Disqus - Latest Comments for GlobalFusion

Re: Google perpetuates the American .com myth

GlobalFusion — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:51:32 -0000

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply.

I've heard your idea about having a google.us. But how likely is that considering the millions of dollars they and other corps have invested in branding their .com sites? We are talking about a combined investment that exceeds trillions.

Since you're close to Lionbridge, you know that Google is one of, if not the most localized site on earth. Why would they want to go with a .us when that will create a lot of headaches for them? The rebranding itself will be enormous since for Americans .com equals to Internet and USA. I agree with you that it is narrow minded to think .com = USA, but it will take years and huge investment to change that mentality (.us domains are slowly but steadily raising in demand, but are not at the level of a .com whatsoever.)

From the domain standpoint, ICANN has not made dramatic changes in the way TLDs were structured until very recently with the incorporation of full IDNs, Geo targeted TLDs and branding domains to be approved in second semester of 2009. And there is a lot of reluctancy by the ASCII community to embrace IDNs. However, that itself will not justify to push locally for a more nationalized version of a google.us.

Augusto

Re: Google perpetuates the American .com myth

GlobalFusion — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:06:19 -0000

John,

Google already rewards sites (to some degree) for their localization efforts by improving their positioning in local search. Webmasters can Geo Target websites with Google Webmaster Tools by asigning especific locations to folders, subdomains and gTLDs. Unfortunately, there is a default option for ccTLDs, which is completely absurd. And there is nothing known about how they are dealing with IDN's and regionalized domains like .asia other than they are treated as language based not country based.

Also, you are not considering Global search and Universal Search, which alters the way the internet functions.

Eventhough I am in favor of a more democraticed web, and an enhanced global approach to online activities, we cannot completely disregard the years of history that .com domains have and their association with the US and the beginings of the Internet. My analogy will be, why not call the Latin Alphabet Spanish Alphabet since that's what people associate the term Latin with the most and companies are investing in positioning that phrase in non-Hispanic/Latino consumers?

Look forward to your response.

Augusto

Re: The coming gTLD explosion (or not)

GlobalFusion — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:35:47 -0000

There is already a land rush for IDNs driven mostly by speculation and led by domainers more than final users. And those domains are not even full IDNs, only the second level+ was already adapated into non-Roman characters. Wait until full IDNs become available to really see the change. Russian President has been pushing tremendously for this to happen, so they might as well become the first country with full IDN's and geo located. Nice!

There is lots of resistance in the ASCII community to acknowledge the way these changes are going to impact their investment. Not to mention the combined Trillions of dollars that have been spent in the development & marketing of these domains in the 40+ years of Internet existence.

While there is going to be an increase in use for full IDNs like Cyrillic, the cost of main gTLDs will go up because of the speculation. .com, .net and .org will hit higher prices.

For branding purposes, "some" companies will benefit with the the new plan to be implemented in late 2009. This process will have to be carefully thought out, because possible impacts in their brand extension. It may take time until the company-based TLDs really get positioned in the consumers minds. Having an .ebay or .google will alter the way TLDs are seen in the corporate world. Same with city-based Top Domain Levels. .paris, .ldn, .nyc are firm candidates.

Interesting changes are happening!

Regards,

Augusto