This just in…Google takes local search and integrates it into main index…it’s not a tab, following instead Danny’s invisible tabs stategy….Have not had a chance to really play with this, though this link is for “Pizza Kentfield” and shows our local pizza joint first. Gary has done some testing, and he reports it needs more work…..Press release in extended entry below. (Reuters story here)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOOGLE CONNECTS SEARCHERS WITH LOCAL INFORMATION Innovative
Feature Combines Traditional Business Listings with Local Resources Drawn
From Google’s Index of More than 4.2 Billion Web Documents
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – March 17, 2004 – Google Inc. today announced the
integration of local search results into Google.com with the availability of
Google Local. This new feature enables users to find relevant local
information with neighborhood business listings, maps, directions, and
useful web pages.
Google Local represents the next step in local search technology. Now, users
can search beyond traditional sources of local information, such as the yellow
pages and local business listings, to reach a greater diversity of local
resources drawn from the web at large. This innovation demonstrates
Google’s commitment to developing products that make it faster and easier
for people to search across diverse sources of information from a single
search box.
“Google’s goal is to connect searchers with the information they need
whether it’s half-way around the world or in their neighborhood,” said
Sergey Brin, co-founder and President, Technology of Google Inc. “Google
Local combines a wide array of sources including Google’s more than 4
billion web page index, to produce the deepest local search.”
Google Local search functionality is integrated into Google.com so relevant
local information for specific keywords or locations is automatically presented
to users at the top of search results pages. When these results are available,
they are marked by a small compass icon which, when clicked, connects
users to a Google Local search results page.
For example, users searching for a pizza restaurant in their neighborhood
simply enter the keyword [pizza], and either a zip code or the name of a
town or city [Palo Alto] into the search field to receive a comprehensive list
of local pizza restaurants. Each result is accompanied by a phone number,
street address, and a list of related websites such as those of local pizza
restaurants, store reviews, and related information. Clicking on a business
name delivers a new page featuring an easy-to-read map, directions, and
more related web pages. If needed, users can limit or expand their results to
include listings within a 1-mile, 5-mile, 15-mile, or 45-mile radius of a
specific location.
Google searches its entire collection of web pages to pinpoint geographic
information that is relevant to a user’s query. Google combines this
information with comprehensive local business, map, and service information
drawn from a wide variety of U.S. databases such as the yellow pages and
other sources. Today, Google Local connects users to U.S.-based local
information. The company plans to include local information for international
markets in the coming months.
Google Local, currently in beta, is the latest in a number of recent
innovations that enhance the utility of Google as a resource connecting users
to a wide variety of information sources. In addition to local information,
Google recently integrated flight tracking, UPS and Federal Express package
tracking, zip code information, and UPC code search into Google.com. A
complete list of Google.com search features can be found at:
http://www.google.com/options/.
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around
the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D.
students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in
all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program, which is
the largest and fastest growing in the industry, provides businesses of all
sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience
for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout
North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit
www.google.com.
# # #
Google is a trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names
may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are
associated.
Contact:
Nathan Tyler
Google Inc.
650-623-4311
nate@google.com
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