Google has unveiled the broad match modifier in the United States. Many questions and confusion have come up about when to use the broad match modifier and when to use the previous broad match feature. Also, many ask how the broad match modifier will improve my campaigns if I only run phrase and exact match type keywords?

Phrase match types will show your ads for the keyword you are bidding on, but the search query can also include  words before or after your phrase.  Essentially your keywords must be present in the search term somewhere in its original order..

Exact match types will only appear when a searcher directly types in your keyword. No plurals or misspellings will appear.  Also, no other words can be included in the search other than the keyword you are bidding on.

Examples:
Keyword you are bidding on:  solar panels
Broad: buying solar efficient panels, solar panel companies, solar system, solar universe, solar flare, planets
Phrase: buy solar panels, solar panels distributors, who sells solar panels
Exact: solar panels

The broad match modifier was created to have more control of your keywords and not have a large list for each misspelling, plural, etc.

Example:
Keyword: +solar +panels
Queries: solar panels, solar panel, buying solar panel, soalr panels for my home

The plus sign in front of the keyword acts as an “anchor” ensuring your core keyword showing for searches and no synonyms, but including the common misspellings and plurals.

Please check out other blogs about the broad match modifier:

MoreVisibility: New Match Type for Google Canada & UK
http://www.morevisibility.com/semblog/new-match-type-for-googles-canada-and-uk-adwords-interfaces.html

MoreVisibility: Using Adwords Editor and Broad Match Modifier
http://www.morevisibility.com/analyticsblog/using-adwords-editor-to-create-modified-broad-matched-keywords.html

Google: New Keyword Targeting Feature

http://adwords.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-keyword-targeting-feature-rolling.html

Google: Broad Match Modifier Common Questions

http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=175280

Google has created yet another tool to assist advertisers with optimization of their Google Adwords campaigns. Recently, Google rolled out the Opportunities tab within the new Adwords interface. The Opportunities tab is intended to help advertisers discover new ways to improve their campaign’s efficiency.

Google automatically lists their suggestions within the Opportunities tab. Listings alert advertisers that they have recognized suggestions from Google that may benefit your account. The Opportunities tab is a central location for keyword and budget optimization ideas across the Google Adwords account.

The two types of opportunities that the tab currently suggests are keyword and budget ideas. Keyword ideas are linked to ad groups and can help advertisers receive more impressions and clicks. This new tool analyzes the volume of Google searches that could be captured with new keywords; if those keywords are added, the campaign has more ad exposure and gains the attention of more potential customers.

Budget ideas show the amount of ad traffic available and are only visible for campaigns that are meeting or exceeding their current budget. Google reviews how many searches your ad could appear on and then recommends a budget amount that could help you reach that potential.
Since the Google Opportunities are automated, it’s possible that you will see some suggestions that may not be pertinent or do not suit your business objectives. All optimization “opportunities” should be reviewed thoroughly before implementation.

Do you often wonder what your friends are up to or maybe the exact location of your husband/wife when they claim to be “working late”?   With the recent launch of Google Latitude, technology is getting closer.

Google Latitude is a new feature in the Google Maps application that allows you to keep tabs on your friends and family by knowing their exact location and status at all times.   Latitude is an opt-in-only feature. No one will be able to see your location, or vice versa unless both parties agree to participate.  To avoid appearing creepy, Google incorporated easy-to-change privacy settings so that locations can be automatically detected, manually entered or completely hidden from other people. If you choose to opt in, you always have the option to sign off or opt out of Latitude altogether. Once opted into Latitude, you can share, set, hide, or even display only a city-level location with certain friends. You can also choose allow your location to automatically update every several minutes while you are on the move. 

Depending on your mobile specifications, Latitude either uses GPS satellites,  cell-tower locations, or WiFi to determine your physical location.  It currently works on Google’s G1, most Blackberry’s, and some other smart phones.  According to Google, the iPhone, iPod Touch, and many Sony Ericsson devices will support Latitude soon.  People who have compatible mobile devices must either upgrade their current version of Google Maps, and/or install Google maps for the first time in order to use Latitude.  
Along with their locations, friends can also share other information on Latitude by uploading a status message and/or a personal photo, which appears as a tiny representative icon on a map (see image below).  Changes to one’s status or picture will be reflected in the map, as well as in Google Talk. The technology also allows users to communicate with participating friends via: text messages, instant messages, or phone.

If you don’t have a compatible phone mentioned above, or don’t carry your phone to the office, Google Latitude will work on your PC as well.  You can share your location manually with the iGoogle gadget, or use your computer’s WiFi location. 

Even though it isn’t the first of its kind, Google Latitude appears to be relatively accurate and user friendly at first glance.  If you choose to opt in, keep in mind that the results are not 100% accurate, and Google is working hard to constantly improve the application.