Here is today's AuctionBytes online-auction news roundup.

Dave Pasternack of Did-it.com editorializes in DM News about the Hitwise report that shows eBay's traffic was up during its test (or boycott) of Google AdWords, "Did EBay pay a half billion dollars for nothing?" In his commentary, he wonders if eBay spent way too much money on Google AdWords over the past 5 years ("If Hitwise's numbers are accurate, eBay's current management, including its in-house search team, should be fired tomorrow,..."). He also comments that the world depends on numbers produced by metrics companies, but "there's absolutely no guarantee that the numbers upon which such decisions are based have a verifiable correlation to reality." Full article available at http://www.dmnews.com/cms/dm-news/search-marketing/41591.html.

Greg McHale founded cMarket, the online auction platform for nonprofits. Good2gether is his latest site, he said it's all about leveraging the power of the media - newspapers, TV, radio, magazines, and beyond - to connect people to causes. A teaser site is up at http://www.good2gether.com.

The Official Google Checkout blog reminded sellers they can "Increase sales with Google Product Search." http://googlecheckout.blogspot.com/2007/06/increase-sales-with-google-product.html

A new report from Outsell says Google can enter the publishing industry at any time with the flip of a switch. "News publishers and providers, book and magazine publishers, and directory providers are all in Google's line of fire,” said Leigh Watson Healy, Chief Analyst, Outsell,... Google has assembled technologies that extend along the entire spectrum of publishing's core functions - from content acquisition to ecommerce and royalty payments. The report is available at http://www.outsellinc.com/store/products/506?refid=home.

UK Traders Beware: eBay UK is warning traders that a strike action will disrupt Royal Mail postal services on June 29. "Members who are trading around the time of the strike should bear in mind that payments and items being sent by post are likely to be delayed. If you think that the payment or item you are sending will be affected by the strike, it is advisable to inform the person you are trading with. If you are waiting for payment or delivery of an item, please be patient." eBay's announcement can be found at http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200706261824022.html.

"eBay Isn't The Only Auction Site: Auction sites most useful when used with focus," by Rachel Coleman, Practical Ecommerce, 7/26/07
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/508/eBay-Isnt-The-Only-Auction-Site

"Antique Dealers Snub Ebay to Sell Their Treasures," Press release issued by Pheebay.com, 6/27/07
http://www.pr-inside.com/antique-dealers-snub-ebay-to-sell-r161877.htm

"Haggling 2.0: With more Web retailers willing to bargain, clothing shoppers are learning to wheel and deal," By CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN, Wall Street Journal, 6/23/07
Paid subscription required.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118255205820645299.html

"Own Griff's Blinding Mylar Jacket," posted on eBay's Chatter blog, 6/26/07
http://www.ebaychatter.com/the_chatter/2007/06/own-griffs-blin.html