9/16/2005 11:17

Okay, I admit it...I have a serious Google problem. I must Google at least 10-15 times a day. I use it for almost everything. So you can imagine my delight at seeing Janet's post yesterday about Google's new blog search capabilities.

She and I have chatted at length about the myriad benefits of Google, and she often shakes her head when I talk about all of the ways I use it. For example, on any given day, I might go to Google for:

*Media coverage searches: Google News is still one of the best ways to find out who is writing about Marqui and our competitors. Sure, there may be more comprehensive services out there, but Google is free and it's fast.

*Industry research: Need a stat on the size of a market? Just type in a few keywords along with "statistics" or "market size" and you'll find all sorts of relevant information from analyst groups, etc. Of course, it's important to double check any stats you find and adhere to any copyright restrictions to avoid legal issues, but it's a good place to start.

*Images: Many people don't seem to know about Google Images but this is a great little tool for finding logos or images for presentations. (Legal disclaimer: Once again, watch out on the copyright front!). To provide an example, during preparations for a recent Marqui Webinar, I needed to gather photos of the speakers. Unfortunately, one of the speakers couldn't locate a digital photo. I popped onto Google Images and within 30 seconds found a photo she had used at a previous speaking engagement.

*An online dictionary: Can't remember the exact definition of "paradigm"? No problem. Type "define: paradigm" into Google and you'll get all kinds of definitions and references to the word.

*Spell checking: Since Google thoughtfully flags potential misspellings with a polite "Did you mean...?" it is great for sorting out whether a word like "embarrassment" has one "s" or two.

Obviously, there are more tricks out there, but I only have so much time to indulge my little addiction this morning. And on that note, I must sheepishly admit that while writing this post, I got curious about who else is using the term "Googleholic"...so I Googled it...and found more than 12,000 results.

Guess I'm not alone.

Perhaps this is why Google has such a lead over the other search engines. According to Nielsen NetRatings metrics, Google leads the search market with 46 percent share, while Yahoo! had 23 percent, MSN had 13 percent and AOL had 5.4 percent.

Googleholics unite!

Posted by at September 16, 2005 11:17 AM

Comments

Dee Rambeau email - adventures-in-business-communications.blogsite.com

Tara,

love the new look...very snappy.

Erin Caldwell email - erin.prblogs.org

Ah! I had no idea about Google's "define" feature ... that will certainly come in handy. One more thing to add to my Google toolbox!

I love Google -- it's an infinitely huge playground for those of us that are hopelessly curious.

(I hope other communications and PR professionals also recognize it's value as a reference tool and a starting point when looking for information.)

Katie email - katie.prblogs.org

I think I'm a Googleholic too! I Google everything...I visit the search engine at least 3-4 times every time I'm at my computer, which is several times a day. It is a great resource for compiling information, or at least using search results as a springboard. It is the first place I go when I am starting a school project or when I am trying to figure out the artist of a new song on the radio. Any time a friend has a random question about sports, people, or basically anything under the sun, my first response is usually, "Let's Google it!"

For example, the other night, three of us were watching the USC v. Arkansas game on television. My roommate kept asking questions about the schools and player stats, so I finally brought my laptop into the living room and spent half the game playing with Google.

Thank you so much for sharing how you use Google. Like Erin, I didn't realize that the “define” feature existed; I probably take the long way to find a definition. So short-cuts are always nice. I also wasn't aware of Google News or Google Images features. I will definitely enjoy exploring their functions and capabilities.

Darien email -

I'm not alone! The first step in getting over addiction is to admit it to yourself...I am a Googleholic! Except, more than likeky I will not be able to break this addiction. It has been so much help to me as well. I have never realized how much I use Google each day. Not only that, but it is the only search engine tool that I use. When I was reading you mini-list of what you use Google for, I completely indentified except on some of the features that I was unaware of.

More specifically, I use it as a reference tool for projects or papers that I have to write. I have used Google many times to look people up and find people. Like Katie said above, and I have said many times as well, "Let's Google it!" Sure enough there is an answer waiting for me and usually more than just one.

I usually don't use Google News because I get my news from other sources but I might have to check it out. I also was unaware of Google's define feature. That could be very helpful. Thank you for the great post. I am glad that now we know this weird addiction is not as weird as we might have thought.

Tara email - blog.marqui.com

Since it appears there are a lot of fellow Google fans out there, I'll share one additional, completely un-business related tip:

If you ever have a song stuck in your head and can't for the life of you remember what it's called or more than 1-2 lines (an unfortunate occurance that seems to be happening to me more and more frequently as I get older), just type in whatever words or lines you remember along with "song" or "lyric" and I can almost guarantee that you'll find the full lyrics/song title online in about 30 seconds.

Sad that I know this, isn't it?

Erin Caldwell email - erin.prblogs.org

Oh, that lyrics search tool is definitely going to come in handy! I've spent entire days frustrated over the fact that I can't remember the name of the song that's been running through my head all day ... problem solved.

And honestly ... it's not sad ... but I am curious how you know that! :-) Did you just come upon that one day, or was that a tip passed on by someone else?

Kelli email - kelli.prblogs.org

<p>There is finally a word for it, "Googleaholic!" I too visit google.com about 10 times a day to find information for school, internships, and random stuff like sports statistics and celebrity gossip.</p>

<p>Just the other day I was in my room and my friend Jennifer ran in to find out what Ball State's mascot is. Within seconds I had the answer for her. Like Katie, there are so many times in which I hear my friends say "Let's Google it!" in a conversation. I think someone should trademark it like Paris Hilton's "That's hot."</p>

<p>Although, I must say as much as I use google.com to search the web for information or images, I rarely use the other features that google.com has to offer. I am always in need of definitions or correct spelling of words. I usually get stuck copying and pasting things into Microsoft Word. I also wasn't aware of Google news, so thanks for the tip. The industry research will also come in handy, if not now, definitely when I enter the real world outside of my college bubble.</p>

<p>As for the lyrics search, I am always driving other people crazy by singing the wrong words to songs. It is definitely not sad that you know that, so thanks again from me as well as my roommate who will be able to hear my sing the right words from now on.</p>

Jessica email - www.jessica.prblogs.org

Google is quite possibly the best thing to hit the internet since...EVER. Music downloads come in at a close second, but that topic is for another day.

As you mentioned, the benefits to using Google are limitless:

I too enjoy the spellchecking function of the site, especially since the word “relations” always seems to read “realtions” when I type it.

Whenever I'm asked to do any kind of research for classes, Google is the first place I turn. The library is so middle school. Google is also the jumpstart of every one of my blog postings.

This summer I used Google to research potential companies that I would be working with for Tiger Nights, a late-night programming event that Auburn's University Program Council holds once a semester.

When my sister wanted me to do some artwork for my nephew's Winnie- the-Pooh-themed nursery, she sent me links to websites that had pictures on them that she liked, which was exhausting to search through. The next time I went home, I showed her how to use Google images. She was amazed at how much time it saved her. (She's an image addict now as well.)

Since one of my friends introduced the tools to me, I have also been using Google news alerts and Google Talk. These people really are geniuses.

Not only was I able to relate to your post, but I learned from it and its comments. I had no idea that the define function existed, but I'm sure I'll be using it quite frequently now that I'm aware.

Can we all start a Googleholics Anonymous now? But instead of it being a bad thing, we can just share fun tips like all of these.

Mallory email -

Obviously, you are not alone. There are many "Googleholics" out there, especially in public relations. I love search engines. Google is my main site and I go there at least 10 times a day. Sometimes I spice it up a bit and go to alltheweb.com. I don't vary from the two though.

One of my favorite places on Google is Google pictures. I took an art history class a few semesters ago and Google pictures was my most valuable source. Any time I have wanted to find a picture of anything, it has been available to me through Google.

Another extremely important use of Google is searching for information on someone. Before first dates, some of my girlfriends and I have Googled our date to see if we can dig up any dirt on him. This could be either really scary or interesting.

Those, along with all of the uses you listed, are what make Google the browser that is most used and loved for so many people.

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