Goo (search engine)
Goo is an Internet search engine and web portal based in Japan, which is used to crawl and index primarily Japanese language websites. Goo is operated by the Japanese NTT Resonant, a subsidiary of NTT Communications. The name is derived from the phrase, "global network continues to expand to infinity ∞". The site's mascot is a goat named Megu-tan.
History
Commercial operation
NTT-X was established as an operating company in 1999, and goo began full-fledged operation. In May goo started "goo shop", a shopping mall, a tie-up with Recruit, a joint project with Nikkei Newspaper Inc., an Internet research project jointly with Mitsubishi Research Institute, further enhanced as a portal. Goo's most popular service, "goo dictionary" started as the portal's free dictionary service in partnership with Sanseido. It was then working with rival Yahoo! JAPAN. Goo search results were displayed on Yahoo! JAPAN where there was no applicable search result. In 2004 and beyond, the search engine and information provision service of the portal site of the NTT provider such as OCN, Plala, WAKWAK, etc. are often using goo's search engine.In 2001, Goo opened a child-friendly counterpart to its search engine known as Kids Goo. However, this service was closed on March 31, 2017.
"Teach me! Goo" was a user participation type Q & A site, 2.88 million monthly visitors, formerly partnered with "OK Wave".
Other services included "environmental goo", goo blog, content distribution of the former BROBA. Goo was operated by 300 people as of 2015.
On April 14, 2025, Goo announced that "Oshiete! Goo", a Q&A website, and "Goo Blog", a blog hosting service, will be closed on September 17 and November 18 respectively. "Oshiete! Goo" launched in 2000, while "Goo Blog" launched in 2004. In May, Goo announced that "Goo Dictionary", running since 1999, will be closed on June 25, 2025.