Could the Google Phone rank search results by call volume

Our post about the Google phone patent discussed how the rumoured device could predict your search patterns based on your history, location and other known variables. Looking back at this patent and some of the comments made there were a number of features not mentioned that Google may be considering for the Google Phone.

Firstly, Google has indicated that the phone will be designed for the developing world rather than being a high end device. I don’t buy this. I believe that Google will develop a software application (Google Mobile operating system) that can be used on both low and high end devices and customised depending on the type of phone it’s being used on. They already spent a lot of time developing the bespoke iPhone application which is bound to make other manufacturers want some customised Google magic on their handsets as well.

Google makes most of its revenue from selling advertising but this isn’t easy to do on a mobile phone. My belief is that they will show location based adverts, as discussed in the patent, but using a click to call feature where the advertiser pays when the user rings them. Costings will be based on the same model as Google Adwords with local businesses bidding to appear higher up the results. Crucially there will be a section of non paid results, just like the main Google search results has on the Internet. After an initial seeding based on distance from the user Google can rank these search results based on the number of past users who have called each number.

Obviously this method of searching and ranking businesses by call volume isn’t going to be much use for some queries but for a user in London wanting the best pizza restaurant within 500 yards it should work very well.

Thanks (again) to John from wood burning stoves for the tip!

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