GOOG-411 (or Google Voice Local Search) is a telephone service from Google that allows users to search for a business in any U.S. or Canadian city by calling a toll-free telephone number.
The service uses speech recognition technology to connect users to their desired business.
Users that call 1-800-466-4411 are told that the call is being recorded to improve results, and then asked to say the city and state of the sought business. Users may then search for the business by name or by category, which generates a list of businesses matching the search.
They may then select a business on the list by saying “number”, or press the desired number on their phone. Once a business is selected, Google automatically connects the user to the business or sends an SMS with the phone number.
It’s pretty cool.
By saying “details” the user can also listen to the address etc.
Users can also narrow search results by zip code or street intersection.
GOOG-411 is offered to the public free of charge and does not contain advertising.
It’s actually been around a while and I’m not sure how well it has caught on. I found it useful but I’m not sold.
Now with some of the new developemnts of .tel (dottel) I am wondering if GOOG-411 usage will grow or stagnate.
