The toolbar is free and only works with Internet Explorer 5.0 and runs on Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 or XP. The toolbar helps you find just what you're looking for online without returning to Google's homepage to perform new searches. Once installed on your system it automatically appears under the Internet Explorer toolbar.

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Google's toolbar offers these useful features:

Search Site: This function allows you to search the site you're using to find exactly what you're looking for.

Page Rank: Check Google's ranking of any page you're visiting.

Page Info: Allows you to access more information about a page including pages that link back to it and other similar pages. You can also highlight and find every instance of your search words as they appear on the page which may be helpful in your search optimization efforts.

The new voting system that has been added is not readily apparent after installing it. If you have Google's old toolbar installed you'll also need to uninstall it before installing this beta version.

To get the new smiley face ranking system to show up on the bar, you'll need to click on Google's logo located on the far left and choose "toolbar options." Scroll down to "page information" and put a check mark in the "voting buttons" box. Save your changes and look at the bar again. It should now contain a happy face and a frowning face. These faces allow you to rate websites as you visit them, in essence giving them a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down."

So far Google is saying this new voting system is simply a test, but if they do keep it and start using it to rank pages on their site it could make a major impact on search optimization firms and others who are trying to get a top Google listing.

Sort of reminds me of my elementary school days and the stickers the teachers would put on my homework. So what rating is your site going to get, a happy or a sad face?

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Lycos Jumps on 'Pay for Inclusion' Bandwagon

Seems as if all of the major search engines these days have instituted a policy of pay for inclusion, and it appears Lycos is no exception. In a few weeks they'll be launching their own paid inclusion program. Lycos boasts big numbers, claiming over 40 million users; making them a competitive player in the search engine games.

The exact launch date has not been announced, but you can sign up to be notified by email when it is and also receive special introductory submission pricing.

Lycos will be offering two levels of service:

1) Lycos InSite Select: This guarantees your site's inclusion within 48 hours of submission along with a full refresh of your site every 48 hours. They'll also send you a "personalized site submission report" so you can see what has been indexed and when. It also includes access to "Search Services Central"which allows you to review your billing, make any changes or contact their support department. As an added bonus they give you a free subscription to their ezine, featuring tips and information on how to maximize your website traffic.

2) Lycos InSite Pro: This service includes all of the features of the "InSite Select" service plus the benefit of a remotely hosted search function for your website. They give you the code to add to your site so your guests can search your site quickly and find what they're looking for. The site search results page can be customized to match your site's colors and you can even add your own logo.

Pricing for both of the new services has not been disclosed yet. For those of you who are counting your pennies, have no fear, as they're still allowing free submissions which is now being called "Lycos InSite Lite". Inclusion takes 4 to 6 weeks and there's no guarantee you'll be listed at all. Go to AddaSite to submit your site.

Seeing so many of the search engines charging for submissions makes me yearn for the good old days when submissions were free. There are only a handful of engines and directories left that you can still submit to without a fee. I guess nothing good lasts forever, especially when it comes to the search engines and the Net.

For more on Lycos's new services, or to sign up to be notified when they go live with it, go to: Lycos Search Services.