On keeping up with search

During my presentations I always try to provide a little update on the world of search.  And folks often ask, how did you discover that?

One of several things that separates TLs from other techie types in our buildings is our interest in things searchy.  I want to function as a scout in that arena.

In order to be a scout, I have to stretch, to read the discoveries of experts outside of my lovely #tlchat and #edtech networks, which are both exciting and comfy.

And though I don’t really care about all the details of the business of search and SEO (search engine optimization), I find myself scanning blogs, sites, and Twitter feeds, of the broader world of search.

So how does a librarian keep up with the dynamic landscape of the world of search?

Here are a few sites and Twitter feeds to consider following in no particular order:

Pandia is a portal that links to a wide variety of search blogs, as well as Search Engine News. @pandianews labels its Twitter feed everything search and social.

Google offers a bunch of fascinating blogs, many are must-reads for any information professional.  Among them:

• Official Google Blog @googletech insights from Googlers into all things Google
• Inside Google Books @googlebooks Google book news
• Inside Search the official Google search blog
• Google Mobile Blog @GoogleMobile from the Google Mobile Team
• Google Scholar Blog @  info about Google Scholar
• Google Students @googlestudents News and updates for students
• Google Blog Directory is a list of all of the Google blogs

@googleos Not affiliated with Google, and often a bit edgy, this site and its feed often break news and tips before many other sources.

@mashable is the largest independent news source dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world.

@RWW This widely read blog has been around since 2003 and is one of the most popular technology blogs in the world, known for offering insightful analysis about each day’s Internet industry news. Consider also following RWW’s lead writer http://marshallk.com or @marshallk

@techcrunch is a leading technology media property, dedicated to obsessively profiling startups, reviewing new Internet products, and breaking tech news

@sewatch provides tips and information about searching the web, and analysis of the search engine industry.

@OReillyMedia Perhaps best known for its technology books, O’Reilly’s portal and feeds focus on technology trends that really matter and galvanizing their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.

@seroundtable calls itself the Pulse of the Search Marketing Community

@sengineland Led by search authorities Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) and Chris Sherman (@cjsherman), Search Engine Land is the industry’s leading online publication for the latest search news, research and anaylsis, commentary and expert advice.

@infotoday offers journal and books for the information technology and library professionals. Our goal is to provide users and producers of information, knowledge and content management products and services with the information they need to do their jobs as effectively as possible. Among the many available blogs are Library Stuff @librarystuff and Online Insider.

Filed under: Google, information literacy, professional development, search tools