Manthan

The way I see it, google talk is all about free calls and voice ads. We can soon see google talk integrated with Google Search.

It wouldn’t be far fetched to presume that Google talk would be integrated with Google search, Google Maps etc at some point in time in the future, providing users the facility to call at the click of a button.

Consider hypothetical situation, whereby google release API similar to Google Maps, where by users can give a “call me” button my adding a piece of JavaScript/html code to any HTML capable screen. For example, www.housingmaps.com is a mash up of Google Maps and Craiglist, both of which are free applications. Just consider if users were able to call prospective sellers by the click of a button for free, that would add a lot of value add to existing offering !!

Google talk is no way than the best IM, its not even close, its not even trying to be the best either. Guess this is by design, google talk is going to usher in free calls to online businesses, but its not actually free. Perhaps the way this is going to work is Google Talk will provide a way for end customers to call a PC/cell/Land Line for free. Google will charge the advertiser for routing this call.
PC to PC is passe, its about search integrating with VoIP. My gut feeling is users search with Google search, find a business and place free call using Google Talk, but then they have to pay similar to “ad Clicks” concept.

From an advertisers perspective, any search ending in a phone call is going to be more effective than just clicking. A phone call from a prospective client would be considered as a more serious intention to establish a business contact and can be termed as a “HOT LEAD”. Obviously the rates of advertising based on “Pay Per Call” is going to be higher and that can infact make the free phone call viable for Google !!!

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