Need help.. picking a topic

[Westat1]

HI,

I need to write a paper base that examines a topical area relating to the Internet. It can't be purley technical. Wanted to see what your thoughts were for topics.

Initally I chose Search Engines, but I didn't get a good feel from the professor on that one. I was going to focus on:
1) how SE's work
2) how SE rankings are becoming more important
3) contreversy between ppc and other listings

Would appreciate any ideas you have.

[shanz]

Effect of SE promotion on modern search engines.

I always found "How things have moved on" an absolute Gravy train when struggling to find a topic for a paper.

Also I can't beleive how the rankings in many search engines have changed in Only 3 years since I left Uni. I used to surf the web and find some absolute nonsense at the top for google for terms that are pretty competative now.

If you fancy trying this send me a copy of your paper when you've finished ;) he he

[korkus2000]

What is the subject area and the name of the class?

[Westat1]

It is an Internet and Applications course, titled is the same name

[rogerd]

How about something along the lines of "Are Free Search Results Endangered"? Many of the search results people see are PPC or PFI. The only thing saving free results is that users seem to favor Google, who delivers results based on their algorithm rather than the highest bidder.

Related research could include the FTC's crackdown on misleading, poorly identified, paid results. These could be considered advertisements inserted into editorial material without identification.

[Westat1]

That sounds good. Do you know where I can find case studies on SE and their impact?