Appears to be a trend of Web Analytics Companies buying up or Partnering with SEO/SEM companies to provide more comprehensive solutions.   I think today it was announced that WebTrends bought ClickShaft.  Last year HitWise bought a SEO/SEM company (forgot the name) and this year ClickTracks also bought an SEO/SEM company…..seeing a pattern grasshopper?

Well, it just so happens that WebSideStory & SEMDIRECTOR Partnered according to Web Analytics World.

I know a little bit about SEMDIRECTOR because Global Strategies INC are partnered with SEMDIRECTOR - and I know Bill Hunt who is head of Global Strategies …..therefore ….. it's seems like the Search and Analytics Industry is beginning to MERGE.    That's good for me as I'm an expert in both.

Seems like a lot of partnerships…..all over the place!

"…

“SEMDirector is pleased to announce this partnership and the integration between the SEMDirector portfolio of search marketing automation solutions and WebSideStory HBX Analytics. Today, the SEMDirector portfolio of search marketing automation solutions helps some of the world’s largest organizations and most recognizable brands to optimize paid search bid strategies and automate organic search engine optimization programs. Together these two suites deliver the most comprehensive and actionable information available in the market, explained Dema Zlotin, vice president of business development for SEMDirector, Inc.”

“SEMDirector technologies will leverage the visitor behavior information collected by HBX Analytics to make specific recommendations for improving paid bid strategies and increasing online advertising ROI. Using the integrated capabilities of HBX Analytics and WebSideStory Bid, our customers can then easily implement those recommendations on major pay-per-click networks.”