News

ComScore: Google properties led in traffic, search in May

By Tim Conneally | Published June 20, 2008, 2:58 PM

Web analytics company comScore this week released its top fifty US Web properties list for May 2008 based upon its Media Metrix service, and Google's leading the pack by a nose.

In April, comScore reported a surge in Google queries, taking it up a whole 1.8% from March, when all other search engines dropped. Strictly as a Web property, however, Yahoo is usually comScore's favorite. It enjoyed several months on the top of the hot properties list, only now to be taken down a notch by Google.

The difference between Google's 75% of the total US audience and Yahoo's 74% was only 464,000 visits. This period of Google dominance has been punctuated by frequent news of Yahoo tumult. In the month of May alone, Yahoo lost Director Ed Kozel, faced criticism for problems with the beta of McAfee-powered Yahoo SearchScan, and of course, dismissed the well-publicized Microsoft bid and saw subsequent dissidence from investor Carl Icahn.

During the month of May, Google properties expanded with the public release of Google Sites, the beta launch of Google Health, and an update to Google Docs.

In terms of the Web at large, comScore cites the Mother's Day holiday as a major driver of traffic. Proflowers.com showed a 319% month-over-month explosion, and the whole category of Flowers, Gifts and Greetings appreciated a 15% spike in unique visits.

Memorial Day, the company says, teamed with domestic economic conditions, made coupon and travel sites surge 11% and 9%, respectively, as well.

View comments by with a score of at least

Report: Microsoft to randomize Europe's browser screen choices

The fact that "A" is for "Apple" was apparently at the heart of browser vendor objections to Microsoft's alternative to listing IE first.

Acer eclipses Dell for #2 spot in global PC shipments, says iSuppli data

It literally does look like a 360-degree turnaround in Dell's fortunes, as the bells of bad tidings now toll solely for Dell.

Microsoft, don't hang up on Windows Mobile, but do call for help

Only a Manhattan Project can save Microsoft's phone strategy now.

See ya later, WinMo: Microsoft's mobile strategy needs a reboot

Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: Hands up if you're considering upgrading to a Windows phone for the holidays...Anybody?

Playing catch-up in 2010: Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Symbian

Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia are each working on improved mobile operating systems. But could these efforts add up to too little, too late?

Will Nokia's plans further alienate American consumers?

A look at Nokia's plans for the coming years does little to shine up the company's increasingly dull image.

Bing bonked by service outage Thursday, Microsoft configured the wrong server

It's always nice to have a backup, but it's even nicer to remember which one is the backup. That's the lesson Bing's admins learned yesterday evening.

Survey reveals there are more women then men, including on social networks

If you think you can market your products and services online as though you're selling car batteries in the middle of halftime, think again. And again.

Android team updates 'Donut' and 'Eclair' SDKs

The Android SDK includes components which optimize app development for each version of the mobile operating system. Today, the 1.6 and 2.0 components got updates.

The Black Screen Syndrome, or, Tech news in search of the apocalypse

Scott Fulton On Point: This is a story about something that should not have been a story, about something that at one time was a story.

Online advertising evolves away from display, toward interactive software

Marketing departments and agencies are increasingly establishing positions for "creative technologists" who can steer designers and developers toward platforms that enable direct connections with consumers.