Google Kills Real Estate Listings on Maps
Posted by jonathan at 11:49am EST on 01/27/2011
Just under two years ago, in July 2009, Google announced the ability to sell or rent property through Google Maps.
Why is the real estate feature being removed? Lack of use. The feature just didn’t get as much pick-up as they had hoped.
This can be true for any Google product they put out.
For example, Google shut down Lively back in 2008 because it wasn’t getting the traction they had planned on.
This is a wise decision as with any business, you shut down or close the features/products/services which aren’t getting enough traction or generating any revenue directly or indirectly.
Michael M
Jan 27th, 2011
I see Google coming out with a ton of great products on the market for free, but lacking the huge marketing fanfare that other companies create with their product launches- Think Google Buzz, Latitude, Wave, etc.
I think their marketing plan may be to create such great products that people catch on by word of mouth and knowing the product is superior (think Gmail) but for most products, you still need to provide the marketing campaign to go with it.
I’m sure Google knows this as they make some ridiculous amount of money each year off marketing for other companies.
But I digress…
David O'Donnell
Feb 3rd, 2011
I think a Google Real Estate product would have been more successful if it was separate from Google Maps. It would still use the same Google Maps technology, just be a separate, more marketable product, perhaps with more RE features built in.
Moon
Feb 12th, 2011
Well, this stinks. I use it all the time. I haven’t used in the last 2 weeks because I’m in the process of buying a condo. Today when I tried it, nothing.
Too bad. It really worked well.
fransanisco
Feb 16th, 2011
I miss my google real estate. I want it back.
Kathy
Feb 19th, 2011
Please bring back Google Real Estate on Google Maps! Best quick source for properties on the market.
Jonathan Dingman
Feb 19th, 2011
agreed! I really wish they would.
Mike
Feb 20th, 2011
“Discovered” Google Real Estate in early January and was very disappointed when it disappeared. It was useful in researching a new apartment for my son, vacation rental home searches for spring and fall trips, and a move-up home. I’m also annoyed at Google’s other appear and disappear ventures, like Google 411. Why invest time or energy in gmail or any other Google service. It may be gone next week/month/year.
Marc Milgrom
Feb 20th, 2011
I second. I just realized it was gone, and everyone I ever showed it to thought it was an amazing feature, but tellingly none previously knew about it. Its lack of uptake says more about Google’s failure to market it than any product shortcomings.
Rich
Feb 21st, 2011
I also agree Google real estate is the only way to find homes quickly
Realtor.com and all the other search engines are limited and way too slow
I wish they would bring it back
omaha homes
Feb 28th, 2011
Such step taken by an Google would be bad towards the real estate business.I don’t think why Google have taken such step.I believes that Google in few weeks again keep Google Real Estate on Google Maps…
google Real Estate
Jun 5th, 2011
Yeah, Google left the real estate business. The MLS systems are just too regional, and I believe that Google thought that it would have a battle on its hands. In the long run…I guess they just felt that it wasn’t in their best interests…