Search Marketing Blog
It’s Hip to Be Squared
Posted by Sean McMahon on 06.04.2009
This morning, the G-Men and Women from Mountain View released their new search results product developed by Google Labs called Google Squared. In actuality, Google Squared is not a new product, but rather a new way that Google displays search results.
For example, the Google Squared search results for the query ‘cat toys’ presents a logically formatted grid containing relevant headings including Item Name, Image, Description, Price, and Viewing, whereas the query ‘real estate’ configures results under the headings Item Name, Image, Description, Area, Type, and Zip Codes. Rather than present the well-recognized 10-per-page list of search results, Google Squared provides a spreadsheet-style grid designed to make information gathering simpler and more intuitive. An example of this is the ability to add additional columns or rows to customize each grid.
What the engineers at Google are attempting to do is present information in a manner that (ostensibly) aligns with the purpose of each search query. While this may be a rote exercise for humans, it is an extremely difficult activity for algorithms. Google Squared is yet another evolutionary step in this omniscient pursuit. It may also present challenges and opportunities for the future of search engine marketing.
Let me know if you perceive that Google Squared will catch-on with all the hip kids.
Holly Sohriakoff 06.04.2009 at 1:03 pm
I went to the google squared site and tried it out. I think that is an effective new way to get more information about your exact search. My only concern is that as of right now it only brings up a few results and not all of them. Maybe they are trying to narrow the scope of the search? I don’t know. However, I do believe there are a lot of possibilities with the new type of searching.
It also will give SEM Marketers an opportunity to see what exactly from the website comes up in the search to better help the client target it’s audience with better language. This will be an interesting new tool to follow.
Kids will use it if they know about it. Kids are always onto the latest and greatest. I will start using it myself to compare different sites, companies, and products.