Google filed a patent for Google Desktop last month, that hints at how they rank search results. Last access time, where the item is stored, file type and file size are mentioned as factors, but there are probably some more left unmentioned.
Interesting experiment to test the impact of changing the rate for Google Adwords. Two identical sites have Adwords account. One has an established account paying $0.10 per word. Another is a new account, and begins by paying $1.00, then lowers it to $0.40. The former got 15,000 click-throughs regularly. The latter started just above 15,000 and fell to 1,200 after the rate drop. Does the Adwords algorithm favours rate increases disproportionately (and hence is evil?) Or is the fact that the former site an established one create the difference?
MSN search has a feature that lets you rank results your own way. Go to “+Search Builder” and select “Results ranking”. You can decide how important recency, popularity and accuracy are to your search.
About PageRank
Quantum computing takes steps forward. First, we improve our storage ability with 1000 bits in 1 molecule. Then we perform the Grover algorithm using molecules. Now, all that’s needed is a good set of problems to solve.
On figuring Google’s pagerank. It’s interesting to note that Google, and only Google, ranks 11 out of 10 in its pagerank.
Reactions to Google’s revised search algorithm. People’s rankings on certain keywords appear to have changed. Mine hasn’t. So far.
The Oracle of Google is the coolest Google app so far. Ask it a question with 4 choices, and it uses Google to guess the answer. It knows that Abdul Kalam is India’s President, though it did prefer Vajpayee to former Presidents. via Google Weblog
The winner of the Google programming contest.
Google fights googlebombing… or does it?