Media

Once again, Google is attempting to break into a “new” market – this time, it’s social media. In the wake of Facebook and Twitter, Google has for some time now offered its own social networking service: “Google Buzz.” However, Buzz has generated relatively little, well … buzz. So, Google is trying again, unveiling its new “Google Offers” service, which takes on another frontrunner in social media – “social buying sites” such as Groupon or LivingSocial.

Perhaps most interesting on a local level is that Google is introducing this service for the first time ever – in Portland, Oregon. Google Offers inaugural deals will come at place like Powell’s Books, Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, and Floyd’s Coffee – well-know local Portland haunts. Portland first, with New York and San Francisco to follow. Now that’s a trend we should all be lend support to.

As to why Google chose Portland, representatives for the tech giant explained, “[W]e picked a city that has a high concentration of local businesses and a flourishing, connected community.”

This is a great phenomenon for Portland – and not just for the frugal consumer. With the ubiquitous spread of social media into all facets of life, the City of Portland and its businesses should seriously consider how we can take advantage of our apparently unique and valued position as a potential test market. There will of course be “growing pains” – such as when the advent of “Yelp” lead some businesses to incentivize customers for positive reviews for themselves (or negative reviews for their competitors). But the benefits that local businesses – and Portland’s economy– can obtain probably far outweigh the negatives, if we properly leverage this increased visibility.

All in all, local Portland businesses should be cautiously optimistic about the attention and visibility that Google Offers will bring.