Search

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of travel search, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on Google, other search engines, strategies, executives and role in the market.

News / Online

HostelWorld puts real-time travel planning and booking into Google Wave

By Kevin May | May 20, 2010

With wonderful timing, Hostelworld has unveiled what is believed to be one of the first major real-time collaboration, travel search and booking engines for Google Wave. Read More

News / Online

InsideTrip finally comes out of Beta with string of new features and bold statements

By Kevin May | May 20, 2010

Almost two years in the making, InsideTrip has emerged from its beta testing period with what it claims is a full service search engine that incorporates many other elements of a journey. Read More

News / Online

Fodors puts faith in image search for European channel launch

By Kevin May | May 12, 2010

If image-based search is the next big thing, as many might have us believe, then travel guide giant Fodor's is listening. Read More

News / Online

What are the top UK travel sites in Google when searching for hotels?

By Kevin May | May 6, 2010

Wonderfully detailed statistics from Greenlight Search outlining the most effective travel sites in the UK when it comes to visibility in search for hotels. Read More

Google unveils new search design, filters have a travel feel about them

By Kevin May | May 5, 2010

Step back and wait for the furore - Google has just released its new search page layout. Read More

News / Online

Four types of non-destination based search and what it means for online travel

By Tim Hughes | April 30, 2010

The future of online travel is that the industry is moving from a transaction fulfilment model to platforms, systems, content and technology that cover the whole spectrum of the travel cycle/funnel/bow... Read More

News / Online

Google and ITA Software deal is HOT, originally scheduled for April-close

By Kevin May | April 28, 2010

Huge speculation about Google courting ITA Software continues, but will no doubt intensify with detail suggesting the deal is expected to close this week. Read More

News / Online

Taking the StumbleUpon idea and putting it in travel

By Kevin May | April 26, 2010

FunTouristAttractions might appear to be (yet) another content-heavy travel website - but the new site has included a rather unique feature inspired by bookmarking site StumbleUpon. Read More

News / Online

Stats - Big travel brands do not dominate natural search in Google

By Kevin May | April 26, 2010

Some interesting figures from UK digital agency Greenlight Search which shows that size and brand does not matter when it comes to exposure in natural search results. Read More

News / Online

Google puts user reviews and ratings into AdWords

By Kevin May | April 23, 2010

Google users will soon see consumer reviews and product ratings placed inside Google AdWords as yet another slice of the search engine's "experimentation" is revealed. Read More

News / Online

Apple wants to be the ultimate travel assistant with iTravel

By Kevin May | April 22, 2010

If it wasn't enough that Google is rumoured to buying travel technology company ITA Software, then this next move by Apple may just finish a few people off completely. Read More

News / Online

Panic for most, joy for a few as rumour of Google-ITA Software deal intensifies

By Kevin May | April 21, 2010

Rumours of a deal for Google to buy ITA Software have swept around the industry for weeks, but nobody close to the pair has agreed to go on the record. Read More

News / Online

MyTravelGoogle nothing to do with Google, just cheeky opportunism

By Kevin May | April 19, 2010

The ordinary traveller might be excited to hear about this intriguing website known as MyTravelGoogle, especially as it has started appearing in search results. Read More