3 ms·

My understanding is that it's not just search results we're talking about here. Search for "x-men first class san francisco" and the first thing you see isn't a

by moskie 15y ago

My understanding is that it's not just search results we're talking about here. Search for "x-men first class san francisco" and the first thing you see isn't a search result, but information from Google's Movies service. Various similar feature exist like that, such as with flight information, stocks, weather, etc.

trafficlight 15y ago
Which is okay in my book. Why shouldn't they be able to do that? It's not like Google search is a public service or that our tax dollars are funding it's operation.
- 404error 15y ago
  Touché. A message to other search engines: "Step your game up!"
- itswindy 15y ago
  OK, if your site gets demoted by Google, do you really know why? I mean they are bought links, spam etc which are obvious, but what if G met and decide that X sector should have lower priority in search results. How do you know they aren't demoting their competitors? Not sure if the government can help here but that are a lot of legitimate questions.
  - trafficlight 15y ago
    Again, so what? It's their product and they can do what the want with it. I just their product on the results it gives me. If the results aren't satisfactory, I'm free to use another search engine. I also think that if your entire business relies on the rankings of an algorithm of a third party company, you are doomed anyway.
    - itswindy 15y ago
      'I also think that if your entire business relies on the rankings of an algorithm of a third party company, you are doomed anyway.* What you say makes sense but especially a startup can very easily go under. It doesn't take much for Google /MS /Apple etc to kill them and that results in less competition /innovation. Google loves the fact that 70% of search traffic passes through them, but with that come responsibilities according to the law. It's not an ideal comparison but what if the power company said, I don't want your money, no power for you? Or the TV station with 70% market share that owns a competing business to turn you down for a legit advertising?

by moskie 15y ago

trafficlight 15y ago

Which is okay in my book. Why shouldn't they be able to do that? It's not like Google search is a public service or that our tax dollars are funding it's operation.

404error 15y ago
Touché. A message to other search engines: "Step your game up!"
itswindy 15y ago
OK, if your site gets demoted by Google, do you really know why? I mean they are bought links, spam etc which are obvious, but what if G met and decide that X sector should have lower priority in search results. How do you know they aren't demoting their competitors? Not sure if the government can help here but that are a lot of legitimate questions.
- trafficlight 15y ago
  Again, so what? It's their product and they can do what the want with it. I just their product on the results it gives me. If the results aren't satisfactory, I'm free to use another search engine. I also think that if your entire business relies on the rankings of an algorithm of a third party company, you are doomed anyway.
  - itswindy 15y ago
    'I also think that if your entire business relies on the rankings of an algorithm of a third party company, you are doomed anyway.* What you say makes sense but especially a startup can very easily go under. It doesn't take much for Google /MS /Apple etc to kill them and that results in less competition /innovation. Google loves the fact that 70% of search traffic passes through them, but with that come responsibilities according to the law. It's not an ideal comparison but what if the power company said, I don't want your money, no power for you? Or the TV station with 70% market share that owns a competing business to turn you down for a legit advertising?