Google and Universal Search
June 1st, 2007 by grant
With its universal search, Google is now going to offer results in web search that integrate results from all of their vertical search properties, such as image, video, maps, local, blogs, etc. The video results will include results from third party video sites like Metacafe, and Google’s own You Tube and Google Video.
With universal search, Google are attempting to break down the walls that traditionally separated various search properties and integrate the vast amounts of information available into one simple set of search results. After all, search doesn’t work in a vacuum, it never has and it never will.
In addition, they have rolled out a few new navigation elements and experimental features to assist users better navigate the site and find the information they’re looking for. These include contextual navigation links above the search results that help users “drill down” to specific types of information. Also, in terms of integration and navigation, Google have also introduced a new universal navigation bar at the top of all Google web pages to provide easier navigation to your favorite Google products, such as Gmail. I suppose, in time, user stats will determine if this was a good idea or not.
While this weeks releases are big steps in making the world’s information more easily accessible, these are just the beginning steps toward the universal search vision.
If ever there was time for search marketing agencies like Ambergreen to promote the benefits of full service search marketing, it is now. Companies again have a chance to own full organic visibility using search results, maps, books, blogs, images, videos, news releases, submitted articles and wikis. Alternatively, those big brands that don’t cover all the bases have left themselves in a precarious situation where someone elses video of your company, or a competitors blog on your services have the potential of taking a front page place on Google’s main results page. Being found for a competitors brand name can be a major advantage, over the next few months, this will be strategically beneficial for savvy marketers to take advantage of.
