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What Would Google Do?
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“Eye-opening, thought-provoking, and enlightening.”
—USA Today
“An indispensable guide to the business logic of the networked era.”
—Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody
“A stimulating exercise in thinking really, really big.”
—San Jose Mercury News
What Would Google Do? is an indispensable manual for survival and success in today’s internet-driven marketplace. By “revers ...more
—USA Today
“An indispensable guide to the business logic of the networked era.”
—Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody
“A stimulating exercise in thinking really, really big.”
—San Jose Mercury News
What Would Google Do? is an indispensable manual for survival and success in today’s internet-driven marketplace. By “revers ...more
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Hardcover, 426 pages
Published
January 27th 2009
by Harper Business
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How would Google run the world? How would everything look if every industry, every social activity was "googley"?
Everything would be more open, collaborative and fun, that is how. The book might be masked as an exploration of a successful way of doing things, but in reality it a call for the open-source "gift" economy in which everyone participates to create great value. It makes sense too, for much of it.
Apple posed some problems for the author though. Apparently non-open-source can also work ...more
Everything would be more open, collaborative and fun, that is how. The book might be masked as an exploration of a successful way of doing things, but in reality it a call for the open-source "gift" economy in which everyone participates to create great value. It makes sense too, for much of it.
Apple posed some problems for the author though. Apparently non-open-source can also work ...more

It may be unfair to give this book a rating since I couldn't finish it. For all I know, my complaints were resolved in the second half. So with that in mind...
It was interesting to read this book soon after a reread of Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody, as both are recent offerings by major publishers on our changing internet culture. However the strengths of Shirky's book and the faults in this one can be traced, I believe, to the two men's backgrounds. Shirky has been a professor at NYU for ...more
It was interesting to read this book soon after a reread of Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody, as both are recent offerings by major publishers on our changing internet culture. However the strengths of Shirky's book and the faults in this one can be traced, I believe, to the two men's backgrounds. Shirky has been a professor at NYU for ...more

There's this example What Would Google Do? where Jarvis talks about how newspapers could respond to Huffington Post setting up a new blogging venture in Chicago. He basically says that they should become their new best friend - forget that they are competition and think long term. They'd get more out of magnanimity than being territorial.
But, he concludes, it doesn't matter because "news organizations don't yet think that way." The thing is, no one does. People, like Marcus Aurelius said, are "m ...more
But, he concludes, it doesn't matter because "news organizations don't yet think that way." The thing is, no one does. People, like Marcus Aurelius said, are "m ...more

This is a great book, don't get me wrong I have no clue why I started reading this book in 2013 and just finished it now in 2019, 6 years later.
On the contrary, I wish I would have read it in 2009 when it was published and used in my work since then and maybe even invested in Google back then.
What strikes me however is how valid this book still is and how it connects with many other books I have read during 2019 or is currently reading.
Jarvis goes through many different areas and sectors and tr ...more
On the contrary, I wish I would have read it in 2009 when it was published and used in my work since then and maybe even invested in Google back then.
What strikes me however is how valid this book still is and how it connects with many other books I have read during 2019 or is currently reading.
Jarvis goes through many different areas and sectors and tr ...more

"Google is an avalanche and it has only just begun to tumble down the mountain."
The world wide web is an amazing phenomena in the way that religion is a phenomena. You may love it, you may hate it or you may be somewhere inbetween. Regardless where you are in that spectrum it is here and like religion it is powerful so we might as well try to learn about it. At first I thought this book was going to be about as exciting as the manual that used to come in the box with a new computer but it's way ...more
The world wide web is an amazing phenomena in the way that religion is a phenomena. You may love it, you may hate it or you may be somewhere inbetween. Regardless where you are in that spectrum it is here and like religion it is powerful so we might as well try to learn about it. At first I thought this book was going to be about as exciting as the manual that used to come in the box with a new computer but it's way ...more

Although I think this book is about 50 pages too long, I still highly recommend it to anyone trying to understand modern economy and culture. I was afraid that it would be a big bowing down to Google, which I see enough of in my career. It isn't. Instead, it is a series of case studies proving how companies like Google are leading a civil movement against closed-system corporation culture.
I didn't feel like I needed this paradigm applied to so many industries. Jarvis uses the Google template to ...more
I didn't feel like I needed this paradigm applied to so many industries. Jarvis uses the Google template to ...more

Never before have I wanted to burn a book once I finished it.
I bought this at a charity shop to see what an outsider's perspective from 2011 matched with my insider's perspective in 2015. Unfortunately, Jarvis' canonization of the all holy "link" and constant chset-pumping of his own resume make me want to save anyone else from wasting their time with this trash. The only friend I would give this book to would be someone I know to be a true masochist. ...more
I bought this at a charity shop to see what an outsider's perspective from 2011 matched with my insider's perspective in 2015. Unfortunately, Jarvis' canonization of the all holy "link" and constant chset-pumping of his own resume make me want to save anyone else from wasting their time with this trash. The only friend I would give this book to would be someone I know to be a true masochist. ...more

I will use this book in my future entrepreneurial journalism course, and possibly social media as well - which is saying a lot, because I rarely add new required texts.
If you read Jarvis' blog/follow him on Twitter etc. and are generally well-read when it comes to digital disruption, there isn't much new here - but it's still an excellent, clear summary of the way not just Google but social media and the web more generally are changing many industries, including journalism, media, and education ...more
If you read Jarvis' blog/follow him on Twitter etc. and are generally well-read when it comes to digital disruption, there isn't much new here - but it's still an excellent, clear summary of the way not just Google but social media and the web more generally are changing many industries, including journalism, media, and education ...more

I can't tell you how happy I am to be done with this book. Since I cannot let a book go without finishing it, this one became an obstacle that prevented me from moving on to other books. It was so repetitive and hollow that I wanted to punch the author for wasting my time and money.
The main idea of the book is really interesting and worth delving into, because what Google does is truly great. But Jarvis shouldn't be an author, or, he shouldn't write books. I'm sure he's doing fine writing his bl ...more
The main idea of the book is really interesting and worth delving into, because what Google does is truly great. But Jarvis shouldn't be an author, or, he shouldn't write books. I'm sure he's doing fine writing his bl ...more

This might be my favorite read so far of 2009 (although I thoroughly enjoyed Outliers and Here Comes Everybody as well). I love discussing creative disruption and this book is full of that. While some of the best ideas aren't Jeff's (Umair Haque and Fred Wilson are heavy influences and mentioned repeatedly in the book) for me it didn't much matter because of the importance and timeliness of the subject matter. If you're entrepreneur you have to read this book.
...more

Google is the biggest company of our generation. “Hey google” is the easiest way to get an answer whether you're on your phone or computer.
In 2009 Jeff Jarvis wrote a book exploring the principles that made google a success and how those could be applied to other businesses.
Jarvis explored how other industries could be “Googlefied.” Jarvis looks at all the major industries from Airlines to Soda manufactures and asks how they can be more like Google. He provides ideas and insights for a wide ra ...more
In 2009 Jeff Jarvis wrote a book exploring the principles that made google a success and how those could be applied to other businesses.
Jarvis explored how other industries could be “Googlefied.” Jarvis looks at all the major industries from Airlines to Soda manufactures and asks how they can be more like Google. He provides ideas and insights for a wide ra ...more

I think it is a good start to better understand how Google works. It is not a black hole where all our information goes, behind it were people that made the decisions on how to simulate artificial intelligence.
My granny was using Google and was always seeing it like a wise friend. This book give her an understanding on what it is behind the click, each commercial that you get depending on gender and so on.
I did not read any similar books so this makes it hard to rate it by comparison. Hope thi ...more
My granny was using Google and was always seeing it like a wise friend. This book give her an understanding on what it is behind the click, each commercial that you get depending on gender and so on.
I did not read any similar books so this makes it hard to rate it by comparison. Hope thi ...more

Posted on my blog at http://blog.liftdevelopment.com:
I recently finished reading the book "What Would Google Do?" by author/blogger/journalist Jeff Jarvis. Jarvis is probably recognized primarily as proprietor of the popular blog Buzzmachine.com. I had an interest in this book right from the start because I am fascinated with the approach Google takes to everything they do: Offering premium services for free and finding alternative ways to make their money. A lot of money.
Without giving too much ...more
I recently finished reading the book "What Would Google Do?" by author/blogger/journalist Jeff Jarvis. Jarvis is probably recognized primarily as proprietor of the popular blog Buzzmachine.com. I had an interest in this book right from the start because I am fascinated with the approach Google takes to everything they do: Offering premium services for free and finding alternative ways to make their money. A lot of money.
Without giving too much ...more

It should be 3.5 stars out of 5 (or somewhere between 3-4 stars).
In this book, author Jeff Harvis of BuzzMachine.com, discusses the concept of "Googlethink". He takes Google and studies what made today's huge company, an enormously successful organization and how that success can be transferred to other industries.
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first of which is the answer to "What/Why?" as in "What/Why is Google successful?". Jeff discusses the concepts of "Googlethink" and "Googlejuice" ...more
In this book, author Jeff Harvis of BuzzMachine.com, discusses the concept of "Googlethink". He takes Google and studies what made today's huge company, an enormously successful organization and how that success can be transferred to other industries.
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first of which is the answer to "What/Why?" as in "What/Why is Google successful?". Jeff discusses the concepts of "Googlethink" and "Googlejuice" ...more

This book is written in two parts. The first outlines the rules for how Google works and is so successful in a digital economy. In essence, he reverse engineers the company. The second part of the book applies these rules to show how different industries can apply these rules to move from being atom-based to being digital, to moving from profiting from scarcity to profiting from abundance.
I find the author's cautious but enthusiastic optimism refreshing. So many times these types of books tend t ...more
I find the author's cautious but enthusiastic optimism refreshing. So many times these types of books tend t ...more

I have to admit that the title of this book put me off from the start. Could it be a serious book based on a blatant rip off of WWJD. So I was a bit grumpy to start with, but the author won me over by the end of the book.
Jarvis does a pretty good job of pulling apart some of the things that Google has done and tries to apply it to other industries.
Google is perhaps give a bit too much credit as being the saviour of all businesses. Google got lucky with Adsense - it was a search company without a ...more
Jarvis does a pretty good job of pulling apart some of the things that Google has done and tries to apply it to other industries.
Google is perhaps give a bit too much credit as being the saviour of all businesses. Google got lucky with Adsense - it was a search company without a ...more

While the title implies that this is a book about the Internet, this book really covers a much broader topic: This is a book for all types of businesses; restaurants, airlines, real estate companies, computer manufacturers, you name it. Its subject is about figuring out what business a company is really in, and then serving its real customers. Many large companies flail around because they cannot decide on what their real products and services are. The book is about building trust in one's compa
...more

Everything in this book is at least 10 years old and in the world of the Internet that is an eternity. Pretty much everything he is saying that is so revolutionary in this book has been standard business practice for many many years and is obvious. He says the word blog about 1000 times in the first few chapters and I couldn’t take it anymore. I quit reading it after two chapters.
The story about Dell and they’re supposed turn around is BS because even though they went out and fixed problems for ...more
The story about Dell and they’re supposed turn around is BS because even though they went out and fixed problems for ...more

I love this book -- it is why I selected it for Federal News Radio 1500 AM's Federal News Radio Book Club next month.
In the end, this book isn't really about Google. It is about being agile and sharing information and how to operate in a very new and very competitive world.
I think it particularly speaks to government, which could use some new ways of thinking.
Not all of these ideas are brand new, but Jarvis does a good job building and adding to what has been out there... and fleshing out these ...more
In the end, this book isn't really about Google. It is about being agile and sharing information and how to operate in a very new and very competitive world.
I think it particularly speaks to government, which could use some new ways of thinking.
Not all of these ideas are brand new, but Jarvis does a good job building and adding to what has been out there... and fleshing out these ...more

A good one to read, and like many of Jeff's ideas.
Quotable quotes:
But could hardly agree that life is a beta. Life is never something one can come back to fix. Rather it is a road taken or not taken:
Quotable quotes:
Do what you do best and link to the rest
When you complain make sure you are giving a gift
At Google, we are the God, and our data is the bible
But could hardly agree that life is a beta. Life is never something one can come back to fix. Rather it is a road taken or not taken:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—...more
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference(Robert Frost).

A quick easy read with a some interesting comparisons of how google and ultimately the internet will open up industries. There were several references to Clue Train Manifesto and many of the positions reminded me of segments of Wikinomics and Naked Conversations but still was worth the time to read.
If nothing else it will force you to look at inefficient business processes and the business of innovation itself.
If nothing else it will force you to look at inefficient business processes and the business of innovation itself.

Jan 28, 2011
Michael Carnell
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Geeks, new media types, and business folks
Hard to give the one a rating. Jeff Jarvis is a brilliant guy and he has some really good insights into Google. The only problem is he tends to repeat himself in the book. Once his point is made, he makes it over and over again. I would recommend really reading the first third, lightly reading the second third, and skimming the final third.

Feb 17, 2012
Jacob Senholt
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
danish
Didn't have many expectations for this book, but it actually ended up giving me quite a few ideas. The last chapter on 'generation g', also brings up some interesting perspectives about the future of the modern world, and especially how technology changes the way we interact and think (resulting in future changes, 'power to the people' etc. as currently evidenced in the Arab Spring risings).
...more

Excellent. I feel like we all think we know how Google works. Simple, smart and “do no evil”. I learned a lot with this and it was very readable – this is what I am looking for when I read non-fiction. I learn a lot from reading scientific papers but they can be too taxing as they’re usually ostentatious and dryly written. Fiction tends to be easier to follow but I tend to learn less.
Google, like Amazon, found opportunity in very low profit margins. The internet as a platform is huge, so as long ...more
Google, like Amazon, found opportunity in very low profit margins. The internet as a platform is huge, so as long ...more

Occasionally funny, this book is oriented towards business and corporate heads who wish to transform their business.
The books urges you to take bold decisions (like Google would), and radically change your company. That is easier said than done. This book is only assumptions of what could be, and sadly, missing any sort of thorough study on what is. This is what made the book unreadable for me.
After losing interest over a few chapters, my interest regained after Mark Zuckerberg's story of his Ha ...more
The books urges you to take bold decisions (like Google would), and radically change your company. That is easier said than done. This book is only assumptions of what could be, and sadly, missing any sort of thorough study on what is. This is what made the book unreadable for me.
After losing interest over a few chapters, my interest regained after Mark Zuckerberg's story of his Ha ...more

The book What Would Google Do by Jeff Jarvis, is a book analyzing the current marketplace, with the introduction of the internet and google. It breaks down how google became successful. It references how other companies became successful as well. The main message of the book is to let the customers have the power, and don’t hide things from them. Google was one of the first companies to do this, and set in motion this new form of thinking. Old companies, who have stuck with their old philosophy
...more

Seriously the author Jeff Jarvis is in love with Google like I am but Jeff is more like obsessed with Google. If Google was a person, Jeff will be the stalker. I believe this is a profound book about changes in the business world created by continued advancement of the information age. The book as I read it, really is not about Google, per se. Instead it is a thoughtful discussion as to how all kinds of businesses will be impacted by the forces on which Google has so brilliantly capitalized. Ove
...more
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Jeff Jarvis is an American journalist writing for publications such as New York Daily News, the San Francisco Examiner, and The Guardian. In 2006 he became an associate professor at City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism, directing its new media program. He is a co-host on This Week in Google, a show on the TWiT Network.
Picture by Robert Scoble ...more
Picture by Robert Scoble ...more
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“Memorization is not as vital a discipline as fulfilling curiosity with research and reasoning.....Internet and Google literacy should be taught to help students vet facts and judge reliability.”
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“Writing in Library Journal, Ben Vershbow of the Institute for the Future of Book envisioned a digital ecology in which "parts of books will reference parts of other books. Books will be woven toghether out of components in remote databases and servers." Kevin Kelly wrote in The New York times Magagzine: "In the the new world of books, every bit informs another; every page reads all the other pages.”
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