Bigmouthmedia Search Engine News: /local-search/

Google launches Public Alerts

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:49:00 GMT

Maps just got smarter, as Mountain View announced the launch of Google Public Alerts.

Google Maps users will now be able to see relevant 'Public Alerts' when using the popular tool, getting warning of weather, public safety and earthquake alerts.

"Today marks the launch of a new Google Crisis Response project: Google Public Alerts, a platform designed to bring you relevant emergency alerts when and where you're searching for them," Public alerts engineer Steve Hakusa wrote on the Google blog.

The tool is designed to alert users to things that might be happening in their area - tornado warnings, for example - and provide information about where and when the disaster might occur, as well as how severe the storm is expected to be and where resources can be found to help.

"The Google Crisis Response team works on providing critical emergency information during crises. Our goal is to surface emergency information through the online tools you use everyday, when that information is relevant and useful," Hakusa said.

Users can search directly on Google maps for specific warnings in their area, or alternatively, can go directly to the Public Alerts Page, where users can find a list of current emergency warnings from around the world. Warnings are displayed as hotspots which users can hover over or click to view more information.

"We're learning as we go and we're working hard to continuously improve the range and relevance of the content you see," Hakusa said of the newly-launched service.

"We hope Google Public Alerts provides you with information to make better decisions in times of crisis."

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Google home page gets a makeover

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:48:00 GMT

A new year, a new look for Google's home page.

In a bid to simplify the page and improve user experience, the titans of search are rolling out one of the biggest home page changes to date.

The revamp takes away the black bar that currently runs horizontally across the top of the Google home page and replaces it with a grey logo.

When a user clicks or highlights the new logo, a drop-down menu appears offering seven alternative services to the site's search page, such as Gmail and YouTube.

Experts are speculating the change was designed to promote more of Google's businesses while still maintaining its preferred uncluttered and plain minimalist front page.

A spokesperson for Google said that the roll-out was also designed to improve user-experience.

"Constant revision and improvement is part of our overarching philosophy," he said. "If you compare the original Google home page to today's version, you will see that the makeover every so often can certainly be refreshing."

Additionally, analysts have noted that the home page change now requires two clicks to enter services, such as Images and News, which only previously required one. Though, this may be to the site's financial advantage.

According to Chris Green, principal technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group, "For years we've all be extolling the virtues of minimising the number of clicks and it would appear to be a retrograde step.

"But for the sake of clarity it's better having the extra click. What it also means is that, for most people, their first route into the Google universe will be back through the search bar again, which helps the firm expose more people to advertising."

As such, Google is also facing scrutiny for the way its services appear in its search results.

Last month, two U.S. Senators called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether Google was using its market power to steer users towards its own products. And, the European Trade Commission has examined claims that Google deliberately downgrades rival websites.

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Mountain View's Mad Men tweak mobile search ads

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:24:00 GMT

Mountain View's mad men seem to be burning the candle at both ends these days, as Google's suits have just rolled-out new mobile search ad formats hot-off-the-back-of the launch of the firm's new Dynamic Search Ads.

According to an official Google blog post, businesses and marketers will now be able to use search ads to better target and reach mobile-searchers as they use apps and carry-out local searches on-the-go.

Surojit Chatterjee, Google's senior mobile ad product manager, blogged that the firm would now be running customised in-app search ads to connect businesses and brands with searchers using a relevant mobile app - for example, a restaurant chain will now be able to run an a customisable search ad within a given restaurant-finding app.

Chatterjee also let slip that the firm will trial mobile app extensions so businesses can use mobile search ads to direct a searcher to a mobile shopping app (or related app) already installed on their device.

What's more, he also revealed that Google's mad men would be doing more to build local context into mobile ads to help businesses, marketers and advertisers capitalise on local search.

He explained that advertisers and marketers will now be able to target local searchers with circular ads featuring products, deals and special offers as well as with click-to-call ads and hyper local search ads (both launched a year ago).

Chatterjee also noted that proximity will now act as a mobile add ranking factor, with businesses that are physically closer to a mobile searcher's location likely to rank higher than businesses that are further away.

He added: "Mobile search helps people find what they need in a snap. Whether they're choosing between two restaurants, shopping for a new watch, or buying a movie ticket, people make better decisions when they have access to more information.

"Search ads are information - answers - and on mobile devices, they're able to connect people and businesses in new, useful and relevant ways."

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Google beefs up local offering with Zagat purchase

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:49:00 GMT

Google's made yet another addition to the ever-expanding Mountain View empire, this time in the form of Zagat, a heralded restaurant review service established over 20 years before Google became a household name.

Marissa Mayer, vice president of local, maps and location services for the search seraph, announced the acquisition on the Official Google Blog today.

"I'm thrilled that Google has acquired Zagat," Mayer said. "Moving forward, Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering - delighting people with their impressive array of reviews, ratings and insights, while enabling people everywhere to find extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences around the corner and around the world."

Meanwhile, Zagat posted its enthusiasm directly to its front page. The "dynamic duo" hopes to "optimise the potential of the Zagat brand while offering new ways for consumers to express their opinions and make informed decisions."

Zagat began its history of collecting and publishing consumer reviews in 1979, which the company said has empowered consumers. In the digital age, the company started dedicated websites for US cities such as New York, LA and Chicago, but also international cities such as London and Paris.

Google's long been on the lookout for consumer reviews to add to its repertoire, as evidenced by its stunted takeover bid for Yelp at the tail-end of 2009.

Such an acquisition in 2011 could potentially bulk up the firm's new social service, Google+, for check-ins, recommendations and more - ramping up competition with arch-rival Facebook.

But, for now, the technology will rest within the Google Local service portfolio.

"I'm incredibly excited to collaborate with Zagat to bring the power of Google search and Google Maps to their products and users, and to bring their innovation, trusted reputation and wealth of experience to our users," Mayer added.

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Daily deals slow down as Yelp trims sales team

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:12:00 GMT

Online urban guide Yelp announced yesterday it would downsize its daily deals team from 30 to 15, effectively cutting its local ads and daily deals sales team in half.

Launched in 2004, the social networking site allows users to find and write reviews about local businesses in their area, and last year expanded the service to include daily deals.

Businesses can also set up accounts on the site to offer deals on their products or services and encourage customers to write reviews.

Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman wrote on the Yelp blog: "Certain types of businesses have really benefitted from this wide exposure, and it's a breakthrough to finally be able to connect online marketing to offline consumers in the door."

However, appearing in daily deals promotions can be difficult for businesses who struggle to offer significant discounts on their products or services.

Stoppelman said: "We've also heard consistently from certain categories of businesses that daily deals are uneconomic for them, which does raise questions about the sustainability of '50 per cent off' daily deals for these types of businesses"

The news from Yelp comes fresh off the heels of Facebook also announcing the discontinuation of its four-month-old daily deals service, Facebook Deals.

Earlier this month, discount champion Groupon reported significant second-quarter losses and, according to Experian Hitwise, Groupon's web traffic dropped almost 50 per cent over the summer.

The news could indicate a cooling-off period in the daily deals market as smaller competitors struggle to keep up with major players, and industry giants Groupon and LivingSocial look for ways to stave off market fatigue and keep businesses and consumers interested in deals services.

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The digital wallet wars begin between Visa and Google

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Back in May, both Google and Visa separately announced their intentions to produce a so-called 'digital wallet'. Each firm's digital wallet, it was proposed, would take the form of a smartphone app that stores credit card and rewards information which allows people to use their phones to pay for items with a single swipe.

These digital wallets would utilise near-field communications technology, a form of short range wireless technology which will enable people to swipe their phone to make a payment, replacing the need to carry cards and a physical wallet.

Although other companies are planning to produce mobile payment systems and digital wallets in future, Visa and Google will be the first to put their systems out on the market in the next few months.

Google Wallet will be released at the end of summer and Visa's as-yet-unnamed product will be rolled out at some point in autumn.

However both systems appear to be strikingly similar. For example, both companies say that their respective digital wallets will be "open," so that they will eventually work with any credit card. Secondly, both companies also see big revenue prospects in using the digital wallet to promote location-based advertising through offers programs.

"We can see the transactions in real time, so consumers can receive alerts about offers from nearby merchants," said Bill Gajda, the head of Visa Mobile in an interview with Cnet.com.

Gajda also believes that these projects and the features they use will be dependent on the co-operation of mobile distributors: "Mobile operators are an important part of the chain, they are responsible for distribution of 90 per cent of the phones in the U.S. and they subsidize the handsets. So I think they have a lot to say in terms of what features get turned on or not."

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Londoners can now mind the gap with Google Maps

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:48:00 GMT

Google Maps announced that from today users will be able to search directions using the London Transport System.

The new feature aides users travelling around the city by giving step-by-step instructions of public transport connections and London Underground tube stops.

The feature, designed to be useful to both tourists and commuters, has been available in North American cities like San Francisco since 2009, but the new rollout is particularly significant because it covers London's 18,000 bus stops and 250 Underground stations.

Associate Product Manager, Transit Directions Thijs van As wriote: "Whether you use public transport every day or infrequently ... public transit directions in London make planning your trips more convenient."

People using Google Maps will be able to type their start and end points into the already popular browser, and by clicking 'Get Directions' will be given a list of possible routes based on the city's intricate transit system, making it easy for users to navigate between their favourite destinations efficiently.

Users can also receive directions to their phones with the Google Maps Mobile application, which uses GPS to locate users' mobiles and generate directions based on their current location, a welcome development for those looking for directions on the go.

Android users will have the advantage of up-to-the minute transport directions using the newly launched Transit Navigation in Google Maps, alerting users when they need to stay on board or change stops.

However, mobile app users will enter a blackout zone on the London Underground, where mobile phones are unable to maintain signal, leaving users in the dark until they return above ground.

The announcement, made on Google's Lat Long Blog, promised to provide users with the most direct route and multiple alternatives when possible, allowing users to decide which route will suit them best.

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October launch expected for Amazon tablet

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:37:00 GMT

Reports suggest Amazon will launch its much-anticipated tablet in October. Thanks to its current successes with the Kindle e-reader, the ecommerce firm will also launch the tablet alongside new Kindle models.

The tablet will likely use Google's Android operating system and experts expect it could be one tablet model that could challenge the Apple iPad. In addition, Amazon already has its own Android app store and sells movies and music for digital use. The Amazon tablet has been described as featuring a nine-inch screen but with no built-in camera.

Sources close to the matter suggested the tablet Amazon will release in October will be designed by an external company, though the company may also launch another model of its own design next year.

Sources at technology manufacturer Quanta also said that they're gearing up to produce 800,000 tablets per month for Amazon.

In related news, the Wall Street Journal reported that new Kindles, including a touchscreen model, were also set to be released later this year.

However, Amazon, in the past, has been keen to stress that it has no plans to replace the Kindle with a tablet.

"We will always be very mindful that we will want a dedicated reading device," Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told Consumer Reports earlier this year.

However, when pushed for more information on new products, Bezos would not comment.

"In terms of any other product introductions, I shouldn't answer."

On Thursday, Sony unveiled its own S1 and S2 tablets at an event in London. The devices are expected to be available from autumn. No demonstration units are currently available.

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Google integrates Offers to existing products as revenues top $9 billion

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:25:00 GMT

Google's Groupon rival's headed both mobile and social, as Mountain View's let slip plans to integrate Google Offers with Google Wallet and Google+.

According to PC Magazine, Stephanie Tilenius, Vice President of Google Commerce, outlined the plans at a recent MobileBeat conference.

The Google gal said Google Offers will also feature on Google Maps, bringing hyper-local deals to Google Maps' 200 million mobile users in a move that's bound to miff Foursquare, Groupon and Facebook.

"One of the things we are going to do with Google Offers and Google Wallet is embed them in our products," Tilenius said.

"So our new Google+ product, we're going to have it there - search and apps.

"Think about Google Maps, with 200 million mobile users. If you're living [in] an area, we're going to find offers. We'll work with all of our Google properties, they will be integrated, but it will take some time to get there."

The news comes after Google netted a whopping $9 billion during the first financial quarter following Larry Page's return to power.

According to BBC News, Google's net profit rose by 36 per cent to reach $2.5 billion, while revenues rose 32 per cent to reach $9 billion.

The results beat Wall Street estimates, prompting Jordan Rohan, a Stifel Nicolaus analyst, to dub the firm a "six-trick pony."

"Clearly, the combination of mobile search, Android, ad exchange, YouTube, and the core search businesses, they're all doing well," he said. "Google is no longer a one-trick pony. You might say six-trick pony if you count Google+."

And with Larry's sights firmly set on social and Google+'s usership swelling to 10 million, tech pundits expect more Google products to soon become integrated and ever-profitable social offerings.

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Google guns for Facebook with new social network Google+

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:12:00 GMT

Google's sights have long been firmly set on social. So much so, the firm's finally launched its own social network to rival Facebook - Google+.

Google last night published an official blog post announcing the launch of a beta version of Google+ - a social network that promises to better facilitate real-life sharing online.

"Online sharing needs a serious re-think, so it's time we got started," Vic Gundotra, Google's senior vice president of engineering, said while announcing a host of new features expected to distinguish Google+ from its Palo Alto rival.

Google+ is set to allow web users to share photos, messages and comments while also utilising Google Maps and Images through an integrated interface. However, the firm's supposedly gunning for Facebook with four new features: Circles, Hangouts, Huddle and Sparks.

Circles will allow users to group and cluster friends, while Huddle will facilitate group messaging; Sparks will connect individuals with common interests; and Hangouts will let friends drop in and out of live group conversations using live multi-user video conferencing.

While Google claims that "online sharing is awkward, even broken" and today's "rigid online tools" aren't properly equipped to convey the subtlety of real-life connections, the launch of Google+ is widely perceived as an attempt to grasp some of Facebook's social success.

The fourth-most valuable web property in the US and the second most visited in the UK, Facebook's number rose above 500 million active web users last summer.

Debra Aho Williamson, a principal eMarketer analyst, told the BBC that Google+ - even with its video chat, integrated Google features and social grouping quirks - could be hard-pressed to curb the cult of Facebook.

"People have their social circles on Facebook - asking them to create another social circle is challenging," Williamson said.

The analyst later added that social-savvy web users are likely to be sceptical of swapping Facebook for Google given the firm's social raspberries - Google Buzz and Google Wave: "The whole idea of a Google social network ... they've been throwing stuff against the wall for several years and nothing has stuck."

But, as Mountain View is making its social network available to a limited few in beta before launching a web-wide rollout , tech pundits will need to wait and see whether Google+ is fated to go the way of Buzz and Wave, or if video chat and integrated Google features will fire up a following.

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