Comments on: A Brief Interview With Udi Manber, Google, On Universal Search

By: Trogdor

Trogdor — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:30:29 +0000

Sorlen - good points. Time was that Google knew where you wanted to go (to find information), and Google sent you there. More and more, Google is integrating info / answers directly into the SERP, so that you stay at Google instead of leaving.

Trouble is, I like the other tools out there, and I like that there are tools outside of Google's direct control (inasmuchas they can be these days, anyway). I don't want Google to answer the question "what should I do tomorrow" and I'm creeped out that they even want to be able to.

By: SolrenG

SolrenG — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:16:50 +0000

Thanks for the interview, John. My biggest issue/concern with Google is not they will no longer give the best results (my guess is they will for some years to come) but that they will more and more act like a large corporation. I already cannot stand seeing the very visible Google Checkout images next to the businesses that "play ball with them." This should have nothing to do with search results. But they know that eyes may be drawn to position three of the results even before position one do to the large visible image. I strongly disagree with this.

They are also trying to direct people to their own list of vehicles and other areas in search. If we see more of them trying to use search to sell their other products, I think this will soon be their downfall. I don't mind them having other products (hell, I use and like them) but don't try to sell or promote them in search results. This will be why I use another tool, and I guess others. End of rant.

By: Stone

Stone — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:57:11 +0000

Mr. Manbar is an interesting study in the search space. I know many people that know him and the feedback’s always the same: “not” a nice guy, and a very “spotty” track record of tangible accomplishment. A9 is an unmitigated failure. Let’s hope he does better this time.