Google describes it like this:

With Google Insights for Search, you can compare search volume patterns across specific regions, categories, and time frames.

I can see already that I’m going to have to sacrifice something major to make time to learn the nuances and power of this new offering.

The first thing I did was search for one of the client names that my employer represents. It showed a downward trend that has been going on for the past four years. Then I added an additional search term that described that company’s industry. It also showed the same decline. Interrestingly, I recall that the same client has also reduced their PR budget ofer the past few years. Hmmm.

So, it can do relative keyword trend stuff, what else can it do?

It can let you know where searches are popular, countries, states and cities. You can ger really granular with it as SEOBook mentions. You can use categories to track the growth of a given keyword as it relates to the category it is in.

So, that is all I’m going to say about this now… well, two more things. Remember not to get lost in analysis. Research is important, but don’t get mired in it. The second thing is that research is only as good as the data you use. I’m becoming a little concerned that as Google grows into it’s obvious role of world domination, how long will we trust their data?

Some fun searches here, here and here.

The problem is that now, the information itself is in the way. There is just so much of it that separating the signal from the noise is the greatest barrier.

There are some valuable tools that can help you sort, share, find and deliver this information. More and more pop up every day, but here are some of the ones I either use or am thinking about using.

iGoogle: RSS reader Lite
http://www.google.com/ig
Like many others out there, this can be your default page in your browser. Fill it with RSS feeds from stuff you like and stay informed.

Google Reader: RSS reader
http://www.google.com/reader
Once or if you outgrow iGoogle, step up to the Reader. This is THE way I keep up with all the blogs and other RSS-enabled information I care about.

Del.icio.us: Social bookmarking
http://del.icio.us
A great way to keep and categorize bookmarks from home and work or wherever!
It can also be used as a group bookmarking tool. The PR2.0 group and the Interactive department both have unique tags we use to bookmark things worth sharing with the group.
Check mine out here: http://del.icio.us/johnrhopkins

Twitter: Micro-blog
http://twitter.com
This is a micro-blog… this is THE micro-blog. At first you might wonder why you or anyone would use this. I know I did. After seeing the power users like @zeldman and @guykawasaki I understood. The casual user like myself isn’t going to have over 13,000 followers like Guy has, but it works well to stay connected with distant and nearby friends. Then you realize that it can have many uses.
For some creative examples, take a look at http://www.jakebouma.com/2007/12/04/tweet-better-9-unconventional-and-slightly-badass-ways-to-use-twitter/
Follow me on twitter @johnrhopkins

Summize: Twitteer tracking/monitoring
http://www.summize.com
In my opinion, this is the best twitter monitoring site. The advanced features save you from learning all the boolean functions. Even if you know what Boolean functions are, this is a nice feature.

Plurk: Micro-blog
http://www.plurk.com
This is seen as a twitter clone, but it has some additional things to offer. The plurks are viewed in a timeline. You can link media live video and photos to the posts. Has same 140 char limit that twitter has. Has “Karma”, which is a system that gives you points for various types of plurktivity. I believe the Karma points will unlock further features… I felt this was a great idea that will help users grow into the features and not overwhelm.
Check me out on Plurk: johnrhopkins

Stumble It!
Stumbleupon: Find new stuff
http://www.stumbleupon.com/
This is a system that lets you opt in to categories of web content and will try to give you a site that it thinks will be of interest to you… the more you use it, the better the results should be.

Technorati Browser Buttons: page popularity tracking?
http://technorati.com/tools/favelets.html
See who’s linking to the page you’re on

And last, but by no means least

Friend Feed: social media glue?
http://friendfeed.com/
This is a great (the best I’ve found so far) way to keep track of your friends that use the above (or most any other) services. Once you are doing the social media thing and have friends that are as well, and trust me, you do. You will want this to tie it all together.

The tools above are an entry point to getting the message, the pull, and while some will get you started in sending message, my next post will be about the push and our individual presence on the web.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Jason Falls has some good comments on Twitter vs. Plurk here.

John Hopkins