Read My Mind

by CHRIS RIVARD :: MAY 12, 2008 :: COMMENTS (0)

One of the challenges we sometimes face is explaining how search works and what results should be returned when users search a site. Oftentimes if the search doesn't return the exact result the user is searching for then the search is "broken".

Search interfaces are an area that have been neglected as many people have relied on Google for so many years as the de facto internet search. I have had many discussions with those who have Google set as their homepage (or iGoogle). Last week Scott mentioned that Google has it's tentacles in nearly all areas of his online life. True true. But that's a discussion for another post.

I really just wanted to get on my soapbox and touch on a little pet peeve of mine when it comes to Google search. The issue is time. The standard Google search returns results based on many criteria that are part of the search algorithm. Time isn't necessarily one of those criteria. For a time sensitive search, one needs to go to Advanced Search. Furthermore, in the redesigned Advanced Search interface, time is relegated to the disclosure box at the bottom of the form.

Boo Google, I say boo! Google, please let me set my preferences (yes, Google has preferences (the other little link to the right of the search field)) so that I can do a time sensitive search. I do not want to see results that are four and five years old. This may be great for a high school student doing research for a paper on genetically modified seeds, but hinders a search for any subject whose relevancy is based on time. I've got new news for Google, age makes information less relevant. Right? This is a glaring omission in the default Google search. Specifically, the search has a very limited context of use (high school research paper on genetically modified seeds), but lacks the default relevancy of "show me what the latest news on subject: hydrogen power". Any thoughts?

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