Google as a Verb

In the past two years, when I have met someone who is missing information about something, the first words out of my mouth are ‘Google it!’ I told my Dad to Google ‘seed potatoes, Burnaby’ when he wanted to plant some in his garden. I directed my friend Angela, in Germany, to Google ‘fresh cilantro, Zwichau’ to find a grocer in her city who could order some in for her. While in a village in France we Googled ‘award-winning wine, Pezenas’ to narrow down which winery (among dozens) estate we might prefer to visit. I’m still surprised when I listen to an interview and someone lists the name of a website as if listeners are waiting with pen and paper (or keyboard!) to write it down. Instead of spelling out www.freerice.com, suggest to Google free rice, rice donation, kids games rice. Heck, if I type ‘leif, seo’ our Mastermynde website comes up first! When I want to recommend a little taqueria I like in Vancouver to a friend, I Google ‘tacos, hastings’ (for Hastings St.) to get the address (which I can confirm by looking at Google Maps) of a top-notch eatery.
As a business owner, signing up to a Google account means search results will be customized to your location. Clients will get results that are close to them. If you have a local business, take advantage of local search results by claiming your Google places listing (you can create one if none exists) and be active on Google+. Google it!