Beta Test – Google Base added to serps

by Greg Niland on March 21, 2006

It appears that Google is testing the concept of adding a Google Base search box in their serps.  Below is a screen capture of what Google is showing for the keyword “homes for sale”.  Since they are already showing three paid listings on top of the organic search results it is interesting they would take away even more page real estate to add a search box for real estate listings in Google Base.  If they keep this up it will not matter if you rank #1 since no organic search results will be above the fold.  Google Base is still free so it wouldn’t be adding revenue.  The tests I did returned pages that are already in their standard search index.  I don’t really see a good reason for this, unless Google is laying down the groundwork for more specialized searching (after all you can only expect so much relevance when you have a single user input box) Good luck Google with your beta test.  Questions, comments?  Speak up.

screen capture of googlebase added to serps

[tags]google base, google beta, google serps[/tags]

{ 10 comments }

Joel March 21, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Barry Welford March 22, 2006 at 3:15 am

Interactive searching. It’s bound to be a more effective way. Man (or woman) / machine (read Google) Interaction. I’ve pushed for this idea in the past. Ask Jeeves/Teoma started this kind of idea by pointing out some relevant clusters of ideas. I think Google is starting to cook with gas here. Thanks for pointing this out.

nik March 22, 2006 at 4:15 am

This doesn’t work for me. Maybe Google chechs the IP range and serves search refining for USA only.

admin March 22, 2006 at 6:09 am

I agree that interactive searching is a move in the right direction. The issue with interactive searching is gettin the UI just right. With this current test I think Google is placing too much on top of the organic search results.

Several Canadians have reported not seeing this. Goolge may only be doing this in the US or they may just be showing it to a small percentage of their users to gain data before a full roll-out.

al March 22, 2006 at 6:17 am

For anyone like me who has to lookup the acronym “serps” to find out what it means. Here the definition SERPs are “Search Engine Result Pages”. The thing you see when you search for something in Google.

SEO Hyderabad March 22, 2006 at 11:24 am

Hi,
I am searched This doesn’t work for me. Maybe Google checks the IP range and serves search refining for USA only.
Thanks
Srinivas

Naval Ravikant March 22, 2006 at 11:49 am

This capability is not unique to Google. Vast.com has an open api of of over 15 Million listings that other search engines can add into their results pages tomorrow! They can use it for commercial purposes, and be first to market on this. Heck, you can do it on your blog and beat Google Base out there :-)

admin March 22, 2006 at 11:56 am

have you tried using a US proxy?

admin March 22, 2006 at 12:00 pm

hi naval,

i think this is more about the concept of expanding search capabilities and not just allowing people to find cars. if people want to look for cars, there are many great sites, but google’s mission is to organize the world’s data.

cheers

Thomas Cox March 28, 2006 at 4:50 am

Google still has a long way to go for that I am afraid, they will not be able to organize everything it is nuts!! I do love google though so much my big brother google you are my best friend!!

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post: March 15 – CSS Conversation with SuzyUK

Next post: March 23 – Researching Keywords with Christine Churchill of KeyRelevance