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Search Optimization and Its Dirty Little Secrets
Someone types the word “dresses” and hits enter. What will be the very first result? There are, of course, a lot of possibilities. Macy’s comes to mind. Maybe a specialty chain, like J. Crew or the Gap.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News Industry analysts expect American Airlines will resolve the disputes with Orbitz and Expedia. That is because American is in a standoff over the fees it must pay to list its flights with the agencies. And while that is the immediate reason for the dispute, a broader issue is at stake: how American’s tickets are displayed and marketed to travelers. American has developed direct connection distribution technology — which Orbitz and Expedia have refused to adopt — that could change the way it displays and sells tickets.
American Airlines in Fight With Orbitz and Expedia
Sabre to End Contract With American Airlines
That company, Sabre Holdings, said on Wednesday that it would end its agreement with American and would make American fares harder to see in its displays. Sabre runs a computer system that allows travel agents to see flight and fare information. Sabre said it would end its contract with American in early August. Until then, American fares will show up lower on lists viewed by travel agents.AOL Outsources in Health and Sports
AOL ’s turnaround effort under Tim Armstrong , its chief executive, focuses on a few areas of strength: technology news and local news along with products like e-mail and instant messaging. Inevitably, some other services will get less attention. On Thursday, AOL disclosed its plans for some of those “other services.” The strategy, the company said, will be to establish partnerships with outside companies to provide content in three categories: sports, health and real estate. The deals give AOL “more resources, time and energy to double down on areas we want to win in as a company,” Mr. Armstrong said.
Awful as it may be, it is about to get a lot of foot traffic. Hundreds of people — tourists, adventurers and history buffs — are lining up to visit the South Pole in honor of the 100th anniversaries of Amundsen’s arrival (on Dec. 14, 1911) and (Jan. 17, 1912). The preparations are already speeding along. Some people intend to the exact routes of Amundsen and Scott, reading the explorers’ diaries daily and blogging about the experience. Others will drive to the pole by truck. For those seeking less exertion, there will be catered flights to the pole, including several that will let passengers off a few miles away so they can ski the remaining stretch and feel the thrill of victory.
Racing to Mark South Pole Expeditions’ 100th Anniversaries
Patch.com and AOL Bet on Hyperlocal News
Over the last year and a half, AOL, the former Internet colossus, has spent tens of millions of dollars to build local news sites across the country through Patch.com . The idea is that the service would fill the gap in coverage left by local newspapers, many of which are operating on a string after declines in advertising revenue. Patch has already set up shop in nearly 800 towns.