Re:Is it time to stop trusting Google search?
by tyingq on Saturday November 11, 2017 @01:20PM
(#15677401)
Google has control over the map, which listings show on (and below it), etc.
Back in the "10 blue links" day, the organics that showed, above the fold, were driven by factors that didn't include "Google's cut".
Similar for Google shopping. It's predecessor, Froogle, weighted on consumer factors. The replacement does not.
If the organics are basically bad now too, the blame goes to the same place. In fact, crappy organics encourage more ad clicks.
Of course there's some synergy between helping visitors and profit to Google, that's how business models work. And if you think that following the links to hotels.com and tripadvisor.com will get you more altruistic and unbiased information than the Google links then I'd like to sell you this fine bridge with air conditioning, great views and swimming facilities, which 93% of visitors rated as 4 stars or higher.