“Knowledge” Replaces “Search” For Google

Google’s no longer in the “search” business — it’s now in the “knowledge” business. OK, not exactly.

TechCrunch points to a April 11, 2011 SEC filing that discloses a job-title change for Alan Eustace, Google’s Senior Vice President, Engineering & Research. He has become Google’s Senior Vice President, Knowledge.

It was widely believed that Eustace was promoted to “SVP of Search,” with the product-centric reorg that recently happened:

• SVP of Search — Alan Eustace
• SVP of Advertising — Susan Wojcicki
• SVP of Mobile/Android — Andy Rubin
• SVP of YouTube — Salar Kamangar
• SVP of Social — Vic Gundotra
• SVP of Chrome — Sundar Pinchai
• SVP of Local & Commerce — Jeff Huber

There are apparently a number of related shifts and reporting changes that occurred along with the substitution of “knowledge” for “search.”

Eustace is still effectively in charge of search. Reporting to him are Amit Singhal, apparently now in charge of search quality, and former lead search engineer Udi Manber, now in charge of cultivating products that are adjacent to core search and that help develop and improve the quality of content — and knowledge — available through Google.

TechCrunch cites sources who say that Larry Page’s emerging vision goes beyond the organization of information to “understanding and facilitating the creation of knowledge.”

An interesting question here is whether this change in Eustace’s title is merely symbolic or reflective of something more substantive and momentous for Google. No doubt all will be revealed in time.

About The Author

Greg Sterling

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He researches and writes about the connections between digital and offline commerce. He is also VP of Strategy and Insights for the Local Search Association. Follow him on Twitter or find him at Google+.