Each search engine uses a different algorithm—the software that determines which pages turn up for any search. That’s why results on Google are different from those of Bing, and other competing search engines. As a significant business asset, these algorithms are kept secret, though it is suspected they receive updates often. Generally, the updates are minor, and difficult for the average user to notice. Google rolled out an update last week, but this one was different, and people took notice.

Changes may be in the works in laws covering the collection or use of data that can be connected to website visitors, whether it is a specific person or simply tied to a device such as computer, or mobile phone. Yesterday, Federal Trade Commission staff issued a press release outlining the commission’s recommendations for overhauling how businesses handle online privacy issues.

Get more opinionated online and it can help you get better customer service. The social media analytics service Klout is quantifying your social influence, so develop your networks and reap the rewards!

An email concerning a "Notice of Internet Intellectual Property Rights Dispute in China" seems to be traveling around the Internet recently, spurring a number of clients to contact DesignHammer inquiring what to do. The email in questions seems pretty official. Is it true, SPAM, or a scam? Let's consider the possibilities.

Last week as part of Internet Week events in New York City, Mashable presented their very first Mashable Media Summit. The day was full of an excellent array of speakers from organizations such as Starbucks, CNN, Foursquare, The Red Cross, and included a special presentation from Edward Norton to introduce his new philanthropy website, Crowdrise. Here is a brief summary of Ricky Van Veen's presentation on the "10 Web Content Urban Legends," which could also be appropriately titled, "Guidelines for Creating Great Web Content."

Privacy issues aside, what is Facebook offering to its users that people are spending an average of 7 hours per month on the site?

The tax collection battle between Amazon and the State of North Carolina has heated up again, with America’s largest online retailer filing suit to block a demand to turn over customer records. Is this a battle over privacy, or simple economics?

Recently, a mom in the UK received a huge shock when she discovered her 12 year-old son used his savings and her credit card to spend a total of $1,400 playing the Facebook application game Farmville. Here is some advice to parents who want their children to enjoy themselves, but seeking to avoid a surprise smack to the wallet.

The Wall Street Journal posted an interesting article on Changing Face of Social Networks earlier this week, suggesting “five years is a lifetime for the average teenager’s habits,” citing the rise of MySpace, until its eclipse by Facebook two years later as an example. Current research indicates that the trend continues, with facebook usage by 18–24 year-olds diminishing over the last three months.

The mobile devices market moves so quickly it’s often hard to keep up and while some industries enjoy a certain amount of brand loyalty, technology lovers are a fickle group. Blackberry has maintained a significant following for several years and although it is still the popular choice for many business-oriented users, iPhone has taken the market by storm and gained a huge amount popularity this past year.  While not the only available touch screen Smartphone, it has been the best marketed. Until now, that is.