Business
Is Google already a portal?
The launch of Google Finance has sparked lots of discussion about Google either being or not being a portal and got me thinking -- what does Google think a portal is? A quick search "define:portal" reveals some definitions I think describe Google perfectly.
The launch of Google Finance has sparked lots of discussion about Google either being or not being a portal and got me thinking -- what does Google think a portal is? A quick search "define:portal" reveals some definitions I think describe Google perfectly.
If they are not already a portal, how will we know if it actually does become one? Keeping Google Personalized Homepage in mind, read these definitions of "portal" -- straight from Google:
- Usually used as a marketing term to described a Web site that is or is intended to be the first place people see when using the Web. Typically a "Portal site" has a catalog of web sites, a search engine, or both. A Portal site may also offer email and other service to entice people to use that site as their main "point of entry" (hence "portal") to the Web.
- Web sites that serve as starting points to other destinations or activities on the Web. Initially thought of as a "home base" type of Web page. Most major search engines and directories have positioned themselves as "portals". Often portals offer free services like e-mail or search functions with the objective of building traffic so they can generate advertising revenue and sell products.
- Portal is term in widespread use since early 2000's that describes the general approach to delivering a wide range of relevant information in a simple, concise, and attractive format for an audience.
- A super site that provides a wide variety of services including web searching, news, free email, entertainment, shopping and more. It's a virtual "door" that opens up to a plethora of online services. It's often the first screen that a user sees after logging on.