Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Rod Paradise]

Finding a lot of things (such as your search) is a lot more difficult on Google these days (since some very large algorithm changes made about 2 years ago).

What Google has done is replaced relevant 'pages' with relevant 'sites' for a search. This isn't actually good for the user.  What they are trying to do it get rid of spammy pages/sites from its results, but in doing so it's thrown the baby out with the bath-water.

For example, if you're looking for a diesel Volkswagen golf in Leicester - your search might bring back half a dozen results from one site (for example Gumtree, AutoTrader, Motors.co.uk) - but the pages it returns aren't necessarily helpful for your specific search.  Google is saying that the site is probably going to have something you're looking for, but not necessarily on the pages it suggests.  Other sites might have a more focused page that matches your exact search, but because they aren't a 'brand' that Google recognises as such, it's far less likely that they will appear on the first page of results (and even less likely that they'll appear at the top of the first page).

Same goes for lots of other things, such as electronic products.  The results are dominated by Amazon, eBay, etc., as the thinking is that these sites will have the product you're looking for, but the page listed in the results might not be the best match to your specific search. 

This has hurt a lot of smaller retailers, and the way Google used to work was more 'democratic' and the smaller guy could compete with the big retailers if they made the effort to appear to be an expert in a particular niche.  Now it's getting a lot harder to rank for these searches.  Of course, Google can do what it likes - it's a business after all and it doesn't 'owe' anything to these businesses who are looking for a 'free' ride.  But as it has a virtual monopoly in the UK search market, its actions have a massive impact on lots of businesses.

It also means it's difficult for Tom to get his ends.

So is there an 'old style' search engine that we could use?

[booder]

Finding a lot of things (such as your search) is a lot more difficult on Google these days (since some very large algorithm changes made about 2 years ago).

What Google has done is replaced relevant 'pages' with relevant 'sites' for a search. This isn't actually good for the user.  What they are trying to do it get rid of spammy pages/sites from its results, but in doing so it's thrown the baby out with the bath-water.

For example, if you're looking for a diesel Volkswagen golf in Leicester - your search might bring back half a dozen results from one site (for example Gumtree, AutoTrader, Motors.co.uk) - but the pages it returns aren't necessarily helpful for your specific search.  Google is saying that the site is probably going to have something you're looking for, but not necessarily on the pages it suggests.  Other sites might have a more focused page that matches your exact search, but because they aren't a 'brand' that Google recognises as such, it's far less likely that they will appear on the first page of results (and even less likely that they'll appear at the top of the first page).

Same goes for lots of other things, such as electronic products.  The results are dominated by Amazon, eBay, etc., as the thinking is that these sites will have the product you're looking for, but the page listed in the results might not be the best match to your specific search. 

This has hurt a lot of smaller retailers, and the way Google used to work was more 'democratic' and the smaller guy could compete with the big retailers if they made the effort to appear to be an expert in a particular niche.  Now it's getting a lot harder to rank for these searches.  Of course, Google can do what it likes - it's a business after all and it doesn't 'owe' anything to these businesses who are looking for a 'free' ride.  But as it has a virtual monopoly in the UK search market, its actions have a massive impact on lots of businesses.

It also means it's difficult for Tom to get his ends.

So is there an 'old style' search engine that we could use?

Here you go Rod.

[RED-DOG]

This is a great read.

Click to see full-size image.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Jungle-Harrowing-Adventure-Survival/dp/1840246723

[kinboshi]

Finding a lot of things (such as your search) is a lot more difficult on Google these days (since some very large algorithm changes made about 2 years ago).

What Google has done is replaced relevant 'pages' with relevant 'sites' for a search. This isn't actually good for the user.  What they are trying to do it get rid of spammy pages/sites from its results, but in doing so it's thrown the baby out with the bath-water.

For example, if you're looking for a diesel Volkswagen golf in Leicester - your search might bring back half a dozen results from one site (for example Gumtree, AutoTrader, Motors.co.uk) - but the pages it returns aren't necessarily helpful for your specific search.  Google is saying that the site is probably going to have something you're looking for, but not necessarily on the pages it suggests.  Other sites might have a more focused page that matches your exact search, but because they aren't a 'brand' that Google recognises as such, it's far less likely that they will appear on the first page of results (and even less likely that they'll appear at the top of the first page).

Same goes for lots of other things, such as electronic products.  The results are dominated by Amazon, eBay, etc., as the thinking is that these sites will have the product you're looking for, but the page listed in the results might not be the best match to your specific search. 

This has hurt a lot of smaller retailers, and the way Google used to work was more 'democratic' and the smaller guy could compete with the big retailers if they made the effort to appear to be an expert in a particular niche.  Now it's getting a lot harder to rank for these searches.  Of course, Google can do what it likes - it's a business after all and it doesn't 'owe' anything to these businesses who are looking for a 'free' ride.  But as it has a virtual monopoly in the UK search market, its actions have a massive impact on lots of businesses.

It also means it's difficult for Tom to get his ends.

So is there an 'old style' search engine that we could use?

Here you go Rod.

Booder's spot on with this one.  If you're looking for a local supplier of products you might well be better off with a business directory rather than a search engine.

Only problem it means you have to call up the businesses one at a time to find if they have the product you need, and you can end up doing a JR Hartley.

[kinboshi]

"it is rather old"

[MANTIS01]

Yeah, I feel sorry for the kids in this digital age too. Must be tough having to choose between playstation and x-box, what blu-ray to watch on their home cinema, or which exotic porn site to visit next. When I was a kid I had a skateboard, a Mr. Frosty, and an old copy of Razzle. Sure is tough for kids these days.

You had a skateboatd, a Mr Frosty and a copy of Razzle you jammy bastard?

I had one roller skate, an icicle from the rain spout in winter, and a glimpse of Bridget Wilson's blue serge knickers when she came down the slide.  

Ha brilliant. I've been raised all-in.

One technological advance I still marvel at is sat nav. You sit in your car and your phone takes you door to door anywhere you want to go. I find it amazing. But then again I think about how things used to be, running into a random petrol station in a new place and flicking through the A-Z, asking strangers for directions and just glazing over as they speak and still having no idea, following your sense of direction before finally finding your destination. Whilst that is more hassle and challenging I can't help but think I've lost some kinda Bear Grylls urban survival skills as a result. I mean people now end up driving into the middle of a lake cos the sat nav said so.

Yeah, enjoyed Lost in the Jungle too. One thing that struck me was how essential tools are to us. If I remember there were some wild pigs and he was wondering how to catch them but without tools he simply couldn't. If he had a knife instant game-changer.

[Mohican]

Had to Google 'serge knickers'. Still none the wiser as to what they actually are.

[Rod Paradise]

Finding a lot of things (such as your search) is a lot more difficult on Google these days (since some very large algorithm changes made about 2 years ago).

What Google has done is replaced relevant 'pages' with relevant 'sites' for a search. This isn't actually good for the user.  What they are trying to do it get rid of spammy pages/sites from its results, but in doing so it's thrown the baby out with the bath-water.

For example, if you're looking for a diesel Volkswagen golf in Leicester - your search might bring back half a dozen results from one site (for example Gumtree, AutoTrader, Motors.co.uk) - but the pages it returns aren't necessarily helpful for your specific search.  Google is saying that the site is probably going to have something you're looking for, but not necessarily on the pages it suggests.  Other sites might have a more focused page that matches your exact search, but because they aren't a 'brand' that Google recognises as such, it's far less likely that they will appear on the first page of results (and even less likely that they'll appear at the top of the first page).

Same goes for lots of other things, such as electronic products.  The results are dominated by Amazon, eBay, etc., as the thinking is that these sites will have the product you're looking for, but the page listed in the results might not be the best match to your specific search. 

This has hurt a lot of smaller retailers, and the way Google used to work was more 'democratic' and the smaller guy could compete with the big retailers if they made the effort to appear to be an expert in a particular niche.  Now it's getting a lot harder to rank for these searches.  Of course, Google can do what it likes - it's a business after all and it doesn't 'owe' anything to these businesses who are looking for a 'free' ride.  But as it has a virtual monopoly in the UK search market, its actions have a massive impact on lots of businesses.

It also means it's difficult for Tom to get his ends.

So is there an 'old style' search engine that we could use?

Here you go Rod.

Booder's spot on with this one.  If you're looking for a local supplier of products you might well be better off with a business directory rather than a search engine.

Only problem it means you have to call up the businesses one at a time to find if they have the product you need, and you can end up doing a JR Hartley.

Cheers Booder - no I was meaning a search engine that gave pages since google no longer does. I used to like going on a 'google wander' - but now you get too many results pointing to the same site to plough through....

[Rod Paradise]

Had to Google 'serge knickers'. Still none the wiser as to what they actually are.

Description here:

http://auntyeuni.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/knickers/

[RED-DOG]

I've made my bed, now I have to lie in it.


Two days this took. making the 'hinge open / slide out' mechanism was like trying to solve a Chinese puzzle.

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[pokerfan]

Didn't get any end caps then ....

[tikay]

Didn't get any end caps then ....

Yeah, it did not go un-noticed.

Shoddy, imo.

[RED-DOG]

Didn't get any end caps then ....

Haven't had time to go and fetch them.

Might order em off tinternet....

[Steve Swift]

Looks like a Black  and Decker work bench to me?  Yours looks quite neat and young compared to mine, think mine must be 30 years old.  Not often a B and Q bought  B and D piece of equipment makes the distance.

I Hope that you have many more years of use out of yours

Steve

[pokerfan]

Have you ever thrown a roses or quality street tin in the bin ?