How Will Google Book Search Affect Online Marketing?
Google has recently launched a service called Google Book Search, where you will be able to search through all the pages in every single book listed in the Google Library.
Launched in 2002, the aim of Google Book Search is to scan or upload every single book in the world and make it searchable using their proprietary search technology. Current partnerships with Harvard, the University of Michigan, the New York Library, Oxford and Stanford give Google access to more than 15,000,000 volumes.
In Google’s words…
“What’s the goal of this project?
The Library Project’s aim is simple: make it easier for people to find relevant books – specifically books they wouldn’t find any other way such as those that are out of print – while carefully respecting authors’ and publishers’ copyrights. Our ultimate goal is to work with publishers and libraries to create a comprehensive, searchable, virtual card catalog of all books in all languages that helps users discover new books and publishers discover new readers.”
Google also has a Partner Program, an online book marketing program, where publishers can upload their books to the Google Library and have them appear when Internet users search particular topics.
How does Google Book Search work?
It’s a simple 3 step process:
1) Users find your book(s) on Google – with Google matching the content in your book with user searches
2) They browse a few pages – users are allowed only to browse a few pages (which you can set) to see if they like what they read
3) Users buy your book - currently they will be redirected to places like Amazon, but in the near future users can buy your ‘virtual’ book directly from Google.
What does this mean for you?
Well, Google allows you to make money directly two different ways:
Firstly, you will make money from the sale of your book online. And secondly, if you allow Google to place contextual advertising on the same page as the preview text, you will share in the profits earned by users ‘clicking’ on the ads.
But what other ramifications will Google Book Search have for business?
Usually, to publish a title will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, because you have to actually publish the hard copy versions of your book. But with Google Book Search you will be able to publish a book and be able to sell it through Google without ever going to the printing press. In fact, the only cost you’ll have will be the writing of the book.
Business owners may now start publishing books, listing them on Google and then placing advertisements throughout the book directing people back to a website, or getting them to call a number.
With a lower cost of entry into the book publishing industry, individuals and businesses can now establish credibility a lot faster because they can publish multiple books, make them available online and get instant ‘author’ status.
Strategic business owners might give away their books for free, but offer promotions throughout the text getting people to visit their website or call their business.
The Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) industry is based on trying to get listed on the first page of Google and Yahoo for competitive keyword terms – there is a huge industry built around this.
Will Google Book Search be open to the same SEO practices? And if so, how will this affect the listing of books?
There’s no doubt that Google Book Search will change the way we look for and consume books. But how will the online marketing community take advantage of this new resource? More importantly, how will business owners use Google Book Search to grow their business?
Only time will tell.
Feel free to leave comments below…
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