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Google connects searchers with local information
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - 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. A phone number, street address, and a list of related
websites such as those of local pizza restaurant, store
reviews, and related information accompany each result. 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.
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