MAJOR Search engine gripe...please respond

[sparklyscotty]

Hi guys,
I would like to get feedback on an issue that is concerning me. I'd like to know if it is a personal pet peeve or something that others are upset about:
Search engine results are being driven more and more by paid for advertisting, NOT by relevance.
Now, I understand that it is partly the nature of doing business, however it seems to have gone to excess.
I recieved a call this morning saying that Wanadoo was selling exclusive rights to keywords, meaning that whoever bought them would be guaranteed a top spot ABOVE sponsored ads, then search results.
I like the way Google organizes ads on the right, premium spots in a colored box at the top and then search results in the main frame. It is easy for visitors to discern between results.
From my point of view, I amn't too worried because my site is an online catalogue mostly for reference for existing customers. However, the principle really bugs me. It is also really annoying as a searcher.
Also, most of the top search results lead to OTHER search pages. There doesn't seem to be any kind of governing of relevance and quality of links.
Am I looking naively for a web search utopia, or is there a way to better regulate search engine results?
I'd love to hear other feedback.
-Angel-

[epiphany]

http://www.gahooyoogle.com/ cool little tool that compares Google and yahoo directly

This is why I don't like yahoo, trying to disguise adverts as real results is just wrong.

[multilingual]

I wouldn't worry too much about this.

In my opinion the best, most popular search engines will always be the ones that return an organic result based on relevance.

Once people are bombarded with paid-for listings that don't give them what they want, they will switch to a different engine. Internet users are impatient, so this scenario is what the big boys are trying to avoid.

The reason Google is so popular is because they are clutter free. If they decided to fill their pages with ads then the users would run elsewhere and with MSN waiting in the wings, it could prove to be a fatal mistake.

JB

[sparklyscotty]

I'm relieved to hear that. I will stick to buying wee ads for the side of Google. :) (Or hiring Terry to do them for me 'cos HotIgloo are great. Plug plug!)
-Angel-

[mattk]

The only search engines to worry about are Google, MSN and Yahoo. If you get your site to the top in these three badboys then Wanadoo can kiss your hairy yellow butt ;)

[mattk]

http://www.gahooyoogle.com/ cool little tool that compares Google and yahoo directly

Excellent link!

[www.t6c.co.uk]

Exactly, part of the downfall or yahoo was the paid for listings, along with lycos.

Users love and want organic results.

[eshopcreator]

Hi Scotty

Maybe I can spread some light....

Google does want to deliver the correct pages and the most relevance, if it can it will retain its users surely?

What they are doing in the background is the following...

They have purchased Urchin stats software - normally £2-4000 a set up and are giving it away. It will provide you with great stats for your site. You can register, search google for Urchin. unfortunately there is a waiting list and it is very subscribed, but get your name down ASAP.

Then they have site maps, integrate your site with this and do some of the following....

Create good content and easy navigatin across your site, make pages search engine friendly.

The combination of Googles Spiders, Bots, Algorythms and combined with Urchin and Site maps I belive will allow Google to see which sites and pages deliver which information and if the vistors find what they are looking for, see where they go on your site and if it delivers.

It will streamline the indexing and then the most relevant sites, with well coded pages and content will be moved up the lists and Googles searchers will be delivered the right information that they are looking for at the right time..one of googles objectives.

Many people seem to have turned on Google seeing them as the new "DARKSIDE" microsoft seems to have stepped down and I can only see this as a similarity to what has happened in the UK Premier League.(sorry to talk footy).

Once we all hated Man U (at least those who do not support them) now we all hate Chelsea, seems that it may be human nature to hate "swots" or achievers, BAD.......

I for one love what Google are doing and think, it is a business, if it "delivers" (so to speak) then hey I like it. GET ON BOARD

At the end of the day we will have to accept some paid adverts in there everyone has to make a living, all be it massive, but relevant.

Darren Wiseman
www.eshop-creator.co.uk (http://www.eshop-creator.co.uk)
darren@eshop-creator.co.uk