n order for Google Base to drop down menu.
succeed, it will need the
support of both publishers Based on the relevance of the
and users. Quite frankly, most submitted items, they may also be
are having difficulty seeing the included in the main Google
value in Google Base. Google search index, and other Google
Base, is a new service in beta, products such as Froogle and
from Google that requests that Local Google Search.
publishers add their information
to the "Google Base". Google Base Because the individual submitting
is hosted by Google. All types of the content can define the
item submissions are accepted content using labels, the system
online and off-line information is left open to rampant spam.
in a variety of formats. Google While there does appear to be a
Base uses tagging similar to that "checks and balances" in place
found in many social-bookmarking with each listing showing a
applications, though Google "report a bad link" button, that
refers to it as labels. The allow searches to report and
labels are used by Google to indicate that content has been
categorize or add attributes to improperly tagged, contains adult
the information, that better content, or is otherwise
describes the content. The more inappropriate content. It is
popular specific attributes unclear whether Google will
become, the more often Google create a hierarchy of web
will suggest them when others surfers. DMOZ and many Wiki
post the same or similar items. systems, create a leadership
Additionally, items that become structure of users to minimize
more popular will show up as spam, but the fact remains that
suggested item types in the both systems are prone to abuses.
"Choose an Existing Item Type" It is unclear whether Google will
implement a similar system. has is a geo-targeting search
feature that produces results for
Google Base is currently a very specific region. However
available only in English. Web at this time many submission do
surfers can experiment with not include a product location so
Google Base and browse through the geo-targeting feature, while
existing items at any time. a nice addition, will need some
However, to submit items, a refinement as well.
Google Account must be created.
Google Base will currently accept Google Base currently produces
bulk uploads in CSV, RSS 1.0, RSS far less relevant searches than a
2.0 and Atom 0.3 formats. vertical search engine. Why
Google is relying on tagging
Content providers who already (labels) rather than the
have RSS feeds can easily submit contextual spidering makes little
their content to Google Base sense. And why Google has taken
without requiring a lot of the step of content hosting is
additional work. Unfortunately at unclear. Search Engines
this time, each Google Account historically devalue duplicate
only allows for 10 feeds to be content, the Google hosting may
submitted to Google Base. Many provide a unique twist to the
content publishers have merged duplicate content debates.
content topics and multiple RSS
feeds into a single RSS feed. While Google Base is still in
This is inefficient and may beta, it is clear that it needs
ultimately hurt the structure of to be polished. In order to
Google Base, as each RSS feed may garner the support from
contain items that are unrelated. publishers and users Google
articulating the purpose and
One nice feature of Google Base intent of Google Base might help
in gaining support.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
Read more articles by:
S. Housley
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
