Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Time Warner’s AOL and Google to Expand Strategic Alliance

Creating Global Advertising Partnership

Google to Invest $1 Billion for a 5% Stake in AOL

Companies to Collaborate on Online Video Offering and Make More AOL Content Available to Google Users

Google Talk Instant Messaging Software to Communicate With AIM Users

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., NEW YORK, NY, and DULLES, Va., December 20, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and America Online, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), today announced that they are expanding their current strategic alliance. The agreement creates a global online advertising partnership, makes more of AOL’s industry-leading content available to Google users, and includes a $1 billion investment in AOL by Google. This strategic alliance expands on the original relationship between the two companies launched three years ago.

Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Parsons said: "We’re very pleased to build significantly on our special relationship with Google in a way that will meaningfully strengthen AOL’s position in the fast-growing online advertising business and help drive more advertisers to its Web properties. This agreement is key to fulfilling our commitment to realize the potential of AOL’s very large online audience. As digital technologies continue to drive industries together, the great value and opportunity inherent in Time Warner’s structure and array of premier businesses becomes increasingly clear. A critical piece of this strategic alliance will be our content, which we will be making more accessible to Google users."

Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt said: "AOL is one of Google’s longest-standing partners, and we are thrilled to strengthen and expand our relationship. Today’s agreement leverages technologies from both companies to connect Google users worldwide to a wealth of new content. We’ve also created a simple way for AOL Marketplace advertisers to buy and place search-related advertising across the AOL network. This partnership is an important next step for our companies."

Serving Users and Advertisers

Under the strategic alliance, Google and AOL will continue providing search technology to AOL’s network of Internet properties worldwide. The agreement’s broad range of new features for users and advertisers include:

  • Creating an AOL Marketplace through white labeling of Google’s advertising technology – enabling AOL to sell search advertising directly to advertisers on AOL-owned properties;
  • Expanding display advertising throughout the Google network;
  • Making AOL content more accessible to Google Web crawlers;
  • Collaborating in video search and showcasing AOL’s premium video service within Google Video;
  • Enabling Google Talk and AIM instant messaging users to communicate with each other, provided certain conditions are met; and
  • Providing AOL marketing credits for its Internet properties.

AOL and Google have also agreed to extend the term of their existing European relationship, and, subject to mutual agreement, they may extend the AOL Marketplace internationally. In addition, Google, AOL and Time Warner may choose to expand the new partnership to Time Warner’s other advertising opportunities.

Google Investment in AOL

Google will invest $1 billion for an effective 5% equity stake in America Online, Inc., allowing the company to participate in AOL’s future success. Google will become the only shareholder in AOL other than Time Warner. Time Warner will retain management control and full strategic flexibility over AOL, while Google will have certain customary minority shareholder rights, including those associated with any future sale or public offering of AOL. Additional financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Don Logan, Chairman of Time Warner’s Media & Communications Group, said: "We look forward to working with Google to extend our successful paid-search partnership to other forms of advertising. In addition, we’re excited about the potential for driving more traffic to our network of Internet properties. This agreement builds on our 2004 acquisition of Advertising.com and our other efforts to make AOL a more attractive advertising partner. We’re confident that this partnership marks the next big step in making AOL an even more important player in online advertising."

Mr. Schmidt continued: "Our investment underscores our recognition of AOL as a valuable strategic asset and our desire both to contribute to and participate in its future success. We look forward to working with Dick Parsons and the management teams at Time Warner and AOL to take our already successful AOL relationship to even greater heights."

Jonathan Miller, AOL’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "AOL and Google have a very successful history working together, and this is an opportunity to take it to a new level that will benefit both companies and the customers we serve. We are excited about working with Google on the next generation of AOL products, while further expanding our presence on the Web. This is a great moment for AOL."

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate a leading network of Web brands and the largest Internet access subscription service in the United States. Brands include the AOL® service, the AOL.com® website, and the AIM®, MapQuest®, Moviefone®, Netscape®, CompuServe® and ICQ® services. America Online offers a range of digital services including the TotalTalk® voice service. The company also has operations in Canada and Europe. America Online, Inc. is based in Dulles, Virginia.

About Time Warner Inc.

Time Warner Inc. is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks and publishing.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of management of Google Inc. and Time Warner Inc., and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other factors affecting the operation of the respective businesses of Google and Time Warner. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by Google or Time Warner, as applicable, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their respective most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Google and Time Warner are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter their respective forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts:

Time Warner

Edward Adler
(212) 484-6630

Kathy McKiernan
(212) 484-8043

Google

Lynn Fox
(650) 253-2642

David Krane
(650) 253-4096

AOL

John Buckley
(703) 265-3289

Tricia Primrose-Wallace
(703) 265-2896

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Thursday, December 15, 2005

Gmail Mobile

Announcement
December 15, 2005

Today, Google announced the availability of Gmail Mobile, enabling Gmail users quick and easy access to their Gmail account from their mobile devices. Whether waiting in the airport or scurrying for last minute holiday shopping, Gmail users will no longer have to worry about missing important email.

To access Gmail Mobile, users simply visit m.gmail.com through the web browser on their mobile phone and sign in to their Gmail account as they would on the web. Because every mobile device is different, Gmail Mobile automatically optimizes the interface based on the phone. Users can also view attached photos and documents from their phone, and reply-by-call to people whose phone number is stored in their Gmail account. Gmail messages are automatically synchronized, regardless of whether Gmail is accessed from Gmail Mobile or the web.

Gmail Mobile is currently available for free for mobile phone users in the US.

The service works with most web-enabled mobile phones, but users should check with their carriers on their data service plan to determine if there are additional charges for web access.

In addition to Gmail Mobile, Google has recently introduced other features to further enhance the Gmail experience, including:

Quick links that identify addresses and package tracking numbers in emails and displays them to the right of users’ Inbox so they can more easily access maps, directions, or tracking information with a single click.

  • Gmail Web Clips, which appear at the top of the Gmail inbox and enable users to read Google News, a friend’s blog, or any RSS or Atom feed from their Gmail account.
  • Anti-virus protection that automatically scans messages with attachments.
  • The ability to view attachments in HTML instead of downloading to the desktop or mobile phone.
  • A vacation auto-responder, which enables users to automatically notify people when they’re away from email or unable to respond.
  • The option to create contact groups, one of the most highly-requested Gmail features.

For additional details about the newest Gmail features, please visit mail.google.com/mail/help/intl/en/about_whatsnew.html.

For more information about Gmail Mobile, visit www.google.com/glm/gmail or see the Gmail Mobile Reviewer’s Guide at www.google.com/intl/en/press/guides.html.

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Music Onebox

Announcement
December 15, 2005

Google has added a music search feature to Google web search to quickly put users in touch with a wide range of music information including artists, albums, song titles, links to music reviews and places to purchase music. This feature is similar to the links at the top of Google results that we’ve provided in the past for movies and weather.

In analyzing our traffic, we found that a huge number of users conduct music-related searches. To better meet this need, we developed this feature to put users in touch with the information they’re looking for faster, and with a user interface specifically designed for music.

Here’s how it works: when a user enters the name of an artist popular in the U.S. (as well as some international artists) into the Google search box, they will see some information about that artist, including the name, a few albums, and a picture (when available), as well as a ‘more music results’ link at the top of their search results.

When users click through to the ‘music results’ page they will see user reviews, song titles, and links to a variety of online retailers where they can purchase music. Additional information on the ‘music results’ page includes links to news, photos, cover art, discussion forums and other websites relevant to the query.

While we are only showing music links in limited cases to start, we plan to expand the range of searches that trigger this feature over time.

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Pittsburgh Office

Announcement
December 15, 2005

Earlier today, Google announced plans to open a new engineering office in the Pittsburgh area. The announcement was made this morning at a press conference at Carnegie-Mellon University.

The new Google office will be primarily focused on engineering, research and development, and is part of our worldwide effort to build engineering centers in locations where there are great engineers. We plan to hire about a hundred people for the new office in the coming years. We have not yet settled on a permanent facility in Pittsburgh but are exploring a variety of options.

In addition, we also announced the hire of Andrew Moore to lead our Pittsburgh operation. Andrew joins Google from Carnegie Mellon where he was a Professor of Robotics and Computer Science and co-founder and Director of the Auton Lab.

Google’s Pittsburgh office will offer all the world-class workplace amenities that Google has become known for such as outstanding healthcare benefits, free lunches, and competitive compensation packages. We are looking for a range of new employees to fill a variety of technology and engineering positions and have already begun recruiting efforts for software engineers.

Google prides itself on hiring the best and brightest and is encouraging qualified applicants to begin submitting their resumes on our website at www.google.com/jobs.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Google Appoints Ann Mather to its Board of Directors

Mather to Chair Google’s Audit Committee

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – November 29, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced it has appointed Ann Mather to its Board of Directors. As a corporate finance executive who has driven accounting and strategic business initiatives for some of the world’s most recognized brand names for nearly 25 years, Mather will also serve as Chairperson for Google’s Audit Committee. Mather’s appointment was effective November 22, 2005.

"Ann Mather is an extraordinary leader in the financial community, and her experience abroad is a great enhancement to the Board’s global perspective," said Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google. "We look forward to engaging Ann’s vast accounting expertise as Chair of our Audit Committee."

"I’m one of Google’s biggest fans, and I believe whole-heartedly in its ability to help make the world a better place. I look forward to working with the esteemed Board to help guide Google’s finance and accounting platform," said Mather.

Ms. Mather has been a director on the Board of the Central European Media Enterprises group since April 2004, and serves on its Audit and Compensation Committees. She served as a director for Shopping.com from May 2004 until it was acquired by Ebay in 2005. She was Chair of Shopping.com’s Audit Committee, and was a member of their Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

From 1999 to 2004, Ms. Mather was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Pixar. At Pixar she was responsible for finance, administration, business affairs, investor relations and HR. She was Pixar’s prime contact with Disney on distribution issues as part of the Disney/Pixar co-production agreement, served as the Company Secretary, and helped supervise construction of a new campus.

Prior to joining Pixar, Ms. Mather was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Village Roadshow Pictures, and held various executive positions at the Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles from 1993 to 1999, including Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for its Buena Vista International Theatrical Division. From 1992 to 1993 she worked for Disney in Paris to help start the international theatrical distribution arm in ten European countries.

Ms. Mather held various executive positions in Europe before joining Disney, including Alico (a division of AIG), and Paramount Pictures. While at Paramount, from 1984 to 1988, she worked in London, Amsterdam and New York. Prior to working for Paramount, she was based in London, where she worked for KPMG from 1981 to 1984.

Ms. Mather holds an MA from Cambridge University in England.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Media Contact:

Lynn Fox
+1 650 253 2642
lfox@google.com

###

Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

AdSense Onsite Advertiser Sign-Up

Announcement
November 22, 2005

Today, Google announced Onsite Advertiser Sign-Up, a new feature that enables AdSense publishers to sign up advertisers directly from their pages. With this feature, a publisher’s Google ad units will display an ‘Advertise on this site’ link that takes interested advertisers to a landing page where they can quickly create an AdWords ad exclusively targeting that publisher’s site. Onsite Advertiser Sign-Up complements publishers’ sales efforts by enabling them to accommodate smaller advertisers that aren’t economically feasible for their sales force to manage. The feature also provides advertisers with new opportunities to reach targeted audiences online.

The new feature is an extension of Google’s site-targeted advertising, which was launched earlier this year. As with site-targeted ads generated through Google AdWords pages, ads created through Onsite Advertiser Sign-Up will compete in the same auction as all other Google ads, including keyword CPC text and image ads, and site-targeted CPM (cost-per-thousand impression) text and image ads. As a result of this increased competition, publishers can only increase their revenue from Google ads.

Beginning today, advertisers can customize the landing page advertisers will see with their logo, color scheme and site description. More information about Onsite Advertiser Sign-up can be found at: www.google.com/services/oasu/

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AdWords Separate Content Bidding

Announcement
November 22, 2005

Today, Google launched separate content bidding for Google AdWords. This enhancement to Google AdWords enables advertisers to place one bid for ads that run on content sites and a separate bid for ads that run on search sites within the Google Network. Previously, the single keyword bid placed by advertisers was applied to their ads on both search and content pages. In addition, the minimum bid for content is now a static $.01 (in the U.S.).

Google developed content bidding in response to advertiser requests for additional pricing and placement control of ads that run on content sites in the Google network. Advertisers are now able to place a bid for their content campaigns and smart pricing will reduce the cost the advertiser pays if the cost is still too high relative to the value it brings the advertiser. In conjunction with smart pricing, content bidding enables advertisers to effectively manage return on investment (ROI) for their content campaigns. Content bidding does not affect the way AdWords ranks ads or how it selects ads that run on content pages. AdWords will continue to rank ads by using a combination of Quality Score and maximum cost-per-click (CPC).

Content bidding is integrated into the existing AdWords campaign management interface and is available to all advertisers globally. This feature does not affect the site targeting feature, which is the tool that allows advertisers to target specific content sites in the Google network with text and/or image ads.

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Froogle Local

Announcement
November 22, 2005

Let’s face it. There’s bravery, and then there’s brave enough to hit the mall the day after Thanksgiving. Thanks to a new feature in Froogle, Google’s shopping search engine, shoppers can now find that must-have gift at a store in their neighborhood without running all over town.

Today Google announced the addition of local merchants’ content to Froogle froogle.google.com. By entering the item you’re looking for and your location information, Froogle will show locations nearby that offer the product and pinpoint the stores on a map. So, whether a user wants to order it online or run out and grab it for a holiday party the same evening, Froogle can help.

At the time of launch, Froogle will include local content from several hundred merchants across the country. Froogle also makes it easy for local merchants to enter their own product inventory even if they don’t have e-commerce capabilities. Merchants can simply upload a file containing information about their products by visiting www.google.com/sellonfroogle.

In addition to local content, Froogle now offers users brand and related-search suggestions for quickly narrowing results. As always, Froogle still includes convenient shopping list and wish list features that will come in handy for the holidays. In addition to searching for gifts, you can do a little shopping for yourself, add items to your wish list, and share it with others.

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Thursday, November 17, 2005

Google Continues International Expansion, Opens Offices in Latin America

Company Launches Operations in So Paulo, Mexico City

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – November 17, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced its continuing international expansion with the launch of two Latin American operations centres in So Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City, Mexico. These new offices will enable Google to provide the best advertising services and search experience to its users, advertisers and partners in Brazil, Mexico and throughout Latin America.

"The online environment in Latin America is changing rapidly with the infrastructure for high-speed Internet access expanding, and with it e-commerce," said Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, vice president, Asia Pacific and Latin America operations, Google Inc. "Google’s Latin America teams will partner closely with businesses, advertisers and agencies throughout the region to enable them to capitalize on the significant opportunities this brings."

Google’s Mexico operation is led by Gonzalo Alonso, formerly Director of Sales at T1MSN. In Brazil, Google’s operation is led by Alexandre Hohagen, who was previously general manager for HBO in Brazil. Alonso and Hohagen bring to Google many years of extensive and diverse experience in Mexico and Brazil, as well as markets throughout Latin America.

As general managers for Google in their markets, Alonso and Hohagen will work with Google’s current Latin America clients and continue to develop Google’s client base in the region. Google’s Latin American advertisers already represent a wide variety of companies including Mercado Libre and Dell in Mexico, and Wal-Mart in Brazil.

The launch of operations in Latin America further demonstrates Google’s ongoing commitment to expanding its international business, and developing the search advertising market in new regions around the world. The office in Sao Paulo, Brazil follows the acquisition of Brazil’s Akwan Information Technologies Inc. in July of this year. Akwan has become Google’s R&D centre in Brazil.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.mx and www.google.com.br.

Media Contacts:

Daniel Lemin
+1 650 253 4405
dlemin@google.com

Megan Quinn
+1 650 253 4944
meganq@google.com

###

Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may
be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Announcing Google Base

Announcement
November 16, 2005

Today, we launched Google Base, a free online service where users can submit all types of online and offline content that Google will host and make searchable online. Google Base is currently in beta and can be found on the web at
base.google.com.

Google Base is an extension of Google’s existing content collection efforts such as our traditional web crawl system – as well as Google Sitemaps, Google Print and Google Video – all which enable content owners to easily make their information searchable via Google. The goal of Google Base is to improve the overall quality and breadth of Google Search results by collecting even more information about a wider diversity of content.

Similar to a database, Google Base enables content owners to describe and assign attributes to the information they upload and uses this meta-data to better target search results to what users are looking for. For example, if a chef chooses to upload their very best recipe for tamales he/she can further describe that recipe with a photo or by assigning attributes such as "medium-spicy" or "spicy." When a user searches for the word [tamale recipes] from the Google Base homepage they will be presented with a list of recipe results accompanied by a list attributes at the top of page which enable them to further refine their search to "medium-spicy" or "hot" tamale recipes.

Google Base also creates a new opportunity for content producers to submit any kind of information even if it’s not a web page or online. This could range from an old family photograph to a large database of museum artifacts both of which may not have been previously accessible online. As part of the early-stage beta, Google has been working with a variety of commercial and non-commercial information providers. Some of which include:

  • ArtNet – an online art information source and marketplace is uploading information on artworks, artists, galleries and auction records.
  • CareerBuilder – an online job listing site is uploading its listings with various attributes including geographic location, field of profession and other information.
  • Collegeboard.org – a not-for-profit membership organization is uploading free information for students and parents about college admissions, financial aid, college selection, and other college planning resources.
  • StepUp – a local shopping services company uploading product lists from a variety of local retailers so that people searching can learn where to by products from stores near them.
  • World Resources Institute – an environmental think tank is uploading links to data on sustainability issues such as climate change, human health, and resource consumption.

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Base complements Google’s mission by making the information on Google easier to organize and search through. This announcement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to make more types of information discoverable online.

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Monday, November 14, 2005

Web Analytics Free of Charge, Courtesy of Google

Powerful web analytics service now available to all businesses

Mountain View, Calif. Nov. 14, 2005 – Today, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that its hosted web analytics service, Google Analytics, is now free. Formerly known as Urchin from Google, Google Analytics helps businesses use performance data to improve their online marketing campaigns and websites. With Google Analytics, businesses can determine what keywords attract the most visitors, which email campaigns create more customers, and how to design web pages that hold people’s attention.

“We want to give all online marketers and publishers access to powerful web analytics to help them better understand what their customers want. With this knowledge, businesses can create more accurate advertising and build better websites,” said Paul Muret, Google engineering director, and one of the founders of Urchin. “By making this powerful service free, we aim to give all websites – large and small – the tools they need to better serve their customers, make more money, and improve the web experience for everyone.”

Google Analytics can enhance every aspect of online marketing – from selecting and bidding on effective keywords, to determining the most relevant offers in email campaigns, to optimizing website design. By acting on this information, businesses of all sizes can attract more visitors, convert more prospects to customers, and improve the overall return on their marketing investment. Google Analytics is simple enough for businesses new to web analytics to get started quickly, and sophisticated enough for the most advanced online marketers.

In addition to being free, Google Analytics includes:

  • Integration with Google AdWords, and works with any online ad network: Users of Google AdWords can access web analytics from a new interface within their AdWords account. Google Analytics automatically tags keyword destination URLs (which saves time and reduces the potential for errors), and imports cost data for ROI reports (for fast set-up and ease-of-use). Google Analytics is also able to track the results of any online marketing campaign, including banner ads, referral links, email newsletters, and organic and paid search.
  • New reporting dashboards: Google Analytics executive summary reports for the three most common decision makers – executive, marketer, webmaster – will ease access to crucial information across departments.
  • Global reach: Immediately available in 16 international languages: UK English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Russian.

Google Analytics runs on the same computing infrastructure that powers Google.com so it can support the traffic demands of any site, from those with a few visitors a week to hundreds of millions. Google Analytics is already used by many of the top properties on the web, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies. Businesses such as The Financial Times, National Semiconductor, Ritz Interactive, Agency.com and Deckers Outdoor Corporation use Google Analytics to improve the user experience and marketing effectiveness of their websites.

“Much like it did with web search – Google is making web analytics simpler and more accessible for millions of sites on the web,” said Jeff Saville, marketing manager at Deckers Outdoor Corp. (Teva, Ugg, Simple Shoes). “With the new features, and the fact it is free, Google Analytics will give us a much clearer view of how we’re serving our customers, and the information we need to make it better.”

Google Analytics is available immediately for free to existing customers of Urchin from Google, as well as all new customers. Free online support is also available. Businesses can obtain customization or advanced integration from Google representatives and select Google service partners.

More information about Google Analytics can be found at www.google.com/analytics/.

Please visit www.google.com/press/images.html for video sound bites and b-roll for this announcement.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Media Contacts:

Michael Mayzel
650.253.4565
mmayzel@google.com

###

Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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Thursday, November 10, 2005

Personalized Search Graduates from Google Labs

Announcement
November 10, 2005

We’re happy to announce that today Google Personalized Search graduated from Labs and is ready for prime time. As part of our continued efforts to improve the quality of search results, Personalized Search will now be offered to all users when they create a new Google Account.

Personalized Search is an improvement to Google search that orders results based on previous queries. Learning from the history of searches and search results that have been clicked on, Personalized Search brings certain results closer to the top when it’s clear they’re most relevant to the user. For example, a user who recently searched on iPod accessories who enters a query on [apple] would be shown results related to the computer manufacturer before those related to fruit.

In addition to coming off Labs, Personalized Search also now includes several new features, such as:

  • Bookmarks & Searchable Labels: Users can now create bookmarks and add searchable labels and notes to any item in their search history to help organize their information. Since these are created through a Google Account, this information is accessible from any computer by signing in to their account.
  • Remove Results: This new feature offers users greater control over search results by enabling them to remove unwanted results from future searches. Users can remove a single page or an entire site, for one search or all future searches.
  • International Expansion: Personalized Search is now available in 39 domains, in 12 languages. The Personalized Homepage is also now available in 17 domains, in 12 languages.

In addition to enhancing product functionality, we continue to take proactive steps to protect user privacy and give users control of their personal data. Expanding on our existing options for easily pausing the service or removing items from search history, we are also adding increased password protection for stronger security.

For more information on Personalized Search, please visit www.google.com/psearch.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Google Enterprise Announces Search Replacement Program

Announcement
November 8, 2005

Google today announced a search replacement program whereby any business that replaces its existing search solution with a Google Search Appliance by the end of the year will receive a free Google Mini. More than 2,000 businesses worldwide use Google’s search products to deliver Google-quality search results to customers, employees and partners.

"Given the recent turmoil with providers of legacy search solutions, there has never been a better time to upgrade your company’s search to Google," said Dave Girouard, general manager of Google Enterprise. "This program allows companies to upgrade both their internal and public-facing search solutions all in one quick step."

The Google Search Appliance is an integrated hardware and software search solution that enables corporations, universities and government agencies to deliver Google-quality search results on their corporate network and public websites. To find out more information about Google’s replacement program, please visit www.google.com/switch.

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Thursday, November 3, 2005

Google Desktop out of beta

Announcement
November 3, 2005

After extensive tire-kicking and test-driving, we’re happy to announce that Google Desktop 2 is coming out of beta with a number of enhancements, new third-party panels, and expanded plug-in development options. Google Desktop is a free downloadable application that combines desktop search with an intelligent sidebar that learns the user’s habits and interests to offer all the information of interest to them in one convenient location.

And, for those of you who spend most of your waking lives at work, you’ll be glad to know that Google Desktop for Enterprise is having a little coming out party of its own! In conjunction with the Google Search Appliance and Mini, Google Desktop for Enterprise delivers one-stop searching across the desktop, intranet and the web.

The daily grind might be hard, but finding-the-proposal-that-you-vaguely-remember-e-mailing-that-guy-in-London-six-weeks-ago, is easy. Just part of our continued commitment to give our users the power of Google at the office.

Product additions include:

  • Personalized Maps Panel – This new Sidebar panel rotates through maps relevant to the user’s location and interests. Like most features in the Sidebar, the panel is auto personalized and does not require input from the user unless they’d like to customize the display. In addition to maps based on the user’s activity and location, the map rotation also includes maps of popular locations around the world such as Paris, Hong Kong, and Cairo.
  • Enhanced API – New support for script based plug-ins makes developing panels for Sidebar much easier. Now developers and non-developers alike can use simple JavaScript to write powerful plug-ins with great results. Additional details on the updated Google Desktop API are available at desktop.google.com/developer.html.
  • New Third-Party Plug-ins – Dozens of new Sidebar panels have been developed using the Google Desktop API. A few notable examples include panels for iTunes and Winamp, a dictionary, and an American Express panel to track and view credit card transactions in real time.
  • Enterprise Features – Google Desktop for Enterprise provides enhanced administration, integration and security features for business environments. Through a collaborative effort between Google and IBM, this release also offers improved search across IBM Lotus Notes messages.

The Google Desktop team is also launching a new blog today for user and developers to find out the latest information about Google Desktop. Check it out at googledesktop.blogspot.com.

Google Desktop and Google Desktop for Enterprise are both free and can be found at desktop.google.com and desktop.google.com/enterprise/, respectively.

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Google Makes Public Domain Books Accessible To The World

Google Print Unveils Collection of Public Domain Books from Libraries at University of Michigan, Harvard, Stanford, and the New York Public Library

Mountain View, Calif. Nov. 3, 2005 – Today, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced the availability of the first large collection of public domain books on Google Print. This collection, scanned as part of the company’s book digitization project with several of the world’s largest libraries, includes works such as U.S. Civil War history books, government documents, the writings of Henry James and other materials.

Because they’re out of copyright, these cultural artifacts can be read in their entirety online at print.google.com, where anyone can search and browse every page. They are fully searchable and users can save individual page images.

"Today we welcome the world to our library," said Mary Sue Coleman, President of the University of Michigan . "As educators we are inspired by the possibility of sharing these important works with people around the globe. Think of the doors it will open for students; geographical distance will no longer hamper research. Anyone with an Internet connection can search the text of and read the compelling narratives, historical accounts and classic works offered today, and in doing so access a world of ideas, knowledge and discovery."

Examples of the public domain books available on Google Print today include:

  • Civil War regimental histories and early American writings from the University of Michigan

  • Congressional acts and other government documents from Stanford

  • The works of Henry James from Harvard

  • Biographies of New York citizens and other collected biographies from the New York Public Library

More information and images of pages from these materials can be found on the Google Blog at googleblog.blogspot.com. These works however are just a small fraction of the information that will eventually be made available as a result of Google Print.

"Our goal is to make these public domain books and the knowledge within them accessible to the world," said Susan Wojcicki, vice president of Product Management at Google. "Any researcher or student, whether they’re in New York or New Delhi can now research and learn from these books that previously were only available in a library. This underscores the value of Google Print and the work we’re undertaking with our library partners."

The Google Print program was introduced in the fall of 2004 to help users search through the oceans of information contained in the world’s books and to help authors and publishers promote their books and expand their sales. Google is working directly with publishers through the Google Print Publisher Program and libraries through the Google Print Library Project to digitize the world’s books.

Users can visit print.google.com to search only the Google Print index for book results; however, the Google Print index is also integrated into Google.com web search results pages. As they can with web pages, users can search the full text of every book Google has scanned and, when they find a book that interests them, view a card catalog-like entry with brief excerpts of their search term in context. Users can only see more of any book they find if the book is out of copyright or if the publisher has given explicit permission to show full pages of a limited portion of the book.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Media Contacts:

Nate Tyler
Google Inc.
+1 650-253-4311
nate@google.com

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Monday, October 31, 2005

Google Names Elliot Schrage Vice President of Global Communications and Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – October 31, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that Elliot Schrage joined the company as vice president, Global Communications and Public Affairs. Schrage will join the company’s senior management team and report to Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt. He will manage relations between the company and various stakeholders around the world.

"Elliot Schrage’s experience and demonstrated commitment to transparency and global corporate citizenship will be an asset to Google as we continue to grow and explore new opportunities around the world," said Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt.

"Google is successfully pursuing its ambitious mission with an impressive combination of innovation, execution and leadership. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to explain the steps Google is taking to improve the accessibility and usefulness of the world’s information to people everywhere," said Elliot Schrage, vice president of Global Communications and Public Affairs.

Schrage, 45, brings 20 years of global communications, public affairs and policy experience to Google. Schrage joins Google from the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, where he was the Bernard L. Schwarz Senior Fellow in Business and Foreign Policy, and an advisor to several global corporations on issues of corporate social responsibility. Prior to that, Schrage directed global affairs for Gap Inc. as senior vice president. Before joining Gap, Schrage served as managing director of the New York office of Clark & Weinstock, a public policy and management consulting firm.

Schrage has also been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University Business School and Columbia Law School.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Media Contacts:

Barry Schnitt
barry@google.com
+1.650.623.4194

David Krane
david@google.com
+1.650.623.4096

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Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names
may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Read more »