Comments on: New Google search feature raises news site eyebrows

By: Sarmale si mici » Blog Archive » Eu de ce nu am search box?

Sarmale si mici » Blog Archive » Eu de ce nu am search box? — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:13:10 +0000

[...] Via Jurnalistopia: Spune New York Times: The problem, for some in the industry, is that when someone enters a term into that secondary search box, Google will display ads for competing sites, thereby profiting from ads it sells against the brand. The feature also keeps users searching on Google pages and not pages of the destination Web site. [...]

By: Angela Grant

Angela Grant — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:22:37 +0000

Thank god! I think a lot of news sites out there could use the help.

By: Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Monday evening squibs

Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Monday evening squibs — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:18:39 +0000

[...] New Google search feature raises news site eyebrows. A new feature is convenient for searchers but may have bring Google much more into play as a competitor for newspapers’ advertisers. Also see Cory Bergman’s post. [...]

By: Danny Sanchez

Danny Sanchez — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:51:41 +0000

Phil, Bill, thanks for the great comments. Certainly if there’s one thing news sites can do way better, it’s helping users find stuff on their own sites.

I think this all circles back to a larger question: How open should news sites make their content to third parties? On one hand, openness means more users will view the site’s content, which makes it a more essential part of readers’ days. On the other hand, letting folks use (or search through) content using their own tools (Google, other apps) can mean less eyes on advertising, which translates to lost revenue.

Hopefully, we can strike a balance that gives readers maximum flexibility to appreciate our sites while not shooting ourselves in the foot.

By: William Couch

William Couch — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:01:22 +0000

Two things: this search feature has always been available, Google just now making it easier to access. Also, if news sites weren’t so difficult to navigate, often obfuscating users/readers, then this likely wouldn’t be a problem. However, this method displays the information in a familiar format, considering the ubiquity of Google and people’s comfort level with it. And, if this drives away from ad clicks/sales, then perhaps advertising methods need to be wholly rethought.

By: Phil Dokas

Phil Dokas — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:58:03 +0000

You’ve been able to append “site:whatever.com” to the end of a search on Google for many, many years. This makes searching sites with terrible internal search engines (i.e. sadly a vast majority of sites, see: ikea.com, etc.) convenient for people who want to find something specific. Competition in the search field is a good thing and hopefully added pressure from Google will cause third parties to double down on the efforts. This is a good thing.