Matt Haupt

For those of you who don’t know, when I read, I usually reach for non-fiction books. I’m not really sure what it is, but I have always found real life situations to be a little more interesting. (although I have read every single Harry Potter book…more than once; don’t judge me) For those of you who seem to find non-fiction books that focus on the mysteries of everday life, I would have to say Malcolm Gladwell is an author for you. He has two best-selling books in “The Tipping Point” and “Blink” and just recently had his brand new book “Outliers” released today. Here are some brief descriptions of the books. If you are interested in advertising, psychology, sociology, philosophy or behavior, these books are right up your alley. The Tipping Point The Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed best-seller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas. Blink In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think about thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant – in the blink of an eye – that actually aren’t as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while other are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work – in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that impossible to explain to others? Outliers If you would like some information on the Outliers, check out Malcolm Gladwell’s website and blog. I’m sure this one will be another best-seller. What do you think of Malcolm Gladwell’s work? Have you read “Blink’ and “The Tipping Point” yet? What’s the most interesting thing you have learned?

I just have one question for all of you “Google Haters” out there…

Why?

Recently, I was sent an article (through Twitter, my source of information) that you can find on PCMag.com by John C. Dvorak entitled “Why Google Must DIe”. Throughout the article Dvorak explains why Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, has made it harder for the average consumer of information to find what they are looking for through Google.

(First let me point out that he mentions how terrible Google is but barely mentions other search engines who follow basically the same concept as Google, such as Yahoo!)

He goes on stating some of the problems that have developed over the years surrounding SEO and Google, starting with:

Inability to identify a home site. You’d think that if I were looking for Art Jenkins, and Art Jenkins had a Web site named Artjenkins.com, search engines would list that first, right? Most often this page is never listed anywhere.

I’m sorry,  but I am having trouble believing that someone looking up a SPECIFIC keyword that is in a URL name would have trouble finding that site on Google. I do not know much about SEO in general, but I do know that one of the most important aspects is having the keywords in your URL. I’m sure if Art Jenkins did have a website with a URL of ArtJenkins.com you would be able to find it not only on the first results page, but in the first couple of results. (ArtJenkins.com is currently parked by GoDaddy, probably one of the reasons why it is NOT showing up in any results in the first place).

Too much commerce, not enough information. There seems to be an underlying belief, especially at Google, that the only reason you go online is to buy something. People merely looking for information are a nuisance. This is made apparent anytime you look for information about a popular product. All you find are sites trying to sell you the product. Hey, here’s a challenge: Ask Google to find you a site that honestly compares cell-phone plans and tells you which is best. Try it! All you get are thousands of sites with fake comparisons promoting something they are selling.

Again, this seems to be a stretching assumption on how Google sets up their results. Google was built by people who were looking for a easier way to access INFORMATION, not to sell products (even though this could technically be a form of information). Why would this be a nuisance to the search giant? I would like Mr. Dvorak to do a little test on Google for me. Say you are in the market for a camera phone, but do not know much about any phones, or pricing; how would you look for those results?

Keywords: Camera Phone Reviews

Wait? What? The first result is one of the most respected sites for electronic reviews, CNET? Google looks pretty on to me.

Parked sites.

Again, ArtJenkins.com is parked by GoDaddy.com. It DOES NOT show up in the first page of results. Even if Art was just an example, in my personal experience, on rare occasions do I find these parked sites through Google (who probably filters these results to the best of their ability). When I do happen to move on to one of these site, it is most likely because I spelled the name wrong in the URL (try spint.com instead of sprint.com).

Unrepeatable search results. Ever run a search a week later and get completely different results? In the end, you have to use the search history and hope you can find it. Can things change so drastically day-to-day that the search results vary to an extreme month-to-month?

Can they change so drastically? Short answer – OF COURSE! There are around 132,000 new domains registered each day, and that does not include the amount of pages that are attached to those domain names. Why wouldn’t results change as pages and domains are updated with new information?

He then goes on to point out how, while signed in to your Google account, you will have different results than someone who is searching while not logged in. Although this may be a problem when trying to find the same link using the same keywords, I believe that the personalization of your search while logged in provides more benefits than a simple downside of not being able to tell a friend how to find a link through Google (why can’t you just send them the actual link??).

Dvorak goes on to spew some nonsense about Google not being able to find the “best of the breeds” sites when you are searching for your information. Obviously Dvorak doesn’t remember searching back when the phrase “Google it” would get you some weird looks and probably a laugh or two.

Although search engines are not perfect, they have improved over the years to still be THE BEST way to find information online, and in the U.S., Google is the leader of that pack (with Yahoo! close behind).

The fact is, Google and other search engines need to strive in order for us to enjoy the internet to it’s full potential. As for SEO, the monster that puts “bad” websites up in page rank, I still think it’s better than not having any SEO at all. Think of this as a partnership between the sites/pages and the search engine, so the engine can make the best decision possible on what to show in their results. Yeah, there are some bad apples, but if on that first results page I can find 10 great sites and one bad one, I’m going to consider my search accomplished.

What do you think? Is search really that bad? Has there not been any improvements?

-also-

How could the search engines improved their results for you?

There always has to be a lame first blog post, and here it is. Welcome to my world.

I’m not really sure what the “topic” of this blog will be. It could be anything from politics, to interactive media, to philosophy, to psychology/consumer behavior.

Leave your comments — negative feedback is great too.

Don’t be too mean though. I have feelings too.