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2009-07-03
Google optimizes search results for feature phones in 38 languages


By Giselle Tsirulnik , July 3, 2009
Google optimizes search results for feature phones

Search in different languages

One of the top goals of Google’s mobile search team is to bring users the comprehensiveness of Google's Web search while optimizing the experience for mobile devices in the appropriate language.

After launching new optimized search results pages last December for iPhone and Android-powered devices in the United States, the team has been working hard to bring universal search results to more devices in more countries.

Search results are formatted to be neatly displayed on the mobile screen, so there's no need to scroll side to side

Local search results include easier-to-press "Get Directions" and click-to-call links.

Maps are shown by default in the case of a single listing or accessible by the "Show map" link for multiple listings.

For users wanting to access the classic desktop search results format, it's only a click away, with the "Classic" link near the bottom of each page.

In March, the team expanded the availability of the new iPhone and Android format to over 20 countries.

Since then, Google has launched the new experience for feature phones in the U.S. and in Japan.
As of now, the new format is available on all device models in more than 60 countries and 38 languages.

This means that whether users has a smartphone or a feature phone, if they have mobile Internet access they can get the new mobile-optimized Google Search results pages on their phone just about anywhere in the world.

All they need to do is go to Google.com in their browser and do a search.

The new format provides improved support for the universal search results we are all familiar with on the computer.

When available, news, images, blog, video and product search results are blended right into the results page.

Many of our favorite Google Search features now appear in the first result to provide direct answers to searches.

Google continue to optimize specific results for mobile, so local listings for restaurants in London, for example, provide easy-to-select phone number links.

Associate Editor Giselle Tsirulnik covers ad networks, advertising, content, email, media, messaging, legal/privacy, search, social networks, television and video. Reach her at giselle @mobilemarketer.com.



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