What Is Google Up To: Google has just implemented today a new feature to the Google toolbar, which has an install base in the millions, called SideWiki to allow users of the toolbar too comment universally across websites and independently from the publisher who owns the content being commented on. Kutano, Glue, DotSpots, and other are working in a somewhat similar space, but none have 1% of the reach that Google can bring to the table over night.
The product works as an expandable sidebar that will be included in all upcoming downloads of the Google toolbar. You can download the toolbar here if you want to jump the gun. Google has now immediate plans to monetize the service.
What This Means: Well, several startups just took a few shots of vodka to get through the day. Given that there are any number of startups working in commenting on websites, and another batch working on commenting off websites, having Google come storming into their space is anything but welcome. Even more so, what an odd move by Google. It seems that Google wants to have its fingers so deeply stuck into the bowl of the internet that you cannot take a bite without giving fellatio to at least on of Google’s digits.
From another angle, this might mean that Google might be opening their checkbook in the next few weeks, looking to grab talent from one of the other companies working in the space.
What We Think: This idea has yet to catch on, and Google will not make it work unless it can bring at least one million active users to the platform. Given the limited Google toolbar install base when compared to the total size of the internet, I doubt that people will flock to the service, knowing full well that most of the population will not be able to see their newly scripted comments. There are plans by Google to add an API, but if I pull in the comments from SideWiki and place them next to the other comments on my website, what have I accomplished?
Google may pull this off, but we bridle slightly at Google taking over yet another area of the web, especially one as important as commenting to free speech online.
