Google Maps and Google Local Search

Abstract

Google realized that location search, and mapping as an inseparable part of it, was arguably the most important and useful feature a search engine should have. Many of Google’s competitors were far ahead when “Search by Location” was launched as part of Google Labs in September 2003. However, trying to produce accurate results entirely based on scraped data proved to be not just difficult, but in fact impossible. Before the official launch of Google Local in March 2004, Google improved the location data it had acquired via site indexing with additional structured data from yellow pages sources. At that early stage of development, the main factors Google used in their local search algorithm were “location”, “prominence” or “trust”, and “relevance” (as part of Google’s general organic search algorithm). It was only in February 2005, when Google Maps was officially launched, that “distance” came in the mix to bring the algorithm closer to its current form.

Appendix: Business Data Providers for Google in Selected Countries

Country	Business data providers
United States	Infogroup, Acxiom, LocalEze
Canada	Yellowpages (discontinued), Acxiom (speculative)
United Kingdom	Market Location, 118 Information, Local Data Company
Germany	Gelbeseiten, Infobel
France	PagesJaunes, Infobel
Italy	Paginegialle, Infobel
Australia	Sensis
New Zealand	Finda