Google is rumoured to be developing a tool so powerful it could dominate the online auction and classified advertising sectors. Known as Google Base , what appears to be the Alpha-phase or first development stage of the program has been featured on Google focused blogs for the past 24 hours.

There is a lot of speculation about what, exactly Google is doing. In typical Google fashion, it neither confirms nor denies any of the speculation but is trying to play down expectations. In a post to the Google Blog , Product Marketing Manager Tom Oliveri says, "You may have seen stories today reporting on a new product that we're testing, and speculating about our plans. Here's what's really going on. We are testing a new way for content owners to submit their content to Google, which we hope will complement existing methods such as our web crawl and Google Sitemaps. We think it's an exciting product, and we'll let you know when there's more news."

Many Goog

le observers believe Google Base has been designed to provide a platform for advertisers where they could have access to Google's vast array of tools and technologies, sort of like a classified site with the coolest satellite or street mapping technology available to the public. In this scenario, Google is a sudden threat to both eBay and Craigslist.

A similar line of speculation says that real estate companies, rental firms, event planners and employers seeking workers could all make use of Google Base the way they currently make use of the telephone directory and hard-copy classified ads. Perhaps Google is finding a way to supply the digital equivalent.

It wouldn't be too far of a leap to speculate that Google Base is positioning Google to become the ultimate in automated call centers for advertisers wishing to place ads in traditional media.

Whatever the purpose, something awfully big known as Google Base is coming down the increasingly massive data-pipe.

There is a lot of information being gathered by other search observers and bloggers. Search Engine Journal gives a good overview in this article by Loren Baker.