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Web Searchers Search Around
from the no-stickiness-in-search dept
Despite conventional wisdom saying that people just use Google for their web searches, a new study suggests that web searchers are not particularly monogamous when it comes to searching. While, yes, most people do use Google, they're not afraid to use other search engines when necessary. Most people tend to use two different search engines on a regular basis. The study suggests that a better search engine doesn't necessarily need to worry so much about prying people away from Google. There's also a ton of people who don't use search at all (who are these people?) - and the study suggests that MSN and Yahoo might want to target these people. On the whole, I'd think that converting a Google searcher may be easier, though, than convincing someone who doesn't bother searching at all why they need to start using a search engine. Still, this does suggest some of the reasons why search engines are suddenly all talking about personalization features to make their search "sticky". If it's customized to you, the theory goes, you'll want to come back. The problem with that theory is that not everyone really wants customized search, and depending on how it's set up, it could end up annoying users more than helping them.
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Google getting less useful by the day.
Unfortunately, Google is becoming less useful by the day.
To give an example, I recently tried using Google to look for specs on an aging Adaptec 1510A IDE card. The first 4-5 pages returned contained nothing but listing after listing of places I could go to buy that card (or one like it). No detailed information about the card at all. I ended up going to Yahoo (of all places) to get a relevant result.
I remember the time when Google got you the info you were looking for, today it just points to people trying to sell you stuff.....
someone247356
Just my $0.02 (Canadian, before taxes)
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Re: Google getting less useful by the day.
It's your fault.
If you google for "Adaptec 1510A IDE specs" (no quotes) the first result is Adaptec's list of supported products.
If I wanted to buy a card then leaving out the "specs" would give me the results I wanted.
geez, if you asked a human "Adaptec 1510A ?" what would the answer be? chances are the reply would be "umnn, you want one? here's some places which sell it"
This reminds me of the "Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie" comedy bit where the retired dad has a new computer and is looking for advice on refinishing his basement walls, so he is going to query for "latex basement bondage" to find a paint which would adhere properly
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Re: Google getting less useful by the day.
If you asked a person "Adaptec 1510A?", they would look at you funny. You missed the point that coming up with the best search terms can be difficult. Just because you know the best way to limit searches doesn't mean everyone else does.
I would prefer that when I look up a product I get information about it rather than pricing and places to buy it. Isn't that what Froogle is supposed to be for?
If you have to search two or three time on one site to find the info you need, when another site gives you what you want with one, which one are you going to use (mostly)?
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Who?
There's also a ton of people who don't use search at all (who are these people?)
My mom for one - she has been 'using' the internet for several years, but any time something comes up that she is interested in, she just calls me and asks me to send her links to what she is looking for.
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Mine too!
Mine did too, for a while. Now she searches for her own stuff, and calls me when her searches don't turn up anything good.
Then again, my mom's finished Halo. Her ctf scores should go up after retirement this year.
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