Welcome to another weekly edition of Search and Social updates — packed with announcement, alliance, disputes and axing down services or products, from Silicon Valley’s tech leaders like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL, Bing and others, as well as many more interesting Search Engine Optimization news from across the web…

Facebook Offering Incentives–Now Pays Users 10 Cents To Watch Video Ads
In an attempt to bolster up its recently launched deals program, popular social media networking giant Facebook over the weekend introduced a new program that will now reward users who watch certain ads with Facebook Credits, the company’s virtual currency, which can be redeemed to purchase goods on Facebook Deals, the company’s new Groupon-like… Read More

Adobe Unveils Creative Suite 5.5 Targets iPad With Photoshop Support
Adobe Inc. is craving to capitalize on the tablet craze, opened a new chapter today as it announced the availability of its mid-cycle upgrade to its development and design software, Creative Suite 5.5., which now includes tools to target the Apple iPad, Android and BlackBerry tablets… Read More

Google Experimenting With Redesigned Search Results Page
Google users are grumbling over what appears to be a part of the test group of users that the Internet search engine giant Google has been using as digital guinea pigs for a redesign of its search results page, which features a new color scheme along with a lot more white space… Read More

Microsoft TV Ads To Target Old PCs — Opens A Store In Skeptic’s House
Well, this is what it takes to convince somebody to upgrade a PC these days? Microsoft is adopting a novel approach to selling its Windows 7 operating system by opening stores in people’s homes, the company’s new campaign is meant to persuade consumers to give up their older Windows PCs in favor of the latest versions running Windows 7… Read More

YouTube Unveils 3,000 Full-Fledge Movie Offerings, Challenging Netflix
After more than a year of rumors that it was on the verge of launching a significant online movie rental service, Google owned popular video sharing site YouTube has moved to bolster the appeal of its outlet by expanding into streaming professionally produced full-length movies through… Read More

Microsoft Shell-Out $8.5 Billion To Grab “Skype” From Google’s Jaws
A week after rumors started swirling that Google and Facebook are vying to get Skype, the Redmond Vole has walked in and scooped away the real-time communications company for a cool $8.5 billion in an all-cash deal. This could be the most expensive call Microsoft Corp. has ever… Read More

Google Introduces Image Search With Sort By Subject Option
Looking for an image but unable to find it on Google? For people who adopt Google’s Image Search to find photos and graphics should now have an easier time zeroing in on just the right ones. The search titan is turning on a new sorting option for Google Images that lets you sort… Read More

Facebook Unveils Page Tagging In Photos — Show Their Love For Brands
Internet’s favorite social media network Facebook on Wednesday, announced a new photo-tagging feature that empowers users identify people or objects that have their own Facebook Pages, this will certainly make brands and celebs happy… Read More

Facebook Forges Alliance With Web Of Trust — To Keep Your Profile Safe
On the heels of a massive PR shitstorm, popular social media outfit Facebook on Thursday announced that they have partnered with the Web of Trust, a community driven warning service provider to help users avoid clicking on dubious internet links to ensure that your profile stays… Read More

Yahoo Debuts Smart Ads On Homepage — In Video Format
Having appropriately beefed up the technology underlying its Smart Ads program, internet pioneer Yahoo is rolling out a refurbished dynamic ads product out on its homepage and is stepping up its sales efforts for a video version of the same platform that can target consumers based on information such as location, age, gender and online behavior… Read More