Cars by Google?

Newswheel staff :: 26 October 2005 :: Filed under Europe & UK, US

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Monolithic search engine to flog motors

Google already dominates the web search business, mops up millions in web advertising, maps the surface of the earth and is even attempting to digitally archive the world’s libraries. But the Beast of Mountain View isn’t done yet. Google has announced another new initiative known as Google Base. As ever with Google, the concept is painfully simple: users will be able to post/upload searchable content of any type. Crucially, one of the usage examples Google has chosen is classified car listings…

In theory, Google Base can be used for indexing everything from recipes to protein structures. And while it’s hard to predict exactly how the new service will be exploited, speculation has already begun regarding Google’s intentions to take on online auction outfit Ebay for the hearts and minds of web-based traders of all things second hand. Not least of which, the lucrative second hand car market.

For those of you l33t enough to want to know more and catch a few screenshots, point your browsers here (currently, Google Base is not open to the public).

Linkage:
Google Base screenshots and info