Attempting to beef up its ecommerce offerings, Microsoft acquired Greenfield Online, owners of the shopping engine, Ciao.   Back in June, Greenfield Online announced that it was being acquired by Quadrangle Group, a private equity firm, for $426mm.  Microsoft made a better offer of $486mm and Greenfield therefore terminated its agreement with Quadrangle.  According to the company statement, Microsoft will sell off Greenfield’s survey business, so this is all about comparison shopping in Europe.  First Cashback (US), now Ciao (Europe)…what’s next?

More info at Paid Content.

I’m moderating and speaking on a panel today at Search Engine Strategies.  Topic (of course) is Shopping Search.  Greg Hintz, Brian Mark, and Aaron Shear of Boost Search Marketing are joining me.  Here’s my 1-page presentation.

As Barry Schwartz over at SEORoundtable pointed out last week, Google seems to be moving around product search results on Google.com.  I’ve noticed this more and more over the last week.

Here’s a search for ‘red sweater’:

I hope this is just a test. I find this extremely confusing compared to the normal OneBox placement at the top of the search engine results page:

Looks like MeziMedia (Smarter.com) is extending past SEO and PPC.  Is Google finally cracking down?  The company has an email marketing and display media position open.

Become will be adding display media soon.  The company has a display media sales position opening.

Google is looking for a Product Search Associate.  Yes, there are real people who work on Base/Product Search/Shopping/Froogle. 
Microsoft needs a BizDev Manager to on-board the IR 50 to its Cashback program.