Just how big the local search biz can get on the internet..?

I would bet my money on offline companies like JustDial or (I cant think of any other company competing JustDial). The internet just doesnt make it even in our Indian cities.

Quote:
Poyani: Google Local is using Business Listing provided by INFOMEDIA and INDIACOM and it is clearly mentioned on the search page. They are not going solo
Unquote

Google, Guruji, Rediff, Nokia Mobile Local search & others are in content tie-ups with multiple directory publishers.  Infomedia's just one of 'em.

Search engine makers make search engines, content owners/aggregators amass content.  Neither can do without an alliance.

FP's hit the nail on its head (scroll to top, a bit) about the Web 2.0 (the term's bastardised now…ughh) frenzy here in India.  He's quite right, Google Local's gonna shake up things, big time.

And if FP's "boy meets girl" prediction is realised by Google, who's continuing to develop Orkut, then boy oh boy, all the matchmakers here will be decimated.  It would be enthralling to witness that marvel of engineering & social behavior. But that one seems slightly distant, given the prevalence of socio-cultural factors typical to India.

Does guruji has a wap link ??

i think the only company that is currently doing mobile search is onyomo - they have gprs service at owap.in and an sms service with keyword find on 8558 and other codes

I think this is good but there has to be local language and an mobile angle to this..atleast in india.. then it will be better.. or even call a number - some what like TellMe, the company that microsoft acquired.. and integrate this with maps etc.. needs some more work.

FP, great summary of the web space.

Google Local allows user to add their business listings. Link is on the search page itself

Nice…

On the day, Google has launched Local Search for India, It was posted on a blog
http://w3guru.blogspot.com/2007/07/google-has-launched-indias-local-search.html (19th July)
http://w3guru.blogspot.com/2007/07/comparison-google-india-local-search.html
(20th July)

Also, Yahoo! will launch Yahoo! Local for India soon. Its in alpha stage. One more local search :)

Google Local is using Business Listing provided by INFOMEDIA and INDIACOM and it is clearly mentioned on the search page. They are not going solo

Web 2.0 is hot… doesnt mean that companies who have got fundings are making a difference to consumers. Most of the sites listed here are unheard to the consumers.

Guruji / Burrp and all these sites combined together do not make pageviews in a year equivalent to what Google does in India in a week. They are way too behind. Most web 2.0 funded companies provide an excuse of lack of reach to consumers due to connectivity issues.. wonder if VCs were aware of same when they funded these companies. But beat it…. Google, Yahoo, Rediff, Orkut have thrived in this same era and are growing.

Deep pockets may mean huge marketing and advertising revenues… but note - there has not been a single internet success in world by offline marketing. It might help create a buzz…. but its the product is what retains and creates the momentum.

Social networking - BharatStudent / BigAdda / Minglebox / Fropper ... its already crowded space… and a Social Networking 2.0 bust waiting to happen. None has the product features or strategy in place to take on Orkut.  (Facebook / Myspace… growing and will catch up with all local sites)

Searchengines.. Localsearch is big, but not so big that 6-7 different companies are required have to serve it. The web models will probably dash-down for all this the day when google india homepage puts a link for India Local Search.  The only sensible business models would be to go thru phone/mobile channel… and would require to be sorted out collaborately with mobile operators (at a price ofcourse).

Mobile Vas… Its a passe now. 75% revenues in mobile vas comes from caller ring back tones. The RGV ki Aag with Mauj will go as a blank cheque like the movie will see empty theaters.

Business Networking - LinkedIn rules in india. Brijj has a long way to go.. if it has to.

Jobsites - Naukri is credible success; Monster - 2nd.  Clickjobs.. long way to go.  TimesJob - The self proclaimed number1 is lost. Seems its parents have disowned it after the gimmick.

Travelsites - To early to say anything; but the winners would be either MMT / Yatra.  2nd level -  to a extend Cleartrip / Travelguru needs to catch up.. Expect some consolidation here. Rest all sites - rest in peace.

Matri Sites - What will you do when the Boy meets Girl on Orkut.com ??

To conclude -
1. VCs need to 'think' before investing
2. Its difficult or rather impossible to break a leader in Internet who has established itself well in one vertical.  Yahoo still has not managed to do with with Google; you think Guruji will do it?
3. Baidu happened…. and on internet you can't make it happen (consumers will)

And also a big thank you to Guruji's employees Keith and Neel for self propaganda.

Thanks for motivating, i am really overwhelm by seeing users response toward guruji.We are working hard to provide better user experience and will   be releasing more features with enhanced content.
Please keep sending ur feed back regarding local (referring my name) at support[at]guruji.com.

Thanks
Aditya

Justdial is by far the best. It is way ahead of all the players . Read somewhere it has over Rs. 100 crore in revenues. Google may find it tough to beat these well entrenched indian Companies.

Look up specific restaurants - you get Trip Advisor and Burrp reviews…....

How long do you think before google local swallows guruji, et al .

Keith i agree to you man Guruji is way head compared to google,  have all you guys checked guruji local search you will find the difference ...... Don't be surprise seeing this result i my staying in mumbai for the past 30 years and i was surprised that UK was in Andheri Mumbai .......... search for Pizza hut in Andheri (E) on guruji.com and google you will find the difference .

big deal!!! I think guruji still rocks and will give google the run for money in India….its now India vs US ....I played the recent contest at guruji too and I think it was an amazing way to get me to use their product and i feel these guys will make a huge difference..i am by all means with guruji and their big supporter having moved away from google to guruji..for me all that defines india is guruji…GURUJI'S forge ahead INDIA is with you all the way.!!!

tough crowd for a monday, got a long week ahead.

looks promising, for gathering local information they may be using the Google Local Business Referrals (LBR) program.

Sunil: thanks for the headsup. Have updated the post.

Anon: no point in doing that. I'm sure you'll hear about this from other publications.

pls put it under You heard it last here!

Old News…..

Nice

I first read this almost a month ago. So I am wondering what makes you say, you are reading it first here ?