What's Up with Google lately?

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   alexadryposted 8 years ago

   Things seem to be odd lately with Google, not sure if others are noticing it as well. One thing I noticed the other day when searching some keywords  is that there were several spam websites oddly ranking on page 3 of Google among other reputable, well-known websites. Very odd.  Also, why would Google decide to make a preview to Googled queries so people get the answer right away without even visiting any websites?
   
   For instance, if you Google "what happened during the cold war" you will get a preview of a website with the answer. The answer is taken from the first ranking website. I think this is done for people on mobile phones wanting an answer right away, but what does this accomplish? People will visit websites considerably less, possibly not even the website of the first article providing the answer in the first place! And forget about visiting the other websites on that same page since the answer was given straightforwardly without the hassle of landing on any websites. I see this new trend as alarming, what are your thoughts?

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      Happy Momentposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have also noticed this issue of great concern.I wonder why a reputable organization like Google is condoning this kind of behaviour.Or are they not aware?

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      MelRootsNWritesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I hadn't notice this with questions.  However, several months ago I was alarmed when Google started putting recipes in a nifty little box at the top of the search results.
      
      I noticed those recipes for a couple of months.  At first, every search I did for a recipe showed one in a nifty little box at the top o the search results.  Now it appears "vegan chocolate cake recipe" does not give a recipe in the box but "how do you make a vegan chocolate cake" does.  Though, I noticed that they are refining it.  Originally, the whole recipe was in the upper box.  Now I only see a couple of lines from the description.
      
      I agree that it is alarming if people can get the answer to their questions without having to click on a search link.  Unless they really want to know more detailed information, they aren't going to leave Google search.

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         alexadryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         That's messed up! I did Google"how do you make a vegan chocolate cake" and saw  those couple of lines. Fortunately there are no doses so people who really want to make it must visit a website, but something as simple as "how do you make a boiled egg" gives you the straightforward directions!  Also, under the intro there is a small link "feedback" where people can say if the answer was useful. It says that feedback will ensure Google improves things, so guessing if they get enough feedback, they may proceed to making it even more unlikely for people to visit websites:(

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   LeanManposted 8 years ago

   Giving an answer without having to actually click on the website - is that not actually giving the searcher what they are looking for? For most definitions and simple questions what Google is doing makes it much easier for the searcher and they don't have to go clicking to see if a page actually has the answer that they are looking for..
   
   Their aim is to give the searcher what the searcher wants - they don't care if the websites get visitors or not as long as the searcher is happy....... The person making a search is their customer not the website owners...
   
   As to spam sites showing up in the search results - well nothing new there.... Their algorithm is far from perfect - if it was perfect only my sites and pages would show up!!

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      alexadryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So true Leanman, thanks for the eye opener. I would assume though that Google would want people to visit websites so to click on Google ads? In regards to the spammy website, I searched for the usual same keywords to see where one of my websites was, and those spammy websites weren't there before, it's as if there was a recent update that is very messed up!

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         Barbara Kayposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I read about 2 years ago that Google would like to do this for every search. The sites that are paying for their advertising are right at the top and they are still getting paid by them. It is a win-win situation for Google. They don't have to share revenue with sites like ours.

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            alexadryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            That's very sad, not surprising though as it's all about money. Who knows what the future holds for us poor small website owners/bloggers. I see things quite grim at the moment.

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         Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Google Search and Google Adsense are totally separate, and don't talk to or care about each other.
         
         That was graphically illustrated when Google Search started cracking down on websites with "excessive" advertising - while at the same time, you could see a graphic on the Google Adsense site still recommending the kind of layout Search said was excessive!
         
         I think we're all finding that revenue from Adsense revenue on sites is falling, and that probably means Google's revenue is falling too.  They probably make more money from ads on the Search pages, Google Shopping etc.   
         
         Google doesn't care whether individual websites do well or not!

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            makingamarkposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            1+

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            alexadryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for clarifying Marisa Wright. I thought that Google search and adsense were working together. So if somebody searched on Google and landed on a website and clicked on ads, it all would go into Google's revenue.

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   psycheskinnerposted 8 years ago

   The paid listings are on the first page and labelled "Ad", so that is not what OP is describing.

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   sheyi kojoposted 8 years ago

   I also think those site having more attention are new sites google are trying to create audience for.

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