Google’s Initiatives Continue to Rock Online Spaces

Ever since its inception almost a decade ago, Google has chosen not to be perceived merely as “yet another search engine.” On more than one occasion, senior Googlers have stated that Google’s primary objective is to compile, classify and disseminate global wisdom. Google has gone well beyond the standards it has set for itself by innovating on hundreds of e-fronts and knowledge frontiers simultaneously. The Google catalog of achievements is too long to chronicle here. We have therefore identified two specific Google services  that are not only relevant to you as an online entrepreneur but await your participation so that you can both contribute to the Google mission, and in the process, increase your business in small measure through back links and enhanced targeted traffic.

Google Knol
Google Knol is Google’s global knowledge base. The term “knoll” is a phrase borrowed from Google’s own vocabulary and means “unit of knowledge.” Announced on December 13 2007 and officially launched on July 23 2008, Knol is Google’s answer to Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias.

If you happen to be an expert in a specific knowledge domain or vertical and are willing to share your expertise with the rest of the world, Google Knol is for you. Google will even pay you for your creative efforts by sharing the AdSense revenue with you.  Google Knol is much like Wikipedia or Squidoo Lens in that the content tends to be much focused. However, unlike Wikipedia, Google Knol allows you to include a resource box with a brief author bio and a web link to your web site similar to an article directory. Google’s editorial standards for Google Knol are significantly higher than that of most article directories and contributions are subject to in depth scrutiny by Google’s editors. That doesn’t mean your contribution won’t be approved and you won’t receive the benefits of being a Google Knoler. We strongly recommend that you consider writing an in depth article about your niche based on your years of hands on experience and expertise. You can submit your treatise to Google Knol, and in the bargain, not only be paid for it but also increase your online business through qualified website traffic and a worthwhile back link to your website.

Google Voice
If you know what technology convergence is, you will surely understand and appreciate Google Voice. This relatively recent service from Google, currently available to residents of the United States and expected to be rolled out globally in due course, can be best described as a confluence of multi-variant technologies including the web, the PC, VOIP telephony, telecommunication and good old human ingenuity.

The service was originally launched by a company called Grand Central and subsequently bought over by Google for a measly $50 million.  

We believe that the best way to learn about Google Voice is by signing up for the service. With Google Voice,  you can literally manage your own private telephone network, make free and unlimited phone calls within the US, call outside the US at highly discounted rates, enable call conferencing, screen and divert calls, and even route calls to preset phone extentions and numbers.  It is like owning and operating your very own virtual PBX.

If you live in the US, look around to find a current Google Voice user who can send you an invite, sign up and sample the service. It is definitely a good bet that will surely help you further streamline your customer service and support delivery mechanism.

If you live in the US, look around to find a current Google Voice user who can send you an invite, sign up and sample the service. It is definitely a good bet that will surely help you further streamline your customer service and support delivery mechanism.