Google Local

[Lee]

http://local.google.com/lochp

First time i have seen this and its looking pretty cool after a couple of searches relating to our location.

Looks like Google might be in the process of rolling out some new GEO::IP based stuff.

What are your thoughts on this? Just a one-off or part of a much larger project?

I can certainly see the benefit of being able to search for pages specific to your area however, i wonder if this is going to open up a new phase of GEO::IP spamming too?

Regards,

Lee

[Lee]

Interesting..

I just dug a little deeper into this and it seems that if you list an 'address' on the pages of your site you;ll likely be added to the 'local' listings.

I bet thats going to become the newest tool for SE spammers, adding hundreds of pages of addresses to their sites to get top listings in the local engine.

Regards,

Lee

[DigitalJay]

Hmm, that's definately interesting. Definately a big step towards taking the giant overwhelming trashpile the internet has become and turning it into a more personal experience. In the old days, "world wide" had it's appeal, now I think people would much rather have the option of making their web surfing a localized experience.

You are right about the spamming though. It seems like the only way this could work would be if it was a dmoz type thing, with editors in every local. Maybe if they required that websites provide a local contact phone number with site submission, and require phone confirmation, so they could tell by area code if the listing was legit.

If there is a way to fuck it up and make it useless, people will find it.

[AusCoding Allan]

Hmm,

We kind of have this service already with www.sensis.com.au they are the major provider of telephone books in Aus, along with other information services. It was only launched a couple of months back but it's great.

Cheers,

Allan