AdWords Hood.” In their January 10th blog post, AdWords staff outlined when and what they’ll be talking about:

January 10th @ 11am PDT: Adwords Policy

January 24th @ 11am PDT: Breaking Down Ad Rank

February 7th @ 11am PDT: Remarketing Tips

February 21st @11am PDT: All About Adwords Billing Cycle

The first Hangout featured Director of Engineering for Advertising at Google, David Baker. He explained ad reviews, statuses, and policies. You can see this video coverage of the first...

Google Webmaster Tools are a MUST if you want to take your site optimization seriously. These tools are Google's way of directly reporting to you (the site owner) must-know stats on things like: crawling errors, malware notices, as well as recommendations on specific tweaks to your Web site helping you to rank higher within Google Search. If you haven't yet established your account there then today is the day to do that.

Below is a image provided by Google outlining some of the features included within Google Webmaster Tools.

Step one: Get signed up using the gmail account that is s...

If you've been having issues verifying your business on Google+ Local then you're in for a treat! Google has implemented a help desk to support people like you. The Help Desk currently serves English speakers in the United States. So far, there hasn't been much press about this line of customer support. So, we are unsure if or when there are plans to serve the rest of the Google-using world. In the meantime, we can celebrate the fact that Google+ Local is providing real-time, over-the-phone support!

To access the help form, visit Google Places Help Forum and select

As of December 17th, 2012, Facebook officially entered the Local Search industry as a contender with Foursquare and Yelp. On their iOS and Android mobile applications, Facebook released Nearby, which allows you to search for businesses based on location, friends’ recommendations, likes and yes - even check-ins. Consumers also have the ability to connect directly with businesses, whether it is by calling, getting directions, ‘liking,’ or ‘checking in.’

Foursquare responded to this change by

Microsoft released pricing for the new Surface with Windows 8 Pro, with two options available either 64GB at $899 or 128GB at $999. It's similar to the Surface with Windows RT in that it's got a similar look, same sized screen, with a kickstand.

Both the Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro versions come with a Surface pen (Type or Touch covers are sold separately). However, the Windows 8 Pro is beefier. It weighs a ...

All I can say is holy cr@p are you kidding?! What else will people think of...and why does a toddler get this latest gadget designed when Daddy doesn't even have one yet ;-)

This photo originally from Gizmodo shows what can only be described as a toddler's potty chair with a harness integrated into it that is designed to hold an iPad. Now, I tease all the time about letting your 7yr old show you how the iPad works but this is something else.

This image above is a GREAT example of how you can take an image and story that targets a HUGE number of people and create a blog post aroun...