Take a Google tour

New link on home page

[rjohara]

Google now shows a new link on its home page:

New! Take your search further. Take a Google Tour [google.com].

They have so many extra features now, and are trying not to make the home page portal-ish, that I suspect they have discovered many people don't know what's available. Looks like a good idea to me.

[Macguru]

They are selective on tourists. I cant get the tour from Canada. ;)

[rjohara]

Try this if it doesn't re-route you:

[google.com...]

[coconutz]

Take the tour here:

www.google.com/tour/services/index.html

pack lightly

[vitaplease]

Good idea.

Is the services and tools [google.ca] link new as well?

[Ambiorix]

No problems viewing it from Belgium. Nice page indeed...

[Macguru]

Thanks for the link guys!

Yes the "services and tools" link is new on Google.ca. Not available on French Google.ca homepage yet.

When I go on Google.com from Canada I cant see the link on homepage neither than the M L King Logo.

It seems they are lauching Froogle to the public now. I will download a lot of logfiles tomorrow! :)

[Tor]

Practical option for those who are not aware of the various options in Google. Most "normal" users (my wife for instance) are not aware of the different features that Google has.

[aus_dave]

I agree Tor. I wrote an article for my site recently on the lesser-known Google features most of us take for granted.

I'll have to update the article with a link to the tour now ;).

[jpavery]

"Your ultimate destination has it all"
"...contemplate other ways Google can improve your existence."

WOW! what a bold statement. I guess it is partly true since google can improve my wallet which will affect all other parts of my life. I wonder if they can give me spirtual fullfilment.... Note I did refer to google as my "Gods" in a recent e-mail to my boss.
JP

[Tor]

This is, in my opinion, also a new step in the direction of creating a Google portal to compete with Yahoo.

[Brad]

>>portal

Tor I was thinking the same thing. This has portal stamped all over it.

Hmm, they missed the anti-SEO section of Google on their tour.

[Tor]

Hmm, they missed the anti-SEO section of Google on their tour

I don`t mind that. Do you? :)

[nicebloke]

>missed the anti-SEO section of Google on their tour

Oh, don't worry that page is ranking pretty well on its own now.

[running scared]

I was slightly suprised to find the "I'm feeling lucky" tool mentioned. Do people actaully use this feature after they have tried it once? IMHO if Google wanted to de-clutter their service, this would be the first feature that I would remove.

Oh, don't worry that page is ranking pretty well on its own now.

Witty!

[EliteWeb]

Quite a few people use the Im feeling lucky button, maybe they dont know it takes them to the first result or maybe they do.

[running scared]

EliteWeb - do they use it regularly after trying it out or do you feel it is purely used becuase curiosity gets the better of the user?

[jbinbpt]

Nice. Clean. Well Done...
When do the TV ads start?

[SlyGuy]

Do people actaully use this feature after they have tried it once?

Sometimes, when I'm really, really bored and just staring aimlessly at the screen, I'll type in an obscure pair of words (wood toast, fat jacket) and hit the I'm Feeling Lucky button.

Yes, it's true that it is only the first listing of the SERPs, but it saves a click.

Occasionally, you find some interesting stuff.

- Chad

[Brett_Tabke]

>I'm feeling lucky

Is that awesome branding or what?! That simple 3 word phrase has done alot for Google to build brand.

[scotty]

I actually make out-bound links from my sites using the "I'm Feeling Lucky" URL. For example, creating a link to the most relavent site (according to Google) about a certain phrase.

[Visit Thailand]

This is, in my opinion, also a new step in the direction of creating a Google portal to compete with Yahoo.

I hope not, but the only way google could ever compete with Yahoo at being a protal would be if they did email as well. That is the only reason I ever go to yahoo.

[coconutz]

Their "Shameless Self-Promotion" is back at the bottom of the SERP's again.

New! Take your search further. Take a Google Tour [google.com]. ^{Shameless Self-Promotion}

[hakre]

maybe there is a portal.google.com in the lab... ;)

but i think they won't do. google is for search not for getting all kind of info on one page. these portals are completely unuseable.

[Tor]

I hope not, but the only way google could ever compete with Yahoo at being a protal would be if they did email as well.

I think there is a [e-mail] in their lab already. :)

[hakre]

yeah, get your google.com adress. that would be a nerds real kick. wtf. this is a way to impress your girlfriend really. gosh ;) i want one!

i'll suggest this in the other google thread about the small changes google has to do....

[jimbeetle]

Is a Google portal coming? Sure. The head of the last section (services & tools) on the tour page sums it up:

"Your ultimate destination has it all."

Emphasis added.

[percentages]

"I'm feeling lucky"......stolen from Dirty Harry Movies & Clint Eastwood.

"Shameless Self-Promotion"....stolen from a Hooters' marketing concept.

Nothing new or original about the whole thing, just adding proven "catch prases" to a simple concept.

Next they will have a bookmark option called "I'll Be Back"

A toolbar smilely face called "Make My Day"

The "Google Search" button will be renamed "Engage #1"

and an option to search Inktomi results called "Hasta la vista baby"....may be that will go to AltaVista on second thoughts:)

The one big concept they added to web searching is "KISS"...the basic simplicity of the home page must be their biggest single achievement....now why can't the other SE's and portals pick up on such a simple point?