Google steps into Facebook's turf with hyperlocal query app Neighbourly

Google is stepping into social networking giant Facebook’s territory with its new app called Neighbourly that will allow users to ask queries and get them answered by other users in their vicinity.

The internet giant on Thursday launched the beta version of the hyperlocal app for the users in Mumbai, and said it would take a call on rolling out in other cities based on the response the company receives. Available on Google Play Store, the app supports smartphones with Android Jelly bean and higher versions operating systems.

While Google has existing platforms like Search, Assist and Local Guides to cater to a number of different queries that users may have, the new app will be a standalone platform without integrating any of these services for the time being, said Josh Woodward, Group Product Manager at Google’s Next Billion Users team.

“Google Search got started by connecting people to information on the web. We found that most of life happens within one km radius of where you live, so we created an experience from the collective knowledge within the range,” said Woodward. Neighbourly lets people share their own expertise and keep up with their neighbourhood safely through multiple queries they can post and view on the app.

While the app is available in Mumbai for now, users in other cities can join the waitlist for the service. Google will take a call on new regions to roll out the service based on the response to the waitlist as well as feedback from users in Mumbai, said the Neighbourly team. It is currently available in eight Indian languages besides English.