Google Helpouts Explained

Helpouts by Google
Commercial:Yes
Type:Marketplace
Language:English
Registration:Closed as of April 20, 2015
Owner:Google Inc.
Current Status:Closed, April 20, 2015
Launch Date:2013

Google Helpouts was an online collaboration service from Google which launched in November 2013 and allowed users to share their expertise through live video and provide real-time help from their computers or mobile devices. As of April 20, 2015, Google closed Google Helpouts.[1]

Operation

People offering help through Helpouts, called "providers," could be companies or individuals. Providers were required to be native English speakers and a resident of U.S., Canada, Ireland, U.K., Australia or New Zealand. They created and maintained listings that explained what they offered, their qualifications, prices, and schedules. Providers were required to pass Google's screening process to qualify.

Every listing had a link to the provider's Helpouts calendar. Once a Helpout was scheduled, it could automatically be added to users' Google Calendar, and users could choose whether they wish to be notified through email or SMS.

All payments were done through Google Wallet. Prices were set by the providers, based on either a per minute or per Helpout session. At the end of each Helpout, users were asked to write a review. Helpouts offered a money-back guarantee. If a user was not satisfied with a Helpout, the user could apply for a refund within 72 hours from the end of their session. Google had a cancellation policy that stated that some providers may have a cancellation fee.[2] In those cases customers were required to call in 24 hours prior to the session to avoid the fee, which was either 50% of the fixed session price or five times the per-minute rate.

On April 20, 2015, Google officially shut down Helpouts stating that the service hadn't, "grown at the pace we had expected."[3] [4]

Categories

Helpouts categorizes help into the following categories:

References

Notes and References

  1. http://googleblog.blogspot.in/2013/11/introducing-helpouts-help-when-you-need.html Official Blog: Introducing Helpouts: Help when you need it over live video
  2. Web site: Helpouts . Cancellations - Helpouts Help . Google Inc. . November 15, 2013.
  3. Web site: Google Helpouts Help. Google Inc.. May 6, 2015.
  4. Web site: Opam. Kwame. Google is shutting down live lesson marketplace Helpouts in April. The Verge. February 15, 2015 . May 6, 2015.
  5. Web site: Vest. Jeremy. Google Helpouts: Video Training from Experts. Learning Solutions Magazine. May 6, 2015. November 21, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131215110639/http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1309/google-helpouts-video-training-from-experts . December 15, 2013.