Google threw a new product called Goog-411 into Google Labs today – a free telephone based information service that could replace toll 411 calls. About 2.6 billion 411 calls are made in the U.S. each year, and it is a $7 billion/year market.
Goog-411 can be accessed by dialing 1-800-GOOG-411. The product is completely automated and there is no way to talk to a human for additional or clarifying information. You tell it your city and state, and then ask for a specific business or business category. In my tests the product was excellent. Although the voice recognition was only working at about 70% efficiency, I just said “back” and retried when it didn’t understand what I said. Results are spoken back or text messaged back to you, and you are automatically put through to the phone number requested.
GOOG-411 is using Google’s normal local business information available on Google Maps and elsewhere. Businesses that want to add or correct data can do so here.
The product competes head on with Jingle Networks, which has taken 6% market share in the U.S. 411 business over the last year. AT&T is also experimenting with free 411 calls. None of these products come anywhere close to as good as TellMe’s rich client business information tool for mobile phones, but few phones support TellMe at this time (TellMe was recently acquired by Microsoft).
The paid 411 market is so dead. I’m betting these free alternatives take at least 50% market share within a couple of years.
Update: This is actually a product that Google’s been testing in various formats for some time. Steve Poland (a regular contributor here) is pointing me to some posts (and here) by Greg Sterling from last year that discuss this. The earliest reports on this are from October 2006, and the service may be from an acquisition of 1-877-520-FIND. More information here.
Google must be blocking Skype. I am able to use 800-Free411 but not the Goog411.
I tried 800-Free-411 a while back, and once was enough. When I need a number, I need it NOW, not after listening to advertising blather. I hesitantly tried 800-GOOG-411 today and was thrilled with the experience. I have worked on Nuance implementations, and they all require tuning, so no surprise there. This one seems to be have gone through much tuning and is very impressive. I do lament the job losses, but at least they are not going off-shore (at least not directly).
I’ve never used 411 – paid or otherwise.
Wow!
Google likes to be everywhere there is information. I especially loved the fact that it connects you directly to a business.
Alas! Can’t use it where I stay.
This is good service. But I am always looking for reverse phone number search (google).
This is really nice to have on the cell, with no charge. It does seem to have some trouble hearing, so you have to speak very clearly.
Great idea, thanks GOOGLE!!!!
Of course paid-411 is dead. People hate paying for services. Its that simple. A 50% market penetration in 2 years is feasible and then user-activity will avalanche towards full market participation.
Yes it doesn’t look like it’s working with Skype. On mine it dials up and then quits few seconds later without making the connection. Otherwise it looks like a useful service for the PSTN phones.
doot da doot da doot da doot da dooot da doot da da da da
doot da doot da doot da doot da dooot da doot da da da dah
google is doing good; when you have invested everything in data –
– You have to re-invest everything into; making that data accessible / this means launching new apps / widgets / websites / and now tele – services –
– Im waiting for the Google Phones book; and Im for real!
-RB
Seems like the voice recogniation software does not understand city names like Winston-Salem.
When I tried Houston, TX it worked like a champ. I like the text message feature.
A great idea, especially since small business can freely update their data. Next will be associated community reviews to create the Yellowpages/Small Business Administration in one stop. That will be the ultimate.
I just tried “Chipotle” – worked like a champ. I say “Chi-POAT-lay”, google says “CHI-Pot-el” – but nonetheless nails it and gives me the locations. killer
What I am most excited about is to see how FREE-411 responds to the Google threat. According to Josh Kopelman (RedEye VC) it has taken 6% of the 411 market. Now we see a player like Google enter the space:
Will it play out like what happened to Kiko (The Y! combinator calendar service) after Google calendar launched or will it be a able to hold its ground and continue to increase market share?
The one thing 1-800-FREE411 has going for it is the fact that Google cant really tie it into search/Gmail (which is what it did against Kiko)/Local (?). So it has to use “real” marketing tactics to spread the word. Still I give Google a good shot!
I work for 411 through DeltaCom. I hope it is not dead!! I guess there are always people who have nothing better to do with their money than to pay for 411 calls. And how is the vocal recognition with the foreign customers? I have had alot of customers who do have a very strong accent and need a live operator to understand what they are talking about.
This is pretty cool. I wonder if all the other services like this (google sms search) all use a common algorithms or if they are independent of each other.
I say Hurray if 411 is dead! I do however feel little sorrow for people like June and whole families who work for the money greedy pigs called the phone industry.
411 used to be the first 5 times a month was free. Then they charged you a reasonable amount for going over. This paid for your saleries and then some. Then a bright money pig wanting advancement at the phone company realized the cash cow is could be and a multi-billion dollar market sprang up overnight. So good for US! I only wonder if we are being set up again….
WOW THIS IS SO EASY TO USE I LOVE IT GOD JOB GOOGLE
I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE GOOGLE
your ervice is useless
I just wish you could dial 411 on your phone and get a real person like the old days. Not only would this provide a needed employment base, 411 operators, but you could actually explain that they werent understanding the name you were giving them, take down the spelling and give you the correct number unlike the computerized version now popular to all 411 programs.
Not pleased with the phone purchased, and the promise on free 411 button. When I use it I am being charged, also told by phone co. that any time I use 411 in any capacity there is a charge, and was charged $1.25 . Will you explain this?
Try 866-FREE-411 instead
good
I have been a user of 411 service but there’s one provider that guarantees good service. Im in Toronto, and I saw free 411. I tried it and it worked pretty well. I texted Dominos Pizza on Danfort, Toronto, ON to 275411(ASK411), and after a few seconds I received a text message with the phone number. I believe they have a free trial service until January 31. I googled ASK411 and found the site, it says there that their charge after the free period is only 50 cents. For sure that doesn’t hurt anyone’s pocket, huh!
will some oen e-mail me and help me
Very interesting service! It’s about time Google steps in. After all, they seem to be the masters of information.
$5 says it don’t work in Canada…
LEAST OF ALL IN LA BELL PROVINCE DU QUEBEC!!!
I bought a portable phone and its got the 411 on it is there any way to get it off? I cant get a dial tone does the 411 have anything to do with that?
Is this True? They do data mining on your cell phone number, location, and what your looking for then they sell it and you start getting unwanted calls on your cell phone….
Lately when I use google free and I state the business name and location, it gives me a completely different business and location. Is this temporary
Google free 411 is frustrating and worthless!!! AT&T 800 yellow pages works every time. If the automated system can’t understand the listing then you get an actual human who will assist you. Google 8 out of 10 times never finds what you are looking for.