Google opens its first office outside of US

• Mar. 12, 2003

Today Google announced it would be basing its European operations in Dublin Ireland.  It was planning to create 200 jobs for the company over the next 3 years.

 

There has been much speculation over the past few months as to where Google would locate its European headquarters.  Many possible locations including Dublin have been circulating through the rumor mill.

 

This will be Google’s first attempt at bridging the gap between North American and European search markets.  Although they have provided Google results in various languages, this will be their first office outside of the US.  Many see this as an attempt to take on Overture who recently acquired FAST/Alltheweb to shore up its European presence, as both search providers scramble to be number one in the ever growing European search market.

 

Most of the major portals, including Yahoo! and MSN have been making large gains in the European and Asian markets, but are finding it difficult to maintain a solid customer base.  This may be because smaller local portals which established themselves in the infancy of the European internet have a dedicated customer base.  Also, traditionally American companies have had problems coping with the differences in American versus European lifestyle and culture. 

 

Rob Sullivan

Searchengineposition.com

Search Engine Positioning

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