Netscape’s Continued Integration of Google’s Search Engine on the Newly Redesigned Netscape.com Makes for a Powerful and Precise Tool in Internet Search
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – October 4, 2000 – Google Inc., developer of the award-winning Google search engine, and Netscape Communications, a subsidiary of America Online, Inc., (NYSE: AOL), today announced that they have renewed their partnership under which Google will continue to provide the fall-through search technology to complement Netscape’s award-winning Open Directory Project (www.netscape.com). Netscape will also continue to feature Google as a Premier Search Provider as part of its popular Net Search Program, which helps Netscape users choose from a variety of different search tools available on the Web.
Netscape.com, one of the most heavily trafficked destinations on the Internet, initially selected Google as its default search engine in June 1999 when it launched its Netscape Search service to provide the latest in leading search technology to its users.
"Over the past year, millions of Netscape Search users on Netscape.com have come to rely on the accuracy and relevancy of Google Web search results," said Jim Martin, senior vice president and General Manager of Netscape. "Netscape was the first to realize the potential of Google’s cutting-edge search technology and we are pleased to continue our relationship, which underscores our commitment to providing the best possible search tools to navigate the Web."
"Netscape’s renewal is a strong affirmation of the superior quality of our technology and a validation of our business strategy," said Larry Page co-founder and CEO of Google. "Precise search tools are critical for Web businesses because they improve website navigation and boost user satisfaction, adding significant value for high-volume websites such as Netscape. We are very excited to have Netscape, our first licensing partner, once again select Google to provide its search functionality to Netscape users."
Google’s search engine is designed to offer web surfers simple, fast, and highly relevant search results for every web-connected computer, including the emerging class of wireless devices such as handheld computers, pagers, and Internet-ready mobile phones. Google is widely recognized for its award-winning advanced search technology including sophisticated text matching and its advanced, patent-pending algorithm called PageRank(TM), which ensures that the most important search results always come up first. This scalable approach to search enables Google to get better as the Internet gets bigger.
The redesigned Netscape.com homepage, unveiled today at www.netscape.com features a redesigned layout and interface that enables quick access to information and services. The new design will help users better manage their work and personal lives, making the online experience more productive. Optimized for speed, precision, comprehensiveness and freshness, Netscape Search is built on Netscape’s Open Directory Project, the largest human edited Web directory with more than 2 million sites in more than 320,000 categories. Netscape Search is constantly updated and its categories are "freshness" dated to provide the most current information available. Netscape’s Open Directory features content and services within relevant categories that can be browsed quickly and easily.
The Google search engine will complement these services by providing Netscape’s 34 million registered users and other visitors to Netscape.com with additional search capabilities, enabling them to maximize their results.
About Google
Google Inc. provides the best Internet search experience, and accomplishes this for tens of millions of users daily by delivering a powerful, fast, and easy-to-use search service for finding the most relevant information. Google’s technological innovations have powered the company to numerous awards, including Best Search Engine on the Internet from Yahoo! Internet Life; Top Ten Best Cybertech of 1999 by TIME magazine; Technical Excellence Award from PC Magazine; and this year’s Webby Award for Best Technical Achievement.
Google also offers customized language preferences for users to search the web in their native language. International users can view versions of the Google homepage, search tips, and help pages in their preferred dialect. Current languages supported by Google include Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.
Google offers free search services through its own destination website at www.google.com, as well as co-branded search solutions for more than 100 of the Internet’s premier information content and portal developers in more than 20 countries. Customers who rely on Google include Yahoo!, Netscape Netcenter, a subsidiary of America Online, RedHat, and Washingtonpost.com. A privately held company based in Mountain View, Calif., Google was founded by Stanford doctoral students Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. Investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sequoia Capital, and partners John Doerr and Michael Moritz serve on the Google board with Ram Shriram.
Additional information about licensing Google’s custom Web search technology is available at www.google.com/websearch_programs.html.
About Netscape
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of software and services that link people and information over the Internet. Netscape pioneered the development of world-class Web browsers, including Netscape Navigator and the new Netscape(R) 6, a preview of which is available now in free download from www.netscape.com/download. Netscape.com is one of the most visited sites on the Internet during daytime hours with over 34 million registrants who have access to smart tools and services that empower users to take charge of their Internet experience. A subsidiary of America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 650-254-1900.
Netscape Contact:
Derick Mains
(650) 937-4927
dmains@netscape.com
Google Contact:
Kimberly Vogel
(650) 930-3533
kimberly@google.com
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Netscape and the Netscape N logo are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Google is a trademark of Google, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.