Google, Microsoft to Go Hard After Classifieds

Google is preparing to make a hard push into the classified ad space, according to this job listing. The job opening seems to confirm earlier rumors around “Google Automat,” a service that could tie into the Google Base database service and “Google Purchases.”

According to the job listing, Google is growing their “world- class sales team to assist in the sale of targeted advertising solutions to advertisers in the Classifieds space...As a member of Google's Vertical Markets Group, your main responsibility will be to develop and execute on a strategy for driving ad sales with all advertisers in the Classifieds category on a national/international level, working with all sales channels and resources (DSO, ISO, Online).”

Does this mean that Google is trying to compete head on with Craig's List? It sure seems that way.

UPDATE: Greg Yardley has evidence from a Microsoft blogger that the software giant is also targeting the online classified market with its new Freemont project.

Technorati Tags: Advertising, classifieds, Google, Google Automat, Google Base, Microsoft