JeffKirvin.net

http://www.ebookculture.com/archives/2004/10/google_does_boo.php

SearchEngineWatch reports that Google has just launched a new
program, enabling publishers to submit books for inclusion into their beta
Google Print search service. Google’s stated goals are to enhance their
search capabilities, by including book content to their huge Web database,
and make money off ad revenues. They’ve said they won’t be earning
commissions off the books themselves, unlike their main competitor in this
space Amazon.

The main part of this news, IMO, is that Google has announced it will scan
and save the full-text of a book:

“A key difference is that the new program provides an automated
account-based service for publishers to manage what’s included in the
program plus a share of ad revenues. In addition, the program scans the
full-text of books, not just small excerpts.”

Google is apparently schmoozing with publishers over in Europe, as we speak.

Just Browsing Thanks!

But it’s important to note that Google isn’t getting into the eBooks
business (yet?). Users won’t be able to read in full the books in Google’s
database. Google says:

“Google Print is designed to help you discover books, not read them from
start to finish. It’s like going to a bookstore and browsing - only with a
Google twist. Google searches across entire books in order to find the
pages that are most relevant to your search.”

There will be “content viewing limits” to enforce this!

Obligatory Web Platform Rant

I think this is another step forward in the eBooks with Web Platform vision
I’ve been writing about for the past few weeks here on eBook Culture.
Google Print, along with Amazon (who will be a key player in this space
too), will provide search functionality for people to find and browse their
favourite books - just like people do with websites and blogs nowadays.

Google Print is a pointer to the future of book browsing - and by
extension, reading. The increased availability of book data and the
enhanced functionality that the Web brings to it (filtering,
recommendations, etc), will surely help book sales and encourage people to
start reading books again. For a start, people will be able to find books
that they want much more easily than they can today.

And of course when digital books (eBooks) finally make their mark on the
mainstream, Google Print will be very well positioned to offer compelling
content services to complement digital books - advanced search options,
mixing ‘n matching content, recommendation systems, open reviews, etc. The
possibilities are mouth-watering!