Google Brings Local Search to Canadian Users
Innovative Service Combines Local Information from the Web with Comprehensive Business Listings from Yellow Pages Group
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - September 21, 2004 - Google Inc. today announced the launch of Google Local Canada (http://local.google.ca) and the integration of local search results into Google.ca. These new services offer Canadian users comprehensive local information including business listings, maps, directions, and related web pages.
"Google Local Canada combines business listings and relevant information from across the web to deliver a powerful and easy-to-use source of local information," said Jonathan Rosenberg, vice president of Product Management, Google. "Google Local Canada also enables AdWords advertisers to reach customers searching for businesses, products and services in their area."
Google Local Canada uses advanced technology to combine local business data from Yellow Pages Group, Canada's largest telephone directories publisher, with local information from Google's vast index of more than 4.2 billion web documents. This innovative approach goes beyond pre-determined categories to provide local information that exactly matches a user's search.
For example, a woman in Toronto could be looking for a place to have a cup of coffee while she caught up on her email. Finding a list of nearby businesses that offer these specific services might be difficult on other local information sites. However, by simply searching for [wifi coffee] in [Toronto] on Google Local Canada, she would find a number of nearby coffee shops with web access. Google Local Canada achieves this level of relevance by searching related web pages, in addition to business listings, to return results that describe coffee shops in Toronto with wireless Internet access.
Google Local Canada offers both French and English interfaces that users can access directly through http://local.google.ca or through local results automatically integrated above the search results on Google.ca. The Google Local results are triggered on Google.ca when a user's search includes specific geographical keywords or locations. These local results are presented at the top of search results pages and are marked by a small compass icon linking users to a Google Local Canada search results page.
About Google
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, which is the largest and fastest growing in the industry, 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 North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
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