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Google Local, Definitions, & Registrar
A few Google bits in the bin this morning starting with Philipp Lenssen writes "Google Local has now moved to the Google homepage. The service, while still in beta, has been around for quite a while as one of many Google tools in the Google labs."
Mr. Anonymous noted that "In the past, when you clicked the [definition] link after a Google search, you'd be taken to the Dictionary.com page for the word. Now, Google has jumped aboard GuruNet's Answers.com, which not only provides definitions, but encyclopedia articles, etymology, medical defnitions, legal definitions, and word translations all on one page."
And lastly, several folks noted that Google has moved into the Domain Registrar Biz which we mentioned monday.
I could swear I read somewhere recently that at the moment, Google didn't plan on offering domains for sale. Instead, they were going to use the information they got as a registrar to help their PageRank data. For example, they could reset a domains PageRank when the domain changed hands.
I store my recipes online (the way nature intended)
It looks like Google Local is still US only ... and they keep ***ing redirecting me to the UK site so I can't even see the link to click it. (I'm not planning a trip to American in the near future - but I might have been).
sounds interesting..
looks like google wants to be a one stop shop for all their services. think about it.
a)You buy a domain and a site from google.
b) The site runs on GoogleOS
c) The customized firefox browser (GBrowser) has direct hooks to the different services google provides.
d)uses gmail as your hosted mail service and directly intergrates with Gbrowser.
e) Could have a file store directly integrated with Gbrowser.
f) Charge 9.95 for the package..
In the end they could capture all your information and still make it look like its yours.
For the past several weeks (if not months), you could access google local via any google web search.
For example, to find Pizza parlors in zip 10023, search for:
pizza, 10023
Hit the first link which is "Local results for Pizza near 10023".
Where law ends, tyranny begins -- William Pitt
It is about time. The other day when the new MSN search launched, I noticed that the Near Me button already knew where I was. Looks like Microsoft got this feature better - the results are initially based on your IP address which, in most cases, can be backtracked to your physical location. Of course, this can be changed via cookies as Google does it but it is quite impressive to make the local search work right, mostly, without being told.
Speaking of the Big-G, CNET is reporting that Google, now with a market value north of $56 billion, is equal to Starbucks, Nike and Southwest Airlines combined! I have the link to that article on my blog at: http://sundroid.blogspot.com/, in case you haven't checked your portfolio lately.
Sun and Fun
you can get definitions and local listings (and a few other services) by sending a text message to 46645 (GOOGL on most phones). Not totally worthwhile but i've used the definition feature to settle stupid debates with friends over words when no dictionary or computer was nearby. got my reply within like 30 seconds.
Take a look at google's privacy policy:
http://www.google.com/privacy.html under "Links".
Google reserves the right to use these tracking URLs.
In practice, I read somewhere (I forget where), this happens about 1/10 searches. So if you get one of these, try refreshing the page or coming back later.
And about Acrobat Reader -- there's a "Save a Copy" button in the menu bar.
We have always ranked very high for specific product name searches first page if not first result, until a recent tweak on Google, now they are around page 4. The generic terms for us are pretty competitive and we haven't focused on those yet, so we basically don't exist there.
Now I do list on froogle, but I doubt that has anything to do with it.
Of course with anything controlled by a third party, Your Mileage Will Vary.
Depending on which Google machine served your search results, you sometimes get tracking URLs. Google uses them to keep tabs on what people find most useful in the search results, and they're a great way to get rid of search engine optimizers that flood listings with PageRank-friendly but useless links.
For more information, click here.