Google test drives location search tool

Google Inc. is playing with the idea that with online as well as offline real estate what really matters is location, location, location. The company’s Labs division unveiled a test version of a new search by location service Monday, allowing users to query for stores and services that are close to home.

To help users find more geographically-specific information on the Web, the new service analyzes Web page content for clues about location, like business addresses, Google said in a posting about the new service on its site.

The search tool, located at http://labs.google.com/location, includes term and U.S. address search fields. Google warns, however, that search by location is a work in progress and may be periodically taken down for improvements.

By Tuesday, two users already posted comments about the new offering on Google’s discussion board. One remarked that the quality of information returned may be spotty, since the searches only returns businesses with Web sites. Another queried whether the location searches would be extended internationally.

On the Labs site, Google said that it is looking for feedback to improve the service, however, noting that “it’s got a way to go.”

While still in beta, the new feature adds to Google’s growing search toolbox, which the company hopes to expand to retain a search market edge. The Sunnyvale, California company also introduced a news alert service and built-in calculator function in recent months.