After recently visiting the US, Google has now arrived in UK with its search services that offer local listings along with maps and accurate driving directions to users in that area.
Furnishing local business data from Yell.com, the commercial telephone directory company, and deriving local information from Google’s eight-billion document index, Google Local UK will provide its users with local information, business listings and web pages when they search for any location; a postcode or area, street name, stations or airports in London, restaurants etc.
Users can simply type in for a search in the two boxes, “what” and “where” and avail the local service directory. Keywords related to their search of location, for instance, typing ‘camera’ and ‘W1’ if they are looking for camera shops in London W1, will give them a list of all the camera shops in that area along with the phone numbers, addresses, map flagging locations and a link to a related site for more details.
Likewise, Google Maps help a user by giving accurate directions between two destinations in the country. This local search service by Google is the result of a partnership between Google UK and Yell.com, which is the online division of the Yellow Pages. Furthermore, Google's text messaging service, Google SMS is also available for users to make a search inquiry at 64664. Almost all cell phone operators in the country provide this service.
The introduction of this Local search service is being expected to augur potential growth prospects for online advertisers since small and medium businesses with a confined geographic reach will also be encouraged to make investments in online marketing. According to US research firm, the Kelsey Group, the local search market would grow to be $3.4bn after a period of five years.
Moreover, these novel services provided by the search engine is yet another leap in its race in the search arena amongst other players like Microsoft, Amazon, Ask.com and the like who are all striving to grab the maximum cream of the advertising revenue cake. As VP, European operations at Google, Nikesh Aurora said, “Google Local UK combines business listings and relevant information from across the web to deliver a powerful and easy-to-use source of local information. It also enables Google AdWords advertisers to reach customers searching for businesses, products and services in their area.”
Meanwhile, Kate Burns, Google UK MD spoke about the power war waging amongst various search engines saying that, “It's encouraging that search is being taken so seriously by so many top brands and it can only be good for the user”. She added that competition in the market would definitely favour the internet user with competitors offering the best of facilities and services to the users in their bid to lead the race.
Posted
on : Fri, 22 Apr 2005 00:00 GMT | Business News
By : Paula Jenkins
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