Google Launches Geographic Search Interface

Online search leader Google added a new feature to its search interface that will allow other websites make use of geographically linked information.

John Hanke, Head of Google Earth and Google Maps said at the Where 2.0 conference held at Burlingame, California that the company had opened up outside access to its Geo Search API. This means that other websites using Google Maps will be able to locate geographical features that are present in the Google’s database.

Previously, with the help of its search API, Google shared only some geographic data, with businesses lying within a local area search. But with the enhanced search API, a website could provide in-depth view of a particular area.

Moreover, Google added a new element to Google Maps that can display the existence of geotagged information, which is stored in the Wikipedia collaborative online encyclopedia. The map presents a “W” link for entries which are associated with a particular location.