Google’s stepping-up its efforts to stop people from using “google” as a verb. They’ve posted a correct useage guide on the official Google blog, in an attempt to gently persuade people to not use Google incorrectly.
Usage: ‘Google’ as verb referring to searching for information via any conduit other than Google.
Example: “I googled him on Yahoo and he seems pretty interesting.”
Our lawyers say: Bad. Very, very bad. You can only “Google” on the Google search engine. If you absolutely must use one of our competitors, please feel free to “search” on Yahoo or any other search engine.
I applaud the attempt, after all, Google must show that it is at least trying to police its trademark – important, if you want to keep it – but with hundreds of millions of users, it’s unlikely they’ll win this battle.
Now, please excuse me while I go and google a story about some yahoo who went shopping after asking his webMD why he kept going (micro)soft. [groan]
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Andy Beal is an internet marketing consultant and considered one of the world’s most respected and interactive search engine marketing experts. Andy has worked with many Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, CitiFinancial, Lowes, Alaska Air, DeWALT, NBC and Experian.
You can read his internet marketing blog at Marketing Pilgrim and reach him at andy.beal@gmail.com.
