New Google site highlights journalism tools on offer

Google has launched a site dedicated to highlighting the portfolio of its tools which can be of particular use to journalists, outlining the functionality of each.

Effectively, the Google Media Tools site acts as a one-stop-shop which journalists can visit to not only get an understanding the technology on offer from Google, but also how it can be used to support or power their work, with links to industry examples for inspiration.

According to its own description, the site aims to act as a "starting point to tap into Google’s suite of digital tools that can enhance newsgathering and exposure across television, radio, print and online".

"Whether it’s refining your advanced search capabilities, improving audience engagement through Google+, or learning how to visualise data using Google Maps, this website is intended to guide you through all the resources Google offers to journalists".

The site, which appears to have been showcased at the Online News Association conference in the US today but was launched on Monday (14 October), is organised by journalistic task, with tools placed in sections depending on whether they would be used to "gather and organise", "engage", "visualise", "publish" or "develop".

It offers advice on how to use tools such as advanced search or Google Analytics, as well as communicate with the audience via Google+ Hangouts or YouTube.

There also links to "additional resources" which, while not necessarily central to the finding and publishing of some stories, could, according to Google, be useful to "enhance international stories about politics, threats to free expression, natural disasters and more". Examples of tools which appear under this heading include Google Crisis Response.

In total 27 tools feature in the resource, which also offers tutorials in some cases to help journalists learn how to use the technology.

Last month, when Google turned 15-years-old, Journalism.co.uk reported on 15 ways journalists can use Google products in their work.

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