Google Is Doing More Than Indexing The Web, They’re Making Their Own
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While I pretty constantly feel I’m in a constant grappling match with Google and their engineers, I really do respect them on so many levels. But perhaps most of all, is their general “business plan”, and how they implemented it. They are no longer indexing the internet. They are making one of their own.
The True Genius Of It
When Google started, even if they had the resources they do now, they could not have created what they have now. When Google started, search engines, and especially caching content, were dubious at best. As time went on, they were allowed more and more leeway with the information they gathered from websites(out-out, of course). They no longer just linked to dictionary sites, they added the “define:” command. They no longer just linked to local businesses, they gave them a section above the search results themselves. Things like this would not have been ok before; Google waited until popular opinion and the almost (dare I say it?) omnipotence of Google was firmly established in the global consciousness.
Essentially, they invalidate the largest websites and niches using their information and market share. Whenever some (non-viagra) niche is doing too well, they replace it.
Breaking Down Their “Tools”, and Their Purpose
- E-Commerce
- Google Checkout - There is no business that makes money like the money business. Stepping into Paypal’s shoes, this service is not massive…yet. I have an odd feeling the plans for this are future-based
- Froogle - An invasion upon the various comparison shopping websites(remember when MySimon was huge?).
- Google Base - Call it CraigsList2.0. It even has personal ads.
- Music Search - Try Searching for “The Decemberists Album”. You’ll see yet another top bar ahead of the search results. This is their way of driving traffic to Google Base. But it once again shows that they’re gaining some decent AI about product searches. Not only searching information, but understanding it.
- Google Pages - Google’s free hosting setup. Why is this under e-commerce? Read the next section and you’ll understand…
- Information Centralization
- Google Reader - A central location to access all websites you would not normally have to search for. Takes the place of (well, other RSS readers), but also type in traffic and bookmarks.
- Local Search - Invalidates the need for a small business website(in the eyes of many). At the top of any search result, it shows business addresses, phone numbers, and busienss names.
- Knols - Brings the information of Wikipedia into the “Google” fold. With the information they have organized and indexed, it’s easy to bring it together. Ties in lovely with the define: Function
- Question and Answer - Everyone, open a new tab, and search for “What is the population of China?”, or “What time is it in Dayton, Ohio?”. Surprised? Yeahhhh. By having users go straight to them for this information, once again, increased marketshare, no webmaster participation involved.
- Define:keyword Search - Perhaps the first sign that Google was doing more than just indexing information. They were organizing it, extracting meaning from it. It’s the first step necessary to being able re-create information.
- GMail - You’ll notice this little gem(and it is a gem by the way) got introduced when a significant portion of the middle-aged adults were getting more acquainted with the internet. This particular group has a tendency towards e-mail; it’s safe and requires no credit card number. Not only did it cut into Hotmails market share, but in doing so the people not overly familar with the internet became familiar with Google, and became potential crossovers from the default Live.com search.
- Google Print - Google’s project aiming to scan as many books as possible into their database. Using OCR, they’re text-searchable. Click one, and surprise surprise, we see a familiar bar at the left allowing us to purchase this book from a variety of sources…once again, read the next section to realize the implications here.
How They’re Going To Bringing This Together To Establish Their Own “Internet”
Note: This section is speculation, but I believe it is firmly supported by their actions thus far.
Let’s take a look at what Google has here from an e-commerce prospectiong. They currently have a freehost, payment processing company, and a tremendous knowledge of various products that are sold(all categorized, of course). I suspect in the near future, we’re going to see that “free host” (google pages) turn into a “Yahoo Store” like thing, that gives you a top panel above all the searches, like searches for music already do. Imagine them combining this with their book search and Google base/Froogle? That would actually have the potential to be a “amazon killer”, cutting into the profits of everyone.
Also as they get better and better at not only indexing the information, but understanding it, we will be seeing more and more top panels that make the rankings of sites less and less relevant. With the introduction of knols, much of the information previously available on other sites will be available right there, making them increasingly irrelevant as well.
It appears Google found an odd answer to Search Engine abuse; simply control all the ranking websites. Their information centralization services have already deeply cut into many other services, and give them more than enough data to make this possible. And judging by their most recent additions to the search engine(detailed above), this is definitely the direction they’re heading in.
Scary, yes?
-XMCP
February 11th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Didn’t AOL try this? And eventually the free open source version of it’s “paid web” took over. I find it hard to believe that google will move in this direction as they’re a strong supporter of the open source community.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Yes, in theory they are. But realistically, take a look at what they’ve been putting those top bars up for lately. They’re already doing it. They won’t close off the rest of the internet I believe, but they’ll make it very very hard to compete if you’re not a part of their little “network”
February 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Google Base scares the shit out of me
February 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Well, somebody big is always going to get the lions share of the sale of goods, right? The days of the little guy reselling someone else’s product have always been numbered.
But they can’t take ideas and opinions away from us - we can always compete in that arena.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
This is the feat that keeps me up at night. The big issue is people’s ignorance to Google. Most consumers see a cute little rat for Chinese new year and think this is the same Google that was started by Page and Brinn years ago. Google is a for profit corporation and as such their values are not necessarily aligned with the best interest of its users. I think it will be a matter of time before people open their eyes and realize whats happening.
I also want to point out that blogs have been a critical part of fighting google. I now rely on them more than Google or other search engines to find information I need. I think as long as people will have a voice on the internet there will be those who will fight dominance of google.
Also, did you find it ironic how Google had called out Microsoft for their aggressive monopolistic nature when they bid on Yahoo, yet Google has done the same thing for the internet that Microsoft did for software.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Hosted Solutions will index the companies’ sensitive data and their done. They OWN us!
Why do people use GMail? Can’t they buy a domain ffs? Do you need Google to scan emails too? I use Outlook and I’m proud of it!
Why do people write for them for free? Up their KNOLs!
Matt … stick to search and advertising. We don’t need Bush US type democracy in the web:
“You are in danger … so we’ll restrict some (all) of your rights to keep you safe.”
February 11th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I guess if you wanted to keep going you could have mentioned Google groups or Feedburner. Is there anyone who doesn’t use Feedburner on their blog at this stage?
February 11th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Google knows that Microsoft has the financial backing to try and compete with them. The problem is there execution and user base. Microsoft is currently the only threat to Google. That is why Google was vocal in regards to the bid that Microsoft put on Yahoo. Google has grown a lot in the past few years and the only thing that will shut them down is the competition hidden behind door number 3…the US government. Might take 5 years, maybe 10 years but Google will get split up for being a monopoly.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
You forgot to mention Google’s creating it’s own replica of the real world with Google Earth. Pretty soon Google Earth is going to be tied into the real world in real time, and passing data in real time from databases - such as for inventory so users can use it for shopping purposes.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
“Might take 5 years, maybe 10 years but Google will get split up for being a monopoly.”
Not if they play their cards right. Microsoft was able to avoid being split. As long as Google doesn’t release an OS and become an ISP, they probably will never be forced into splitting.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
From time to time Google can actually validify an industry though. There were many web analytics platforms out there a few years ago, then Google bought Urchin and gave it away free. The first thing that came to my mind was that companies like Omniture would be in trouble. But they flourished because hoards of people were exposed to how great analytics can be and the education left them wanting more. Since Omniture went public they have turned out to be a pretty good success story. Maybe this one product and one case is an anomaly? Could very well be…
Yup I used Google Finance to jog my memory on when Omniture went public..
February 12th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Don’t forget about the all the dark fiber optic cable they bought, the office space above a fiber optic hub, and the wireless spectrum.
http://www.youfoundjake.com/2007/12/03/googlenet-unleashed/
February 13th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
[…] Google is doing more than indexing the web, they are making their own by XMCP - I really love XMCP posts, in this one he gives his opinion on what Google might be doing and how they plan to own the web. […]
February 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
While google may have devious plans for growth and taking over the web, i doubt they ever will. there is just too much competition on the web… it’s a free market. Google can’t get everything great … search is great, gmail is great, most everything else is good, and even some bad.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Go to http://www.googlehorrorstories.net and post your Google Horror Story today.
We, those of us how have been abused in some way by google, are the best watch dog group there is. Getting our stories out so that people can see Google for what it is, is the only real way mount an effective defense.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
They also track your packages on ups. They have many, many things going on. Not to mention what they have in development. Wait til every cell phone has there software.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Hi, this is Google Auto Blogger
I just stopped by to post to your forum to let you know your blog will be obsolete in approximately 1 week as we now have AI to write creative and innovative blogs.
Thank you
The Google
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
[…] which plans I will not be pursuing for lack of time. Fifth, read XMCP’s excellent piece on Google making their own web. Also, the guy’s back and blogging again […]
October 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
[…] which plans I will not be pursuing for lack of time. Fifth, read XMCP’s excellent piece on Google making their own web. Also, the guy’s back and blogging again […]