Search engines are often used by someone looking to find the answer to a question. Mostly the search engine they use will deliver an acceptable result. However, occasionally there comes a time when there simply isn’t the required level of information on a subject to satisfy the user.
Google has attempted to remedy this by adding the “Universal Search”. This is their measure to deliver relevant information about a specific search.
In recent times the top search result was always a web page. This is no longer the case, in a universal search the top result can be a youtube video, a podcast and sometimes even an image.
Is this providing enough?
Not so long ago I was searching the web for Canadian directories. I began the search on google.ca (Canadian Google). Some good results were returned on the first five pages but after the searches were unrelated sites that happened to feature the words “Canadian” and “directories”.
Next I ran the exact same phrase on the Yahoo and MSN search engines. I noticed that it returned the same results.
This got me wondering. Are these 40 or so directories the only ones in Canada? I seriously doubt it.
The point I’m getting at is that although these search engines do a phenomenal job, they really ought to do better. Another thing that concerns me is Googles recent trend to refer to their business as an advertising platform as opposed to a search engine.
I fully understand what they’re saying though, they’re a business and all businesses need to evolve to stay current with the times. However, when you start to neglect your roots and the core reason for you standing so high on the pedestal I think it signals the beginning of the end.
It’ll take a long time and massive effort to remove Google from its Search Engine throne. The same was said of Microsoft in the 90’s. They were once regarded an unmovable force in the IT industry. Is that the case today?
Tags: Search Engines, SEO