Google and Structured Content
November 12, 2009
Oh, my. Some of the folks who are cheering the tie up of Microsoft Bing.com and WolframAlpha.com have something to consider. Google is not partnering for technology; the Google is going direct to data providers and merging the information in search results. You can read “World Bank Data Now in Google Search Results” and get a sense of the direction in which Google is taking baby steps. The World Bank’s Web site is a pretty exciting service, so bring a beverage and maybe something to read. For me, the most important point in the write up was:
a special Google public data search feature will show numeric results for 17 World Development Indicators (WDI) reliably sourced to the World Bank, with a link to Google’s public data graphing tool. Google’s feature lets users see and compare country-by-country statistics and offers customized graphs with a ‘link’ or web address that can be easily embedded and shared in other websites. From the Google Public Data graphing tool, users can learn more about the data on the new World Bank Data Finder, which allows them to access indicator definitions, quick facts, interactive maps, and additional World Bank related resources. All of these features can be easily exported and installed on other websites. Data Finder also provides customizable maps and concise analysis to inspire user data comparisons and ‘mash-ups’ or combinations with other Bank reports. Under the population growth indicator, for example, the site generates the following statistic, “8 of the world’s 9 billion people will be in the developing world by 2050.” Data Finder is filled with other compelling quick facts from the Bank’s extensive global databases of global knowledge on development.
You can read more about Google’s content capabilities in my Google: The Digital Gutenberg. I wonder, “Isn’t the World Bank an author?” What happens if Google goes directly to people who write books and monographs? Think about the implications? I did when I realized that the Google was morphing into something new, what I describe as a “digital Gutenberg”. In depth briefings are available if you want to know more. With these data and individualized Google, what does Google deliver? Maybe personalized magazines? Interesting.
Stephen Arnold, November 11, 2009
I want to alert the local Animal Control Officer that I was not paid to write an article that suggests Google is more of a threat in certain business sectors that some pundits assume.
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