Google Base begins to roll out the verticals

A lot of people have been seeing new Google Base verticals popping up - and indeed the Google Base homepage has suddenly had a number of new categories added to it. The full list is now:

Michael Nguyen is calling it Google Base Creep (as in scope creep) and he pointed out how you can keep tabs on the next Google Base vertical:

"Want to see the next Google Base vertical page? Add “&ui=g” along with “&a_n0=term” to the query. If the page returned is usable, you’ll get a sneak peak at the upcoming interface. (Google Research Articles, Google News and Articles, Google Events)"

We're beginning to see evidence of Google Base competing with eBayI suspect it's much more than scope creep. While the blogs category seems odd and the protein database too niche for most, some of these new categories are looking very usable for mainstream people. For example the Google Events page which incorporates Google Maps into it. Here's a small screenshot (click here for larger screenshot).

If I was one of the little Web 2.0 events startups, I'd be pretty worried about this. Google Base is basically Google's database of structured content and once they start heavily promoting Google Base to the masses, via the Google search homepage, it'll very easily dwarf the databases of all the little vertical players.

Google Jobs is another one that is relatively nicely done, especially in its integration with other Google products like Google Local and Maps.

The interface of Google Jobs won't worry the likes of SimplyHired, because their services are still a lot deeper and focused. However the integration of Google's growing list of Base-derived verticals with core products such as Maps and (in time) e-commerce - that will have the smaller vertical players biting their fingernails.

Also the big companies like eBay will be sitting up and taking notice. There's been a lot of talk in the past about Google Base competing with eBay, but it's only now that we're beginning to see the evidence of it.