Google makes business from the swine flu

You type swine flu in a Google Maps search, and you will be presented with a map in whatever locality you select with markings. You click a marking and Google will tell you how many confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu there are there.

An amazing tool. Most impressive is that it was released a day after the potential pandemic known as the swine flu broke!

What does Google gain from this fantastic service?

As with any page on any Google Search, the swine flu search does also allow space for sponsored links. Among the advertisers for that keyphrase in Australia is 'Big Pond News' a risk assessment company called 'Pandemic Planning'.

Needless to say, swine flu is currently among the most popular keyphrases to search on the internet.