Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
Today we're helping people get better search results by extending Personalized Search to signed-out users worldwide
That's a staggering statement meaning that every computer accessing Google is now being personalized, signed in or not, so any desktop, laptop or kiosk will start tracking everything everyone does and you won't be able to access the same search results from any two machines.
The possible impact to all is staggering.
But the predominant concern in the thread so far is privacy - which hasn't really been changed all that much from where we were before the announcement. The privacy concern was always there for many people, but this announcement has created a kind of tipping point.
The privacy issues are immense and go far beyond Google into the arena of all large organizations, businesses and governments. That's not really the focus of this forum or WebmasterWorld - but there are plenty of places online to get involved in privacy matters if you are so inclined.
But zeroing in on what it means for search results and SEO, what will it mean? What does it mean right now, since it is already happening? Brett said above that for most sites it will be a push, and from what I'm seeing that's about the way it is running so far.
personalize search results for logged-out users
The issue of logged-in vs logged-out in terms of privacy is moot, Google is watching both.
Does Google record the changes made to "logged-out" people? Yes, they have to in order to "undo" those changes at the person's request. Can I "undo" someone elses changes? No, it's based on my computer, on my conveniently named "anonymous" cookie.
If this was an opt-in feature I wouldn't mind one bit, unfortunately it's not?
[edited by: tedster at 1:28 am (utc) on Dec. 8, 2009]
So far, I'm not seeing too much of a difference in traffic--yeah, some odd results here and there but nothing over the top.
The issue of logged-in vs logged-out in terms of privacy is moot, Google is watching both.
Being easily confused in my old age, I'm a little unclear on this.
I've only a few times in years searched while logged in, and have never done so intentionally.
Now days I search with cookies deleted and not allowed. But that hasn't always been the case.
So, how far back might G look to establish my history?
And if I search without cookies, what do they hang a history on, my ip?
So, who remembers the mantra of recent years- forget your ranking, IT'S TRAFFIC AND CONVERSION THAT COUNTS.
What's changed? Ok, my search history is now being used, along with "objective" criteria such as location, time of day, etc. Who cares?
I mean, I care, insomuch as the data is collected in the first place. I've being saying that for years- its certainly been my position since I joined these boards. But from an SEO POV, I couldn't care less.
I have referal data. I have traffic stats. I have conversion rates. I have a suite of fancy tools that show me nice charts of how these and other factors interact. Most of you do too- use them.
I'm a Gorg realist. I'm scared by their reach, worried about their intentions, and optimistic that "the public" will soon get the message. Frankly, this move is positive to me. It will not affect my approach to data-led SEO*, and may catalyse public perception.
But a word of advice: look at your meta descriptions. They're dynamite real estate from now on.
*Of course, I am "in house". Those of you with clients have a PR campaign to get on with. It's annoying, I understand, but there is a real opportunity to deliminate yourselves from the snake-oil variety. Shout it from the roof tops "RANKING MEANS NOTHING ANY MORE- WATCH THE EFFING TRAFFIC"
Wondering?
Elaboration please.
I doubt we'll see anything meaningful in webstats for at least two months, probably longer.
It's close to impossible to see any change yet. One click from one person to one website never vaults that to the top of the results from logged-in search. The changes will be more subtle, and take quite some time to cumulatively have an effect.
