Wikipedia Data Retrieval Interface
Was discussing the Yahoo serps with incrediBill the other night and we concluded that Yahoo has issues dealing with generic queries. Even some two word queries are returning irrelevant dot gov and edu sites, as well as leaning on wiki to save their SERPs in those and other queries. These queries have logical answers that can be split down more relevant data sets (including a local one) and provide something for most everybody. So why don't they do it?
This should be right, but it's not
Yahoo, case in point, a SERP for Link Development is so all over the place it really makes you wonder. The only relevant positions are held by WebmasterWorld. They recently added in the LinkNinja's website, but that doesn't really count since that link training program is in hiatus at the moment. Google does a better job at the link development serp, they even have Stuntdubl in there (go Todd!).
Let's get local
Then comes Google. Now tell me, does it take a rocket scientist to add a tag to service related searches like plumber, locksmith, dentist, etc. in order to put a link to the LOCAL SEARCH section of Google? They're already reading my IP address- Google knows where I live, so why not take it a step further and deliver some local type SERPS? And what is Wikipedia doing in the SERPs of a generic search that has a strong local component?
Although Yahoo adds a Yahoo Local Shortcut, the serps should, in my opinion, reflect a local bias. I realize Yahoo has to sell tickets to Yahoo Local, but does that really justify a less than helpful SERP? This goes double for Google because Yahoo at least gives the user a local search option. But doesn't it make sense to make your SERPs useful by showing some local stuff in there?
Wikipedia is to search engines what crack is to humans
Wikipedia is a great resource, but it's becoming the drug of choice and crutch for search engines. There are billions of websites out there. Surely Google and Yahoo can show us something as good as or better than Wikipedia? This is a crutch and they shouldn't feel satisfied at returning those kinds of SERPS. If they're not careful they will find themselves in the position of becoming Wikipedia Data Retrieval Interfaces.
This should be right, but it's not
Yahoo, case in point, a SERP for Link Development is so all over the place it really makes you wonder. The only relevant positions are held by WebmasterWorld. They recently added in the LinkNinja's website, but that doesn't really count since that link training program is in hiatus at the moment. Google does a better job at the link development serp, they even have Stuntdubl in there (go Todd!).
Let's get local
Then comes Google. Now tell me, does it take a rocket scientist to add a tag to service related searches like plumber, locksmith, dentist, etc. in order to put a link to the LOCAL SEARCH section of Google? They're already reading my IP address- Google knows where I live, so why not take it a step further and deliver some local type SERPS? And what is Wikipedia doing in the SERPs of a generic search that has a strong local component?
Although Yahoo adds a Yahoo Local Shortcut, the serps should, in my opinion, reflect a local bias. I realize Yahoo has to sell tickets to Yahoo Local, but does that really justify a less than helpful SERP? This goes double for Google because Yahoo at least gives the user a local search option. But doesn't it make sense to make your SERPs useful by showing some local stuff in there?
Wikipedia is to search engines what crack is to humans
Wikipedia is a great resource, but it's becoming the drug of choice and crutch for search engines. There are billions of websites out there. Surely Google and Yahoo can show us something as good as or better than Wikipedia? This is a crutch and they shouldn't feel satisfied at returning those kinds of SERPS. If they're not careful they will find themselves in the position of becoming Wikipedia Data Retrieval Interfaces.
Search Engine Commentary by martinibuster || Wikipedia Data Retrieval Interface
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