Web Definitions - September

Opt-in E-mail Marketing
Many Web marketers create a newsletter that offers content of value to the reader. The Web site asks visitors to subscribe to this newsletter. When they fill in and submit their e-mail address, they are said to be opting-in. The process of sending an e-zine or newsletter to people who have specifically requested to receive it is called opt-in e-mail marketing. It's a powerful, long-term relationship.

Stop Word
A word that often appears in Web pages, yet has no significance by itself. Most search engines ignore stop words while searching. Example of stop words are: and, the, of etc.

View Source
Both Netscape and Explorer allow you to see the HTML coding behind the actual Web page that you see with your Web browser software. The command is under the View menu. It's a terrific way to quickly learn how Web sites accomplish neat effects, what kind of keywords are used by your competition, etc., etc.

Google Acquires Social Gaming Company SocialDeck

Lending more credence to the rumor that Google is zeroing in on social networking, the search engine giant this week purchased social gaming company SocialDeck – its fifth acquisition this month.

"We started this company with the goal of connecting friends through social games on all kinds of exciting new mobile devices," SocialDeck wrote in a note on its Website. "We've been amazed and humbled by all of the stories and experiences our customers (you!) have shared with us."

The company did not elaborate on how SocialDeck will be incorporated into Google.

SocialDeck was founded in 2008 with a focus on the concept of "anywhere, anytime, anyone" gaming, according to the company's Web site.

SocialDeck has produced several games, including Color Connect, Pet Hero Puzzle, Shake & Spell, and Shake & Spell 3D. All titles are available through iTunes, with Shake & Spell also available for BlackBerry and on Facebook. All the apps are free, though there is a 99-cent version of Shake & Spell 3D available in the App Store as well.

The company also has a social-gaming platform known as Spark, which connects players across social games on iPhone, BlackBerry, and Facebook.

The SocialDeck purchase is the latest in a string of acquisitions for Google. Earlier this week, it purchased Ångströ, a small startup whose work ties together news and social contacts. Earlier this month, the company also acquired online retailer Like.com, virtual currency platform Jambool, and social game and app developer Slide.

In July, rumors emerged that Google would release its own social-networking site, dubbed Google Me, but the company has thus far not made any announcements.