Google has made the news again

• Feb. 27, 2003

Google has been doing some interesting things in the past few days.

 

Recently it was proposed that Google become part of the English language dictionary.  To “Google” was to perform an internet search for a person, place or topic, preferably using the Google search engine.

 

Google didn’t like the idea of themselves formally becoming part of the English language, so their lawyers quietly asked the site that proposed the change to request that the proposal be removed.  I guess Google doesn't want to become the next “Kleenex”.

 

This despite the fact that Google beat out such brands as “Coke” to be the most recognized brand of the year.

 

Also, a recent filing at the patent office by Google has been approved.  Google now holds the patent to their search algorithm.  This should allow them to protect their intellectual property better, and allow them to legally challenge those sites whom they feel may have copied part or all of their technology.  They still have patents pending on other technologies they have developed.

 

On the business front, Google has now launched targeted AdWords.  The premise is that they will provide AdWords results to their advertising partners that are related to searches performed on these partner’s sites.   In other words, if you were to search for “sports results” on a partner’s site, you will get Google AdWords ads for sporting goods retailers, sports clothing retailers and so on.  Any company in an industry who may relate to a search term has the potential to have their ad seen by a broader market.  This should help increase Google’s struggling AdWord market.

 

Recently, Overture announced that it would soon be able to supply similar services because of it’s acquisition of Altavista and FAST.

 

In our recent article describing the FAST purchase we began to explore the possibility that Google and Overture would be the internet search powerhouses.  Now it appears even more so with the addition of targeted AdWords.

 

We will continue to watch the search engine news, and keep you up to date.

 

Rob Sullivan

Searchengineposition  - the Search Engine Positioning specialists