Google today announced that it is opening its search index to all comers, essentially taking a page from Amazon’s anemic Alexa approach, but moving the chess pieces well past that initial strategy: partners who take advantage of the new Google Search APIs will have the chance to finally meet the man behind Google’s curtain, shake hands, and then take over the controls.
As part of the move, Google announced it would be creating a new foundation to manage an open source version of its secret sauce. Details are still unclear, but it seems Google has realized that to win in the next phase of search, you must be open. I certainly applaud the sentiment, but until Google announces its Terms of Service, I’ll reserve judgement (after all, that’s where the money will be made, and the data rights determined).
Google’s move is certain to confuse Wall St, as of this writing, the company’s stock was mostly unchanged. However, it will take weeks, if not months, to sort through the true implications of this historic move. For now, the announcement timing feels a bit …. April’s Fool-ish….