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How Google Improves Its Search Engine within Usability Labs
The BBC recently posted a video titled How Google Fine Tunes Its Search Engine, which gives an inside look into how internet powerhouse Google improves its search engine. The video is also a smart marketing tactic by Google, Inc.
Video Synopsis
The video, at just over three minutes in length, features BBC reporter Sumi Das participating in tests on a Google product. The video explains that Google, Inc. tests products in usability labs in order to improve the search capabilities.
The reporter helps test the search engine on the Samsung Galaxy 10.0 tablet under the direction of John Boyd, who is the head of User Experience Research for Google. Boyd explains that Google, Inc. measures the usability of products such as this tablet by observing reactions of real users of the products within labs. The reporter goes through the testing process, performing search queries and other tasks on the product under the watchful eyes of Boyd and laboratory cameras.
The BBC Video
Google Marketing Tactic
It is likely not a coincidence that Google allows the BBC into its labs, but instead a smart marketing tactic by the internet giant. The video appears on the BBC Website and YouTube, both of which receive several daily views. With video views comes the promotion of Google. A person who watches the clip learns positive information about the company.
Google shows a great deal of transparency in the video as viewers learn that the large company welcomes handlers of its products into the usability labs. The footage illustrates that public opinions are important to the large company and do play a role in the final product. The company seems more approachable as well by allowing people to see the labs.
Reader Poll
Is Google your primary search engine?
Importance of Users
The existence of the test labs illustrate that Google, Inc. does consider its users to be important.
Cameras in the facilities catch the reactions of subjects as they use the new products. Boyd explains that the company can stream testing sessions live to remote locations to analyze footage further. Much weight is given to users’ opinions about how to improve its search engine and do affect what hits the market.
The BBC video How Google Fine Tunes Its Search Engine is a short video that is full of useful information for anyone interested in how Google operates. The usability labs are a key way that the company improves its search engine. The video is a smart way for the internet company to market itself and illustrates the importance of user opinion for improving its products.
Related
Comments
- Author
Thank-you AE for letting me know about the problem with the video link! I added the video again using a different link. It works now, if you wish to view. Take care.
Very Useful Hub by the way... since I'm reading it so late. Actually, the video "longer exists". Might want to check that ;)
- Author
There is certainly a lot to know Martie. Thanks for stopping by to read!
christywrites, thank you for this interesting hub about Google's improvement. I still have a lot of studying to do in order to understand this god in cyberspace.....
Voted up, very interesting and well presented :)
- Author
Thanks Carol! I am glad the hub is easy to follow and nice to see you today :)
I join Billybuc about not knowing anything about search engines and how they work.. I just go on google and search. Very interesting and I always admire my savvy internet and computer friends...Thanks for the explanation..Excellent hub and voting up.
- Author
Jeff, when you say 'owning' to you mean the expansion of Google into the social media network field (Google+)? That network is certainly taking off! Thanks for stopping by.
Axymak, thanks for the comment!
Angie, I like your nickname for Google, I will have to remember that!
Michelle, Appreciate your positivity here!
Ruchira, Glad to share the information that I found interesting as well. Thanks.
Another very interesting hub Christy!. I use google, and no other, because they always deliver. And I'm not surprised by their clever marketing tactics, if you really take alook at what they are doing...., well let's just say I'm fearful for facebook now. Google is "Owning" it at the moment, and positioning themselves nicely. Sharing this one.
Google is the best search Engine as compared to any other on the web.
A useful hub for giving a bit of insight into the big G … thank you, Christie.
Thanks for sharing on how Google's visibility and usability is increased. Wonderful learning experience! Sharing!
Interesting pointers, christy.
Thanks for the enlighten ment...voted up and sharing it across
- Author
Rcrumple, interesting that Firefox includes that feature automatically! Thanks for the information and for the thoughtful comment.
Bill, glad you learned from the hub! Thanks for stopping by.
Millionaire, Yes I took a step back and thought whether there was a deeper purpose for Google. Appreciate your opinions here.
Janine, You rock! Your support is wonderful, thank-you.
Christy -
It's interesting that Google would allow the BBC in. Usually, companies are hesitant with the press. I, too, use Google as a primary search engine, as it works well with most sharing sites. I prefer the Firefox browser, as it generally cleans itself each time it's used, unlike Google Chrome and IE that needs Ccleaner to do the job. Great Hub!
Thank you Christy! I know practically nothing about search engines and how they work. This was an interesting education!
I used to use Google more often, but now I just use the one that my browser has which was provided through my internet provider. I find they don't find images very well, and their quality has gone down a bit. You're right, this video is great marketing, and was very interesting as well.
I also prefer Google too over most nay other search engine as well and also you Google Images quite often; so thank you for sharing this. As always totally enjoyed yet another article from you Christy!! Have of course voted and shared all over!!
- Author
Thanks flash for stopping by! I also use Google as my primary search engine. Glad you enjoy the hub.
I do prefer Google over other search engines and I do often search for information by viewing Google images first so thank you for this hub. Now I know a little bit more about the powerful Google.
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