Today we reach the final entry in our series of posts running up to the launch of Windows 8. We’ve taken in an in-depth look at how features in the new OS could help Bing become more popular! We’ve explored user accounts, apps, synchronisation, charms, Windows Phone and searching. There’s one more thing to look at before this series comes to an end: sharing.
- Part 1 – Start Screen and Windows RT
- Part 2 – User Accounts and Synchronisation
- Part 3 – Browser Apps and Windows Phone 8
- Part 4 – Desktop Search and Bing Apps
- Part 5 – Getting Social
Sharing
If you’ve been paying attention to the Vertical Leap blog, you’ll be well aware how important we consider social media. Gone are the days when all you needed was links to do SEO; it’s 2012 and Google knows link building is one of the methods SEO companies have abused.
The rise of social media has led to a different way of giving your website a vote of confidence; likes, tweets and pluses are becoming vital signals in search algorithms. Social signals are so important that Google have even devoted a section of Webmaster Tools to showing how +1’s are having an impact on your search results. Social signals are an obvious successor to link building and you can always hear everyone at Vertical Leap preaching about the importance of encouraging social sharing.
Share buttons are one of the first things I make sure people have on their websites. Even if you “don’t do social” or “don’t have time” (excuses excuses!), adding buttons helps your customers and fans share your products or website without your involvement. Many browser plug-ins have made sharing pages even easier, but now the functionality is being built directly into the WinRT environment.
From the charms bar you can hit Share to send a link via email or (the bit I like) on to Facebook or Twitter via the People app. If you’ve installed an app like Tweetro for Twitter, you can also share straight to that.
A little annoyingly the Share charm doesn’t integrate into desktop programs; however it’s nice seeing this integration in the WinRT apps.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… We have lift off!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. I can appreciate that many Apple and Google devotees may have been unable to handle five days of posts about a Microsoft product but for those of you that made it to the end – well done!
Not only does today mark the final post in this series, this is also the official launch day of Windows 8. We’ve more excitement to come with the release of Windows Phone 8, plus devices such as the Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro.
I’ve attempted to cover some of the most significant ways in which Windows 8 may influence search and encourage people to start using Bing, however I’m sure I’ve missed a few points. I’d love to see your suggestions in the comment box below so please let me know what else you’ve spotted! Please keep it flame free and remember our focus is search rather than reviewing the new OS or comparing with competing products from Google and Apple.
Conclusions
Despite all my speculation during the past week, no single innovation will help Microsoft gather users for Bing if the operating system doesn’t sell. My research online shows that industry opinion on the new OS is currently split, with a lot of people praising performance but hating other aspects such as the new start screen, and lack of integration between the start screen and the desktop. The OS has been both praised and condemned, with a sizeable number likening it to Windows Vista and ME. For myself, once I’d adjusted to the changes I quite liked it, but only time will tell if others feel the same.
This series has been pure speculation and it’s unlikely that Windows 8 will herald a mass exodus of people from Google. Despite this, I’ve enjoyed looking at the changes and ways Microsoft could increase their number of users. It’ll be interesting to see how things develop and I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments below!
- Part 1 – Start Screen and Windows RT
- Part 2 – User Accounts and Synchronisation
- Part 3 – Browser Apps and Windows Phone 8
- Part 4 – Desktop Search and Bing Apps
- Part 5 – Getting Social
