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The Google Directory was a web directory hosted by Google and is based on the open source project DMOZ. It was discontinued on July 20, 2011. However, the Google business places and recommended businesses is now commonly referred to as the Google directory.[1]
 | |
Type of site | Web directory |
|---|---|
| Available in | Was available in about 86 languages |
| Owner | |
| URL | directory.google.com |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | No |
| Current status | Discontinued |
Information
editThe Google Directory was organized into 16 main categories. The directory with its upper level topics and sub-categories could provide more specific results than the usual keyword search.[2]
- Arts
- Business
- Computers
- Games
- Health
- Home
- Kids and teens
- News
- Recreation
- Reference
- Regional
- Science
- Shopping
- Society
- Sports
- World
The World link offered the directory in other languages. The Kids and Teens link was a separate web archive for kids and teens.
The Google Directory was based on the Open Directory Project.[3] Unlike the keyword search function of Google, the directory organization was created by humans.[2]
Structure
editMain page
editThe main page had links to the 16 main categories,[4] along with the World and Kids and Teens links. There was a search box on top that allowed users to search the Google Directory. On top of that was the slogan in green letters: "The web organized by topic into categories." On top of that were links to other Google services.
Main category pages
editEach main category page had links to sub-main category pages in alphabetical order, as well as a search box on top of it. Each sub-category entry is followed by a number that gives the number of items in that sub-category.[4] Sub-categories would be created as needed, and eventually the user would get to a page with no more subcategories. Each page might have links to related categories. Some links were redirects to other pages.
World link
editThe World link had the names of languages. If the user clicked on one, they would be taken to a version of the directory in that language.[2]
Kids and Teens
editAs the name states, it had pages for kids and teens. It was completely disconnected from the rest of the directory, so if you clicked it by accident, you would have to press the back button on your web browser.
Connection with the Open Directory Project
editThe Google Directory was completely built upon the Open Directory Project. Google integrated its PageRank system and its search system into it. Everything was green. There were links on the bottom so that the user could contribute to it.
Trivia
edit- If a search result was also in the directory, Google included a link to the respecting category.
- If someone wanted to have a listing in the Google Directory, they would have to be listed in the Open Directory Project.
External links
edit- An archived copy of the Directory is available on the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive. One such entry is here.
- Example of a World page of alternate languages.
References
edit- ^ Tara, Calishain; Rael, Dornfest (2003). Google Hacks. O'Reilly. p. 76. ISBN 9780596004477.
- ^ a b c Sarah, Milstein; J.D., Biersdorfer; Rael, Dornfest (10 March 2006). Google: The Missing Manual: The Missing Manual. O'Reilly Media. ISBN 9781491909782. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ Michael, Busby (October 2003). Learn Google. Wordware Pub. pp. 99 and 99. ISBN 9781556220388. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ a b Ted, Coombs (2008). Google Power Tools Bible. Wiley. p. 113. ISBN 9780470377444. Retrieved 25 July 2023.