Is Google Testing Classifieds and Auction Software?

Posted on October 26, 2005

CIOL reports that Google may be working on a new service that targets classifieds and auction listing website like eBay.com.

Analysts and blog commentators have been abuzz this week over purported Web page screenshots showing a new service called "Google Base." Another related service could offer online payments and would put Google head-to-head with eBay Inc.'s PayPal payments service.
"Google Base" as depicted in screenshots on Google-watching sites encourages users to post details of their small business enterprises, articles on current events, automobile listings and even scientific research.
"We are testing new ways for content owners to easily send their content to Google," Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez said in a statement.
"We're continually exploring new opportunities to expand our offerings, but we don't have anything to announce at this time," Rodriguez added.

Search Engine Roundtable has a post about the mysterious Google Base which includes this link to a screenshot of a site where people can enter information about a house. This could potentially be a glimpse of Google's plans to compete with Craigslist.com, a leading classified website as well online real estate listing websites including eBay's Real Estate services.

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