On: Why I left Google (2012)

[criley]

You know, after using Google Now on my phone, I'm confident that Google can deliver context-sensitive results that make sense. Not always, not for everything, but I bet they could pull it off in a cab just fine.

EDIT: I guess it's worth pointing out, however, that Google Now doesn't show ads.

[6cxs2hd6 → criley]

> EDIT: I guess it's worth pointing out, however, that Google Now doesn't show ads.

Not yet.

[lurker14 → criley]

Google Now shows unsolicited restaurant recommendations. They might not be paid (I don't know), but they are certainly ads.

[sses → lurker14]

That's a very loose definition of ads. Advertising typically implies that it's the restaurant promoting itself.

[bennyg → lurker14]

This is a reply to those below you, because I can't reply to them specifically.

Word of mouth is considered the best form of advertising you can get. Almost 100% of the time it's not even paid for.

[wutbrodo → lurker14]

I think being paid is pretty integral to the concept of an ad.

[equalarrow → lurker14]

Well, don't forget, they bought Zagat. So even if it doesn't look like an ad, 'recommendations' are probably just another form.