Google has made some updates to local targeting for AdWords in 11 countries. Here in the United States, Google notes that it has recently changed its metro targeting areas to Nielsen DMA (Designated Market Areas) regions. “Now your online campaigns …

Update: Google says its new ad formats are "the next chapter in search advertising", and its "AdWords New Ad Formats Initiative" will focus on two themes:

Shelling out $240 million for a 1.6 percent stake in Facebook may be Microsoft’s way of keeping Google away from the social networking site, but the deal may not be worth the money unless Microsft can get Live Search into the service.

Interesting Netratings data on ClickZ for the month of December 2006.