Webmasters up in Arms Over Google's Search-In-A-Search
Express distaste over AdWords' display of competing links
While Google’s new search-in-a-search feature, which it quietly unveiled on users earlier this month, is convenient for users looking to zero-in on exactly what they’re looking for, many webmasters and website owners are less than pleased.
Webmasters’ main issue is the fact that when users use this new tool, Google will display ads in the user’s refined search results. Much like a regular Google search, competitors’ ads will inevitably appear alongside the refined search results, allowing Google to profit from ads sold against the webmaster’s brand.
“Google is showing a level of aggressiveness with this that’s just not needed,” said internet consultant and former Crutchfield.com CEO Alan Rimm-Kaufman.
In one example, users searching for jobs at a specific company by typing “jobs” into Google’s search-in-a-search feature would find ads for services like Monster.com in addition to the company’s search results. The consequences are obvious: users might be lured away from what they were originally looking for, siphoning away business and page views from the websites and retailers that expect to receive it.
Retailers should be especially wary of this feature, adds Rimm-Kaufman. Google’s search-in-a-search could supplant retailers’ search engines, which are often tailored to a user’s buying preferences and purchase history.
Webmasters’ complaints bear heavy resemblance to the claims from a 2004 lawsuit against Google, where Geico sought $8.65 million over claims of trademark infringement. Users typing “Geico” into Google’s search box were presented with ads from competing insurance companies; right next to the users’ regular results. The lawsuit ended in 2005 with both sides claiming victory; the U.S. District Judge found that while Google’s policy of displaying competing ads was legal, it did indeed commit trademark infringement when the ads displayed used Geico’s name.
For the time being, Google says it removed the feature for a handful of websites that asked for it, though it adds that these sites may not have the opportunity to get it back. “We ask them to try it out and see if they want it removed,” said an unnamed Google spokeswoman. “We think it could be a really useful feature.”
It’s important to note that search-in-a-search is merely the latest incarnation of Google’s “site search” feature, presented to the user in an easier-to-use fashion. (Users’ refined search results will show the “site:” tag appended to the end of their search query). At this time, search-in-a-search is only thinly available; searches for several popular broadcasting companies and online retailers yielded a mixed assortment of sites with and without the search box.
Source: http://www.dailytech.com/Webmasters+up+in+Arms+Over+Googles+SearchInASearch/article11228.htm
M.
Express distaste over AdWords' display of competing links
While Google’s new search-in-a-search feature, which it quietly unveiled on users earlier this month, is convenient for users looking to zero-in on exactly what they’re looking for, many webmasters and website owners are less than pleased.
Webmasters’ main issue is the fact that when users use this new tool, Google will display ads in the user’s refined search results. Much like a regular Google search, competitors’ ads will inevitably appear alongside the refined search results, allowing Google to profit from ads sold against the webmaster’s brand.
“Google is showing a level of aggressiveness with this that’s just not needed,” said internet consultant and former Crutchfield.com CEO Alan Rimm-Kaufman.
In one example, users searching for jobs at a specific company by typing “jobs” into Google’s search-in-a-search feature would find ads for services like Monster.com in addition to the company’s search results. The consequences are obvious: users might be lured away from what they were originally looking for, siphoning away business and page views from the websites and retailers that expect to receive it.
Retailers should be especially wary of this feature, adds Rimm-Kaufman. Google’s search-in-a-search could supplant retailers’ search engines, which are often tailored to a user’s buying preferences and purchase history.
Webmasters’ complaints bear heavy resemblance to the claims from a 2004 lawsuit against Google, where Geico sought $8.65 million over claims of trademark infringement. Users typing “Geico” into Google’s search box were presented with ads from competing insurance companies; right next to the users’ regular results. The lawsuit ended in 2005 with both sides claiming victory; the U.S. District Judge found that while Google’s policy of displaying competing ads was legal, it did indeed commit trademark infringement when the ads displayed used Geico’s name.
For the time being, Google says it removed the feature for a handful of websites that asked for it, though it adds that these sites may not have the opportunity to get it back. “We ask them to try it out and see if they want it removed,” said an unnamed Google spokeswoman. “We think it could be a really useful feature.”
It’s important to note that search-in-a-search is merely the latest incarnation of Google’s “site search” feature, presented to the user in an easier-to-use fashion. (Users’ refined search results will show the “site:” tag appended to the end of their search query). At this time, search-in-a-search is only thinly available; searches for several popular broadcasting companies and online retailers yielded a mixed assortment of sites with and without the search box.
Source: http://www.dailytech.com/Webmasters+up+in+Arms+Over+Googles+SearchInASearch/article11228.htm
M.
