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Personalized Search. For whom?

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This entry was posted on 2/11/2007 7:02 PM and is filed under The Engines.

Google announced the launched their new search algorithm that takes into account a user's history of clicks, bookmarks and other behavioral factors that help narrow the links to what Google believes is most closely related (if they are signed in, which is my issue). On the Surface, I thought this was great. I am very different in my intent for a search on cars than most 40 year old men. I have had clients in this area for more than 15 years, and most of my interest is in the marketing of automobiles and the industry vs. the mid-life-crises-induced-hunt for a cherry red Vette (don't get me wrong, I've done that too).  So, if the information that relates to new ad campaigns, change in ownership of aftermarket repair shops, or dealerships is prioritized over new model promotion (still of interest but much easier to find), that would make my life much easier.  

 

However, I use our home computer for work. My kids and my wife use it even more. Our oldest son would likely be looking for pictures of cars he has seen on his psp racing  game.  My youngest would be looking for pictures and clips from the movie "Cars."

 

 If am doing research for work, or shopping for a new car, neither of these histories, behaviors or bookmarks has anything to do with my intent.

 

Okay, so I should log into my account, then when my wife wants to surf, she should log into her account. Then, my kids should do the same. Of course, I can just buy every one a computer. The truth is, until this process of identifying users becomes nearly automatic, I don't see the Google method as adding a great deal of value.

 

So, I am conducting  my own unscientific survey to see if my situation is typical, or if I am the  "focus group of one" I often rail against. I’ll set this up and post it.

 

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Comments

    • 2/14/2007 1:55 PM David Berkowitz wrote:
      Great article. This is a huge reason why personalized search will be a ways off. Though for this issue, I wonder how big it is. How often do you and your son overlap in queries and have different results? There are bound to be instances like the one you mentioned, but then there are bound to be many where you're both seeking things like movie times and weather info and go to the same couple of sites and it doesn't matter at all. Then there are the other times when you're searching for totally different things - work sites and tax software for you, music downloads and homework help for your son. All of this then calls into question how much personalization matters in the first place; the better Google's regular results get (without personalization), the less a need there should be for personalization in the first place.
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