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Caroline O'Donovan reports at Buzzfeed that Google plans to announce a new product aimed at connecting Google search users with local home-service providers — like plumbers and electricians.
Currently, Google searches for things like plumbers and electricians return links to service providers along with associated AdWord advertisements. Sources said the new product would go beyond this presentation format to actually connect search users with service providers.
Google isn't the only tech company looking to tap into the huge and rapidly expanding home services industry. Amazon just launched its new Home Services site, which allows Amazon shoppers to search, select, and pay for things like landscapers and car mechanics without ever leaving the site.
Amazon is offering more than 700 services that include just about anything that might require a professional to come to your door. Tasks are searchable on Amazon, just like any other product, and there are no estimates — offers will be priced by the professional before the job takes place. Amazon says it vets all the professionals for the invite-only program before inclusion. "It's a pretty natural extension of our business to move into the service space," says Peter Faricy, vice president of Amazon Marketplace. "In talking to customers, they don't feel like anyone serves their needs end to end. You can pay a subscription to get reviews, but why not just do that on Amazon for free?"
(Score: 1) by tftp on Monday April 13 2015, @08:22PM
I'm curious as to how vetting is done by two of the most notoriously cheap companies in the universe, Google and Amazon. Do they really spend money on quality control, and check people out?
I wouldn't expect that at all. None of their people are tradesmen. You will get a set of Web pages where they allow plumbers to register and sell their services. Then customers would be able to log in and buy those services. It's all pure software, but both sides will be paying to use it. If you don't like a plumber, all you can do is to write a bad review and to click on a button "Hate." What else would you expect from a software company?
(Score: 2) by pnkwarhall on Monday April 13 2015, @11:15PM
>>both sides will be paying to use it.
Nope--just the home service businesses. Since when has Google created consumer-side paid services?
Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
(Score: 1) by tftp on Monday April 13 2015, @11:52PM
Since when has Google created consumer-side paid services?
Every user of Google pays to Google just by existing. That gives Google ability to sell rights to advertise to that customer and to sell information about that customer. Not every payment has to be made in cash. GMail always collected its fee by looking into the content of user's email - something that nobody else dared to do.