Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

Will Stricter Laws Regarding Software Patents Nullify Search Algorithms and Google PageRank?
Greg Sterling shares a blog post from the Patent Law Blog that says that “the Patent and Trademark Office has now made clear that its newly developed position on patentable subject matter will invalidate many and perhaps most software patents, including pioneering patent claims to such innovators as Google, Inc.” Does this mean that PageRank and search algorithms are going to be dissolved under these new restrictions — since the claim is that they may
The Google Content Network: Not That Bad After All
Many people who use Google AdWords will opt out of the content network because they feel that since people are not actively searching when they find ads in the content network, they conversion rates will be lower. But in a recent WebmasterWorld thread, Roger Montti explains that the content network isn’t as bad as it’s hyped up to be. The important thing is that it’s really different from the search network. Roger points out that
Google’s Governmental Search Engine: Uncle Sam
Did you know that Google has a search engine related to governmental queries? Google’s Uncle Sam search engine includes White House news, top governmental stories, American Forces Information Services, the Washington Post, and more. The search engine also searches .gov sites only. It’s pretty useful for “official” information, and one forum member who is a political science student is particularly thankful for a search engine that is targeted to such queries that are related to

Will Google Buy Social News Site Digg for $200 Million?
CNET and a number of other blogs report that Google may buy social news site Digg for approximately $200 million. This has been something we’ve been eying for awhile, with Reuters photographing Digg CEO Jay Adelson with Larry Page of Google (as seen in Valleywag). As a former Digg addict myself (with an emphasis on the “former”), I guess I wonder what Jill Whalen wonders on a Sphinn submission: why would they want it? Many
Google’s Cache Database Back On Track?
A WebmasterWorld thread had reports that Google had all old cache dates for most sites on the web. By old, I mean, the last time Google said they “retrieved” the site was on the 15th or 16th and it was already the 22nd before Google showed new cache dates. Here is a screen capture of what the cache date looked like on many sites: Google is known for having fairly frequent cache dates and crawling
More Inappropriate Images Popping Up in Google Web Search
Conduct a search for educating in Google and you will see an image of a teacher standing over a student holding a small rod, with the student’s pants down leaning over a desk. This is not what one would expect to be seen for a search on educating. At least, I would not want to see this for a search like that and I would not want your kids to see it. Clearly I find

Are Small Businesses Giving Up on Google AdWords?
An interesting thread at WebmasterWorld has discussion on the topic of less small businesses using Google AdWords. The thread create, senior member, annej, said: I have a hobby related site and use AdSense. Ads from small online businesses were especially interesting to my visitors as they sell the hobby supplies. These small business ads have decreased. I’m wondering if there is a reason. Have recent changes in AdWords affected small businesses? Or is the sinking
Happy Hot Dog Day
Just to liven things up a bit, we decided to put up a special theme for today. Today is supposedly National Hot Dog Day, so hence, the hot dog theme. Here is a picture for archive purposes: Doesn’t that make you hungry? Last year we celebrated the day with a theme as well, which can be seen over here. Happy Hot Dog Day! Forum discussion at Search Engine Roundtable Forums.

Other Great Search Forum Threads:

Green bars have been removed from Google keyword selector, Search Engine Watch Forums
Pr0 one way links to your site usefull in any way?, WebmasterWorld
Sphinn Adds Nofollow To Upcoming, Sphinn
Twitter Backlink Tip, Sphinn
Twitter Status From Past Is Rankable, HighRankings Forums
Walking directions now available!, Google Groups
What is in Google’s algorithm, Search Engine Watch Forums
Yahoo Q2 Sales Up, Profits Down, WebmasterWorld