Google HotPot, Gaining Traction: Will It Be As Big As I Boldly Claimed? [GOOG, #google]

The Google HotPot Logo

Well, duh. Yeah it will. In this or another form, by Google or another company. (Though I’m increasingly inclined to believe that Google has already won for reasons I’ll explain shortly.)

Now, that’s not to say Yelp, Foursquare, Facebook Places are now about to go the way of the Friendster. But Google has this thing almost right for the one group that matters most in this equation: the average consumer.

You see, as my earlier, more clumsy attempt to explain how Google HotPot affects you so unclearly outlines, Google HotPot could become King of Location due to its sheer simplicity. It doesn’t work as well for everyone as it should, but it’s in its infancy. Some techies don’t like it, and even found it intrusive. But Google HotPot, so very geniusly, isn’t built with them in mind.

Its dead simple interface says one thing: Joe M. Customer.

(Oh, and the M. stands for MOBILE. But that’s another discussion.)

So Google HotPot could get Mega-Big. If it doesn’t, someone else will steal the idea, make it better, and that will get Mega-Big. But for now, let’s just assume

1. No one else on the planet has the resources, talent and exposure that Google does,
2. Google is showing signs to back Google HotPot with those resources,
3. A Good Deal of Time and Effort will go into listening to its users to perfect the product, and,
4. Gooogle HotPot will be integrated more closely into Google’s main search product as time goes on.

Why should we assume these four things?

Proof That Google Has The Resources (As If There Was Any Doubt!)

Well, let’s see. The – what shall we call it? – Google Talent Machine – seeks out the best in the world, and compensates them well. They’re looking for people right now, to add to their reported 23,000 employees. Call me an optimist, but I tend to think that a billion dollar company like our friends at good old GOOG might be able to keep up that pace for a few nanoseconds longer than the cute little newcomers it’s competing with.

They’re not too big to fail, and we all know they’ve had flops before, even if some of them are still alive in some form. (Thanks Google Wave. Ruin my perfect track record for predicting the failure or success of various Google products. #Jerk.)

Signs That Google is Planning to Back Google HotPot as a Winner & Listening to Its Users

They built a Google HotPot blog, complete with stories about how it might be used in relevant ways, say to plan a Thanksgiving weekend. The lead blogger, a friendly, perfectly pleasant lady named Vanessa, answers blog comments, and posts to a Google-branded Twitter account.

Not only are they listening to your suggestions about how to make Google HotPot better, there’s a full-on Google HotPot branded support center, where you can send freeform feedback, too. You know, just in case that product ideas page is too confining.

Now I ask you. When was the last time Google was so open and inviting to feedback and interaction on a toolset they weren’t sure if they’d promote or scrap?

Promotion? Check.

Listening? Check.

Engagement? Well, I’d give them a good-start check, but give the girl a break, this is still the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. So, check.

Good recipe for turning an “experiment” into a dominant force of nature.

Will Google Integrate It? Aren’t They Already?

Remember back when I said MOBILE in all caps a few minutes ago? G’head and click on that link there, buddy. Google HotPot reccomendations you’ve made follow you ” in Maps, in Place Search, and on your mobile phone.” So sayeth the HotPot page.

So if my reasoning and logic is sound, This is where I normally mention how many times everyone thinks I’m nuts when I say something will be huge and I’m later hailed as a visionary. (business blogging, Facebook, RSS – as a promotional tool, not an adoptable technology.)

I’ll have a links round-up for you later in the week, so you can read a few of those dissenting opinions and sample some of the more insightful coverage (no, not just the ones that agree with me!)

For now, if you’re a business owner with a physical location, get your Google Places listing in order – here’s the Google Places help section if you need it.. If you’re not, trust me when I say, you want a physical location.

Yes, the impact of Google HotPot will be that massive. Don’t say I didn’t get you a Christmas gift.

Finally, on a completely unrelated note, I now have to type “Robot Reba: Making Cookies,” because it has the same number of syllables and similar syllable stress as “Google HotPot: Making Traction.” If you’re ever in care of kids under 5 years old who love the Backyardigans, I’m sure you understand.