What Is Conduit dot com?

1. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   I got a bump up in pageviews on one Hub today and saw that it was traffic sent by "search dot conduit dot com."  I had never heard of that, but when I investigated, I saw that it is operated by Google.  Can anyone tell me what it is and whether any emotional response would be appropriate?  Is this something that should make a Hubber happy, uncertain, worried?  As I said, I had never heard of it and am simply interested in knowing more.

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2. 69

   Peter Hogganposted 13 years ago

   I believe conduit.com let you make your own browser toolbars, didn’t know it was owned by Google though. So presumably you are getting found via this toolbar.
   
   If anyone has more information I would also be interested in finding out a little more.

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3. 60

   Ohmaposted 13 years ago

   Did not read it but here is their website http://www.conduit.com/AboutUs/Default.aspx

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   1. 69

      Peter Hogganposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I thought I knew what they did, however after reading their about us page I haven’t the foggiest idea what they do! A great example of how not to create an about us page.

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      1. 65

         Appletreedealsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         your comment prompted me to read it also.
         
         It's all very clear, the writer of that "About Us" page is very proud of his vocabulary of industry buzz-words. His effort was so successful I was able to read the whole page without reaching for the back-arrow. (or desire to know more about conduit.com)
         
         GA

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         1. 87

            Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            That's how I felt too.  I couldn't see why, if I created a "community toolbar", anyone would ever want to use it.  And as for apps, I don't even understand what they are if they're not on a phone.
            
            I came to the conclusion they're aiming at internet gurus who already know what they're talking about, not at the likes of us.

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4. 0

   askpowersposted 13 years ago

   exactly is allows us to make tool bar with more flexibility and also we can monetize that toolbar. Well, i've tried one and i really was amazed to see that many companies are using this toolbar for free.
   Well you too can try it out

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5. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Thanks, all, for the replies.  Ohma, thanks for the link!
   
   Peter, I reacted as you did.  I read their info, but I still have no clue as to what they do.  It looked like (but I couldn't tell whether) they are a Google-operated site like shetoldme and others.
   
   Askpowers, how does one monetize a toolbar?  What exactly does that mean?  (You need to understand that I am extremely new to the whole monetization process.)

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6. 87

   Marisa Wrightposted 13 years ago

   I got an invitation to become an affiliate for them.  Like you, I struggle to understand the concept. 
   
   The idea is that they allow you to create a toolbar which promotes your website.  I assume you then promote your toolbar to site visitors.

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7. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Okay, I just went and watched their video.  I'm so slow at this, I don't think I can explain what I just heard, but it's sort of starting to make sense to me.
   
   It's a way of getting the word out about your website or product (perhaps a bit like stumbleupon? - but I have only heard of that too, so I'm totally guessing), and it also provides a way to create your own apps, which I believe others can get from conduit; and yes, the build-your-own-toolbar option is there.  It sounds like it's trying to be as user-friendly as HP is, but with a different slant.
   
   My brain is tired from trying to understand it, so I'll stop here, other than to say that I had too many tabs open when I watched the video, and it stuttered a bit, but I could hear the audio smoothly when I minimized the window.

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8. 68

   bgamallposted 13 years ago

   I created a toolbar, and it had my pligg website and pligg info as a button. They banned it from the marketplace. It is a handy toolbar and I still use it, but I find these guys are in the dark ages, proprietary fuddy duddies if you will.
   
   They want to to create something but it can't be a hair controversial or promote another search engine even though Pligg doesn't do that. I think they are a weird group of people.

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9. 61

   shiri.gamonposted 13 years ago

   Greetings from Conduit & thanks for your feedback!  Came across your discussion and wanted to offer some answers –
   
   Conduit is a technology company.  We help anyone with content on the web connect with their users.
   
   We have over 220,000 customers, and over 100 million users worldwide have Conduit-powered products installed in their browsers.
   
   What we do – As a customer, the Conduit Platform allows you to create both stand-alone apps (think “iphone-like” but specifically for the browser) and branded community toolbars (offering a collection of apps all in one place in the browser).     
   
   This means that if a user has your app or community toolbar installed, they’re still connected with you even when they’re not directly on your website (for example, you can listen to a NY Yankee’s game on their branded toolbar, while you’re on another website, or be notified of a new Read Write Web blog post (from their app) while you’re on some other site, etc.)
   
   The technology is safe (certified by TRUSTe), and is being used by major brands such as TechCrunch, MLB, Travelocity, and others worldwide.
   
   The beauty of it –
   
   1.  It’s your brand on your users’ browsers.  Your logo, your content, your relationship.  You own the app and the community toolbar you build (we just offer the technology to power it)
   
   2.  You build it once and it’s compatible with all 4 browsers (IE, FF, safari for mac and chrome).  No maintenance required (we keep it up to date)
   
   3.  For the less-tech savvy out there, the wizard in the control panel is extremely user friendly, no programming skills required.  For the advanced users – our APIs allow endless opportunities. 
   
   4.  Advanced analytics are built in and easy to read.  You’re able to understand how your users are interacting with your brand, and what you can do to enhance that experience.
   
   5.  Using the platform is free, and there are even a couple of opportunities to monetize the relationship (a PPI-based rewards program, monetized apps, affiliate program, etc) 
   
   6.  In addition to access to your existing community, you can leverage the power of the network (those 100 million users, and 220,000 fellow publishers) to expand the reach of your brand via the Conduit App Marketplace (apps.conduit.com).
   
   There’s more, and I’m happy to share if anyone has additional questions…. 
   
   Aficionada –  Conduit-powered community toolbars include a Google-powered search box.  It can easily be customized to include community searches, etc., and that’s probably generating the increase in traffic to your site.

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   1. 49

      whoopdidooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      when i open my brower it starts now with conduit.com etc etc.  and my browere tends to quit more than it used to.  How can I just start with Google not conduit.com?

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10. 69

    Peter Hogganposted 13 years ago

    Shari, welcome. I think you should give some thought to commissioning a usability study of your site. Sorry, I do wish my first comment to you was more flattering.

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11. 60

    jtylerposted 12 years ago

    It is a service that allows you to make your own toolbars that can be distributed.  You can make money off of it if you use it right.  However, I don't see much use for it with hubpages alone.  I use it, but I also do stuff outside of hubpages.

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12. 58

    jameshellen78posted 12 years ago

    yep, it gives u the opportunity to create a toolbar or sth else like apps. it's alright but i do have some technical probs with it sometimes. i have however recently tried clubfinity.com 's toolbar and it works better, at least for me. it also is free

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