Question
Although still in the early testing phase, Google Base will be coming soon. It looks to me like it's a combination of a classified ads search engine and an online database application where you can upload anything you wish to publish for inclusion into Google's search engine. Maybe a searchable "homepage" containing whatever content you wish to include instead of having to create your own website? All your Base are belong to Google?
Google Base confirmed by Google: http://ebaystrategies.blogs.com/ebay..._base_con.html
Google Base screenshots: http://www.webforce.co.nz/blog/item/google-base.html
Text from one of the screenshots:
Here's a description (courtesy of GB) and screenshot (courtesy of Flickr):
"Post your items on Google.
Google Base is Google's database into which you can add all types of content. We'll host your content and make it searchable online for free.
Examples of items you can find in Google Base:
. Description of your party planning service
. Articles on current events from your website
. Listing of your used car for sale
. Database of protein structures
You can describe any item you post with attributes, which will help people find it when they search Google Base. In fact, based on the relevance of your items, they may also be included in the main Google search index and other Google products like Froogle and Google Local."
More screenshots of Google Base:
http://www.seweso.com/blog/2005/10/google-base.php
Update: This is the standard list of things you can publish on google-base:
Course Schedules
Events and Activities
Housing
Jobs
News and Articles
People Profiles
Products
Reference Articles
Reviews
Services
Travel
Vehicles
Wanted Ads
But you can also add you're own type of data (also private data i think).
Scott Wingo's comments on Google Base with more screenshots: http://ebaystrategies.blogs.com/ebay...ore_detai.html
Google Base, a new opportunity takes Google the eBay way
More articles:
http://blog.outer-court.com/archive/2005-10-26-n16.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/26/te.../26google.html
"We'll host your content and make it searchable online for free."
The new service could automatically funnel listings on all kinds of subjects and display them as part of the company's sponsored ad links on the right side of pages displaying search results from Google queries.
http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/...ead.php?t=8376 Google Base: Google's Project To Take Listings Of Anything
http://news.com.com/Google+wants+you...l?tag=nefd.top Google wants your car listings, events
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/4315.html Google Base, a new opportunity takes Google the eBay way
Blanche
Answer
Google has strongly denied speculation that it is testing an online classifieds service by the name of Google Base.
The speculations were spurred after screenshots of the alleged service started appearing online on Tuesday. Google then quickly removed the webpages from the URL at which they were found.
The page shows an option to post data to a category such as vehicles. The page further suggests that the service could be out to woo classified advertisers with the phrase: "Are you a merchant or a webmaster, or do you have lots of stuff?"
The page however also offers plenty of hints that the service is about something other than Google setting up an eBay competitor. The service is described as a "database in which you can add all types of content. We'll host your content and make it searchable online for free."
Numerous blogs and even the New York Times, however, quickly jumped to the conclusion the service marks an attempt by Google to expand into e-commerce.
Later on in the day Google put an abrupt end to the speculation. "We are testing a new way for content owners to submit their content to Google, which we hope will complement existing methods," explained Google product marketing manager Tom Oliveri on Google's official blog.
That's another article I found. Would love Google to make an auction site though.
Answer
I see a bulk upload file link there... I wonder if it will be in the same format as Froogle...
That would be a boon!
Of course, until more details come out, we can only speculate.
Cheers
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Hints for Google Wallet which may integrate with Google Base classified ads?
GOOGLE PAYMENT CORP. was formed on April 13 of this year. http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/Sho...64&printer=yes
Google posted a job ad for Google Payment Solutions. I thought this comment was interesting:
Experience in ecommerce payment platforms preferred, but not required.
http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=34954380
BTW, the signin page is up again for Google Base http://base.google.com/base/welcome?...%3Dyt-MYYPv0nY
Blanche
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Ah! But is it the real Google? I'm leary at this end...
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This well might be the best development in the online marketplace for sellers since eBay took control.
It will take time for the rollout, time for sellers to learn how to use it effectively, time for the payment system to take form and more time for customers to become familiar with what is available and to use it as a primary shopping destination.
It won't be another eBay. There is no need for one and eBay won't even be eBay in a few more years.
What I mean by that is that the method of presenting items on eBay has changed and continues to change. More items are being offered at a fixed priced on the main site, the number of items offered for immediate sale in Stores continues to increase as a total percent of all offerings and you can even have a separate website purchased from and run through eBay Nation (with little success to date)
I know we have been down this road before with Amazon and Yahoo not to mention dozens of smaller sites. I wouldn't blame people who say "I'll believe it when I see it"
Rather than paragraphs of why I think it will happen all I will say is "Get ready to believe."
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I'm avidly reading everything posted about it. I'm sitting quietly on the sidelines waiting for the word "GO"! I have absolutely every intention of being what my DD the net guru calls an "early adopter".
Yes, I plan to be in the early trenches, struggling, whining, cussing and learning. You really CAN teach an old dog new tricks. It just takes a lot more time but we CAN learn. And I plan to.
Am I dumping everything else, including ebay? Nope. But I will be in the trenches learning the new Google.
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Ah! But is it the real Google? I'm leary at this end...
Hi Empires. Yes, it's the real Google. They ARE working on a FREE classified ads section and they ARE planning on introducing an online payment solution to facilitate payment between buyers and sellers. The name of this payment solution may be "Google Wallet" but, so far, the name is still speculation.
A few things I thought were interesting about Google Base:
If you look at this HTML version of the Google Base Edit page, you can see that they will allow 10 pictures. Also, I think it's pretty neat that they have a selection one can choose if you just want Google to link to an item which is already on your website or any other webpage for inclusion into their search engine. Remember, this service is going to be free.
http://www.seweso.com/blog/base.goog...ferunauth.html
I already have a webpage for this item. I would like Google search results to link to the following URL:
Get ready....it's coming very soon.
Blanche
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What requirements will be in place for sellers to sell? Where will buyers/sellers go in case of fraud? It just looks like you could Search guitars and find items for sale from Froogle, right beside items from Google Base, right beside articles/blogs talking about guitars etc.
I'm just trying to get an idea of how it will work. I'm very, VERY excited for this. I just feel like it might be overwhelming for customers to search through. I think it's obvious that buyers will be able to narrow down results to certain listings, but still, it appears as though Google Base is going to extend much furhter than products. Am I wrong? I hope so...
Oh, one thing, does anyone here think BASE is an acronym for something? Buyers And Sellers Extention? lol, it's a little weak but I'm sure it stands for something...
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it appears as though Google Base is going to extend much furhter than products.
Hi Roundabout. Yes, Google Base will allow you to list ANY type of content, not just products - look at the list of categories in my first post. You may even be able to add a category yourself if the one you need isn't listed.
I think Froogle is more of a shopping comparison site, at least it looks that way now since they made the recent changes. Also, I believe you need to have your products listed on a website so Google can crawl the product images and info. On eBay, the only products that can be listed on Froogle are "Buy it now" store items so it's basically geared to retail merchandise. Also, eBay provides the feed for the BIN products for sale, not the owner of the merchandise, so an eBay seller really has no control over their product feed.
https://www.google.com/froogle/merchants/policies.html
Froogle does not accept the following types of products:
Auction items, unless they have a 'Buy It Now' price that remains fixed throughout an auction
http://www.google.com/support/froogl...6499&topic=283
Ebay is currently sending us a product feed for all of its stores that have Buy it Now products available for sale. To verify that your products are currently listed on Froogle, enter the query [store:ebay YourProductName] where YourProductName is the name of one of the products on your site. If you are still unable to find your products on Froogle, please contact eBay and let them know.
Google Base will allow ANYONE to list their content (one listing or as many as you wish) and it will probably tie into the Froogle and Google local search engines.
I'm guessing that the word "Base" stands for "Database"
A good article about Google Base: http://blogs.forrester.com/charlenel..._base_its.html
Blanche