Posted by Nick Gerner Since the launch of Open Site Explorer and our API update , Chas , Ben and I have invested a lot of time and energy into improving the freshness and completeness of Linkscape's data. I'm pleased to announce that we've updated the Linkcape index with crawl data that's between two and five weeks oldthe freshest it's ever been. We've also changed how we select pages,

Not surprisingly, the majority (85%) of online consumers prefer free content, but some categories they would be willing to consider paying for access, according to a new survey from Nielsen. Nielsen asked more than 27,000 consumers across 52 countries about what types of online content they would be willing to pay for. The survey found consumers are most likely to pay for online content they would pay for offline including movies, music, games, and television shows.

Google Checkout's Advanced Buyer Messaging (gift messaging) feature has been taken out of beta. This feature, which was released over a year ago lets Google Checkout customers add gift messages, add additional instructions, and request gift receipts. The new beta-less version of the feature comes with a few changes. Google explains , "Based on user feedback, we have streamlined the number of tags making the feature more straightforward to use.

Is Google gunning for Amazon and eBay? New York Times report that Google has hired a former eBay executive as vice president of commerce. Stephanie Tilenius has been tapped for the new position, about which next to nothing appears to be known. Miguel Helft wrote: People close to Google said Ms. Tilenius would oversee Google Checkout, the company's online payments system, and other e-commerce efforts. Her hiring suggests a push by Google into online commerce,

by Claudine Zap Our top picks from the day's hottest searches. Norwegian Buhund (Searches increased by +2,274%). Say hello, or should we say, "woof," to one of the new breeds introduced at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. My Sharona (+2,230%). Doug Fieger, the co-writer and singer of the new wave hit, has died . Bode Miller (+631%). The downhill skier redeemed himself with Olympic bronze . Rio Carnival 2010 (+245%).

By now you've seen our global ad campaign that shows how Yahoo! is focused on YOU like never before. And at Yahoo! Search, we continue to deliver what you need in just one search. We've launched a new national ad campaign covering radio and the Web. Our new campaign looks directly at the Yahoo! Search experience, where we continue to bring you all the information you need in one place. If you haven't heard our ads on your favorite radio station,

Next up on the Search Engine Strategies London 2010 agenda for me was seeing Matt Bailey of SiteLogic give us a really top-to-bottom overview on the basics of Search Engine Optimisation. His clarity and amount of presentation energy is quite something! As a relative newbie to SEO myself, it became a mind-gym exercise to take it all in. Nevertheless, here is what did manage to sink in.

Verizon Wireless has partnered with Skype on a Skype mobile application that will launch on smartphones in March. The move makes Verizon the first major U.S. carrier to offer Skype to its mobile users. The Skype mobile app is for smartphone users who have a data plan with Verizon. Initially, Skype mobile will be available on smartphones with data plans including the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm 2, Curve, Droid by Motorola, Droid Eris by HTC and Motorola Devour.

Google and Yahoo have stepped up their opposition to a proposed Internet filter meant to protect children in Australia. Together, the two companies joined the Australian Library and Information Association and the Inspire Foundation, and set out some "Core Principles for Effective Action for a Safer Internet." All four organizations are concerned that a mandatory filter designed to block "Refused Classification" content will fail to be effective. Indeed,

As writers, inspiration is one of the most important out of the criteria for success. Without it, well, our writing ends up pretty lame. A huge percentage of blogs see their demise before the six month milestone. Why? Because people don't know what to write about â?" writing becomes a chore and when that happens, you might as well seal it in. Here are 10 ways to become a more motivated, effective, and inspired online writer. 1. More books,