In the past two weeks, Google has released several updates for its mobile search service, adding localization and making searches easier – as well as adding extra dimensions for search engine optimization (SEO) professionals to consider.
Google has supported localized search on iPhones through that device’s Safari browser for several months now, but recently broadened its support to include Windows Mobile phones. Google’s local app categorizes search results based on the current location of the device doing the search, making it easy for users to search for the nearest ATM or restaurant.
Additionally, Google’s Android mobile operating system contains these features plus several more, with barcode scanning – simplifying price comparisons for shoppers – in operation since May. The company also says that it is "constantly improving" its voice recognition software, which is available on Blackberry, iPhone and Android devices.
Further broadening the potential market for search engine optimization (SEO) is an updated version of Google’s statistical and factual search engine, Google Squared. The company has made the results page – or "square" – more robust, providing more information to searchers.
