December 15, 2008

New Google Features: PageLinks and Google Suggest Links

by Brian Turner

Google are really trying to push on new features for Google Search at present.

I’ve already covered how the local search options are now being pushed on Google UK (even though a cursory test here shows the results to be poor – try searching for the HSBC branch in Inverness – I get one IFA, a B&B, and a couple of engineering companies instead!).

However, Danny Sullivan covers a couple of new features Google are adding in – one he calls “Pagelinks”, the other as links in Google Suggest.

PageLinks works as an enhanced feature for listings, allow users to jump straight into most popular pages, as well as webmasters provide specific information for Google to extract – the example Danny gives on CitySearch is very interesting indeed.

The new Google Suggest feature has Google adding direct links and even PPC adds into Google Suggest.

I don’t know about anyone else, but the rate of change Google is making with Google Search almost suggests Google feels their search offering is broken, or else being out competed, and is desperately trying to implement anything they can that “may” help the user experience.

This too easily looks like techies and programmers getting carried away with themselves, and simplying implementing features because they can, rather than because they are needed.

Most of us use Google for search because it’s easy to use and providers relevant results, with Google’s previous focus on the user experience as a key reason for its success.

So why as a market leader does Google need to keep pushing on more and more new features? Do they think we’ll stop using Google Search because the solid and dependable platform may not change often enough?

Coming on the back of the forced opt-in for ordering results for those searching while logged into a user account suggests that Google may be beginning to lose the plot a bit. I can understand Google wanting to take human user data and look for a useful signal, but with the above as well – it looks like over doing it. And if not careful, Google may end up sacrificing the human user experience.

The more bells and whistles Google put into search, the less likely these will be used. On my VCR I only need to play and record, I don’t need much more of that in my user experience.

The alternative suggestion is that Google really does feel threatened by Microsoft and is pushing on a big experimental phase, in order to see exactly what works so that when a serious rival finally approaches, Google can ensure it keeps in the lead. Trouble with that, is that whatever format Google uses is too easy to copy.

While I’m sure Google have every confidence in testing PageLinks and Google Suggest, it’s worth warning the company that people often don’t like change when what they ordinarily have works so well. Don’t break your own search box, Google!

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Story link: New Google Features: PageLinks and Google Suggest Links

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