While there never was any consistency in search results (sometimes referred to as SERPS also), things are only getting more confusing now. At least since end of March, we have noticed on our portfolio of websites that there is absolute chaos. Here is what we are finding at each search engine.
Google
In every session that you do a search, you are likely to get different results. The definition of session in this case is starting the browser. It does not matter if you have deleted cookies or not - the results are still the same. We have confirmed this with unique search terms, e.g. MYNIPPON and similar other unique names that we use for our domain names. What is consistent though is the number of backlinks and pages indexed. In other words, Google, as always, is in turmoil.
MSN
Currently producing the most stable results. In fact in many ways we find Google results to be the cleanest. They have been able to keep crooks out so far and their results are of the highest quality. It could very well be that crooks have not yet figured out the algorithm used by MSN. Our number one pick for search at this time.
Yahoo
The worst search engine at the moment. Yahoo has no control over its search technology and spammers have literally hijacked the technology. Except for a few rare cases, the search results are totally useless. The only good thing about Yahoo is that it is indexing blogs separately but, as everyone knows, spammers rule the blogs too by creating totally useless blogs just to get some traffic.
So what should online publishers do?
Nothing. Almost all search engines appear to be desperate in their attempts to fight crooks. Like SPAM, they are all unsuccessful. It is only a matter of time before MSN gets hijacked by spammers.
So crate value for your visitors by providing them useful information and an incentive to return. Of course, when you do that, do not forget the side-effect: word-of-mouth marketing. Visitors are not stupid. They can see a great website because they like useful and interesting information. So keep your visitors happy rather than try to deceive them.
And if you are an e-business website, your best bet is Adsense.
Technorati tag
Search
In every session that you do a search, you are likely to get different results. The definition of session in this case is starting the browser. It does not matter if you have deleted cookies or not - the results are still the same. We have confirmed this with unique search terms, e.g. MYNIPPON and similar other unique names that we use for our domain names. What is consistent though is the number of backlinks and pages indexed. In other words, Google, as always, is in turmoil.
MSN
Currently producing the most stable results. In fact in many ways we find Google results to be the cleanest. They have been able to keep crooks out so far and their results are of the highest quality. It could very well be that crooks have not yet figured out the algorithm used by MSN. Our number one pick for search at this time.
Yahoo
The worst search engine at the moment. Yahoo has no control over its search technology and spammers have literally hijacked the technology. Except for a few rare cases, the search results are totally useless. The only good thing about Yahoo is that it is indexing blogs separately but, as everyone knows, spammers rule the blogs too by creating totally useless blogs just to get some traffic.
So what should online publishers do?
Nothing. Almost all search engines appear to be desperate in their attempts to fight crooks. Like SPAM, they are all unsuccessful. It is only a matter of time before MSN gets hijacked by spammers.
So crate value for your visitors by providing them useful information and an incentive to return. Of course, when you do that, do not forget the side-effect: word-of-mouth marketing. Visitors are not stupid. They can see a great website because they like useful and interesting information. So keep your visitors happy rather than try to deceive them.
And if you are an e-business website, your best bet is Adsense.
Technorati tag
Search