Google's Favorite Word: Half Of Its Products Are Still In 'Beta'

Vasanth Sridharan | September 24, 2008 11:10 AM

Gmail.jpgWe know that Google (GOOG) likes to keep products in "beta," or "incomplete," longer than other companies -- so long, in fact, that the word "beta" has lost its meaning in Mountain View. But it turns out that almost half -- 45% -- of Google's products still wear the "beta" tag, according to Web monitoring service Pingdom. Interesting find, but probably doesn't matter -- Google's "beta" products like Gmail and Google Docs are about as good as anyone would expect. 

In the meantime, we remind you to check out our detailed "where are they now?" file for Google's 100-odd products and 50 acquisitions, divided into search, maps, mobile and telecom, advertising, consumer products, social, public good, developers, research, enterprise, and statistics.

See Also:
Where Are They Now? A Decade Of Google Products And Deals You've Forgotten About

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14 Comments

hehateme said:
google does need to grow up. i think they LIKE beta because if a product sucks they can say DUHHH!. its in BETA!
Jonathan Marcus (URL) said:
What is your point? How does this justify a blog post? If Google retains the Beta descriptors forever, then what, should we short Google now?
Jonathan, I think point is: Why does Google keep all of its products in perpetual beta? Does that mean they're really not finished? Or does it mean that they are finished but Google doesn't want them measured as "finished" products? Even SAI dropped its "beta" tag w/in a year of launch...
Steve said:
There was a post yesterday about how Google justifies all of its failed new products by claiming it's beta and will improve in the future. So this is very relevant - if half of Google's products (many of which are years old) are still in beta, it may well show that Google has a different definition of beta than the rest of us do. In other words, do not take "it's beta, so don't worry" at face value.
Robleh (URL) said:
Google should sort it out. It makes them look ridiculous.
Zeta said:
Wow... it's been there so long on some Google products that I thought they'd registered it as a trademark.
az said:
bec they're constantly improving it, let it stay in beta,
gmail kicks ass, I also switched to google enterprise for corporate email & can now utilize all the benefits of gmail on that too!.
Mike (URL) said:
@az, I don't think it's a valid argument to say Google is constantly improving their products, therefore they should keep the "beta" label.

First, if that's the case, why isn't "beta" on all of their products? Are they not improving those anymore?

Second, the nature of the web allows software developers to constantly improve their products already - with or without a label. The label doesn't give you any extra powers. It was meant originally to denote the state of the software, and in which stage it was in the software release cycle. I'm pretty sure Gmail is past the black-box testing stage now.

Of course, this is all kinda nit-picky. I don't think most Gmail users care if there's a "beta" label or not... ;-)
aydan (URL) said:
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2-氯-5-氯甲基吡啶 immature. Good things come in pairs.
ernesta (URL) said:
640-802 Google's Favorite Word: Half Of Its Products Are Still In 'Beta' You're welcome. No problem. No bother. Don't worry about it Don't mention it It's not gonna work.
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