Google Search: Behavioural changes?

[joeecho]

I was wondering if people are noticing the distinct changes in the way Google's search engine is behaving recently? What have you noticed?

I have always been aware it was biased in what comes up on the list first but more so now it seems blatantly obvious. How 'free' is the Internet anyway?

In the past I usually typed the words of the subject I was interested in to a search engine and it usually yielded the results I was looking for but I sense that isn't working as well now when using Google.

What search engine does the good people of Avalon use when doing their research? I understand there are symbols before or after words in the search bar, does that help a lot in narrowing the search in places like Google?

[ponda]

I don't touch google.They track you and collect and store your private info.

These work ok for me.

www.startpage.com

www.duckduckgo.com

[joeecho]

Thanks.

I just started using using duckduckgo and already like it better. I will give startpage a try as well.

[Daozen]

I'd been meaning to start a thread about this, Joe. Looks like the Googleborg are gradually sanitizing the planetery library. A researcher called Searching in Texas reminded me that Duckduckgo is better. I did an A/B test with a phrase: "The Dark side of Google".. comparing Duckduckgo vs Google results. Sure enough, the DuckDuckgo answers were alot richer.

[joeecho]

An interesting article on the Subject:

Google’s power of censorship: who controls the controllers of the internet?

Imagine a world where Google has no secrets, where all search engines play fair, and where SEO doesn’t have to be synonymous with “page one.” Sound like a fairy tale?
The Internet is often cast as the great democratizer, and Google its noble gate-keeper. There’s no doubt that search engines help us easily navigate the web, but we have to remember that Google is a corporation, not a public service.

Our faith in its wisdom and guidance is based on little more than a carefully planned PR scheme. Behind that curtain, few of us really have any idea what’s going on. That kind of blind trust may be dangerous for content creators and consumers alike, both in terms of what we see and what we get.

In a recent column for U.S. News & World Report, artificial intelligence expert Dr. Robert Epstein detailed 10 different ways Google uses blacklists to censor the Internet. Some of them seem perfectly within reason – noble, even: banning weapons sales through its shopping service, for instance, or blocking payday loan sharks from AdWords.

Few are going to argue with these measures. In fact, it’s nice to see a little corporate responsibility every once in awhile.
At the same time, though, how can we know when and where to draw the line? At what point does “corporate responsibility” become a catch-all phrase for “Google does what Google wants”?

More..... Source (https://searchenginewatch.com/2016/07/29/googles-power-of-censorship-who-controls-the-controllers-of-the-internet/)

[EFO]

I don't touch google.They track you and collect and store your private info.

These work ok for me.

www.startpage.com

www.duckduckgo.com

Now I have a duck on the top right side of Chrome.:ROFL::ROFL: Love it.:inlove: Thanks ponda :bearhug::flower:

[TrumanCash]

Also, certain search engines like Yahoo and DuckDuckGo plug in titles that are not written in the HTML of the web pages. It's like it is some kind of "AI" algorithm that does it. They sometimes plug in words that are not even on the web page. By changing the actual titles to the pages they are misleading people. It is really crazy.

[Lifebringer]

Yes, since partnering/taking over YT, they've shoved all my interest to the bottom, and put what they want 1st. I don't like it and have taken to "typing the link to a video," to avoid their snooping/add bombardment of crap/programming, I've no interest in. I put them in fav, hang cursor over the link and it pops up w/out opening it or just opens "that video specified." Bypassing their search page.:handshake:
Works great.:sun:

[Lifebringer]

Even clicking on sites that use google can allow them in if not blocked.(run anti-virus/google block while searching) As a writer, I neither need the added tech, nor complications to communicate. Just a fully functioning pc to read/research articles, view movies, or print.

[Gillian]

I mostly use Opera and duckduckgo. I also like Start Page on Google Chrome.

[DeDukshyn]

 

I have noticed google is sucking really bad lately - its almost useless now. If I search for a term on my work computer I get completely different results to my searches from my home computer (obviously google's failed attempt at catered search results). I'm finding myself using duckduckgo or even Bing/Yahoo (same engine) and getting better results lately ...

I really hate how when you search for something with google it will tell you that it got one million 800 thousand results in 0.00001 seconds but there's only four pages of results that are actually relevant to my search term. Hey google, how about taking 1 second and actually give me just 1000 results that are relevant?

[Jantje]

The main goal for google is making money.
Google is used constantly by people for marketing purposes.
The top results are usually sites that have something to sell. Research internet marketing if you don't believe me.
I understand that people don't get the results they want unless it's for shopping online.

I have tried duckduckgo and startpage before and bing too but at the time I wasn't too impressed, maybe they're doing better now.

[joeecho]

Remember the days when one of the primary ways one found other sites on the internet was by the links from the sight one was on? I don't see that as much any more. Was it the search engines that killed that practice I wonder.

[East Sun]

I fired goog years ago.

[joeecho]

I fired goog years ago.

Trump, is that you? ;)