trillianjedi - 12:19 pm on May 22, 2006 (gmt 0)

Could this be the beginning of the end of a computerized Google algorithm that represents listings in the top half of the first page?

It looks like a step in that direction.

Authority figures in their field will soon have the ability to "set" the SERPS?

Of course, that brings its own inherrent problems and concerns. I'm not sure that I see it as "better" than link structure and traditional SE measures of "authority".

At the moment, it will follow that only "authorities" that you subscribe to will have an effect on your SERPS. It remains to be seen how effective the program turns out to be, but there is a very strong possibility that it completely throws a spanner in the works for traditional SEO (if there is such a thing).

One set of SERPS for me, another set of SERPS for you. Getting "in" with the known authority figures may become a big element of SEM.

TJ