By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter
Google announced Thursday it had taken over a Korean blog tool developer in efforts to tap into the impregnable Korean Web search market.
The world's no.1 Web search engine provider said it is now set to offer an Internet environment better suited to local users through the technology of Tatter & Company (TNC), the newest part of Google Korea.
TNC is well known for its signature blogging tool, Tattertools, and Eolin, a backend data framework for distributing, syndicating, and monetizing user created contents.
Google said the takeover will help it expand localized products, as well as provide advanced services to Korean users.
``We will continue to try to give Korean customers the best Web search engine service in various ways,'' Google Korea CEO Lee Won-jin said.
The current Web search market is almost completely dominated by local firms, with Naver.com atop and its rivals, including Daum.net and Nate.com, following closely behind.
Portal Web sites in Korea have been deeply engaged in the business. The service has now become the biggest meal ticket for them in combination with advertising.
Google, the world's biggest search engine, has failed to flex its muscle here, as it has a relatively small base of user-produced contents compared to its Korean competitors.
Since the success of Jishik-iN, a Q&A database service, it was contributions from active users, which lifted Naver to the no.1 spot.
Industry officials said that is the reason for the acquisition. Google will spur development of user-oriented contents using the blogging tool, which will contribute to strengthening its search ability as well, they said.
hckim@koreatimes.co.kr
