Google Lost Relevance for Techs

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Google Lost Relevance for Techs

It seems that searching for help isn't anymore

greenfrog

7:04 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

Lately, I am finding google less relevant when searching for tech help? I generally search on google for tech help/suggestions more that 50 times per day, and it seems less helpful in search results. In my office techs search on it ALL day to resolve issues.

It seems as if help is harder to come by using google. Nowdays, I have begun to simply go straight to the source for answers/suggestions, instead of using google to do the search work for me.

(i.e. For help with Java >>> I now go straight to java.sun.com when searching for help with java.

For help with C# >>> I go straight to microsoft.com
)

Has anyone else experieced this?

Marcia

7:07 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

Is it the age of the pages that are showing up in searches? Are the results returned just not up to date enough with current info?

DaveAtIFG

7:33 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

Myself, claus, and a few others have also commented on this since the Esmeralda update. Lately, I've learned that what I used to find on 3 word searches now takes 4, 5 or more keywords. And the "good stuff" is still listed with irrelevant sales stuff.

Google just isn't as good at reading minds as it once was! ;)

Ally_Cat

7:40 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

I've learned to be much more specific in my searches than I used to be. I'm still finding the same quality of help, I just have to try a little harder to find it.

Yidaki

7:48 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

I noticed a lost relevance when i was searching for php functions over the last weeks. In the past i almost allways found what i was looking for at #1 - the php.net manual. But in the last weeks i started to use the php.net google search instead. Funny that now it looks like php.net is back to #1 again for many of the related searches. Fluid flux - google is now fluxxle.

greenfrog

11:43 pm on Oct 21, 2003 (gmt 0)

Interesting comment about the age of pages. I guess that is a relevant characteristic, but not for all subjects. How big of a factor is that with search results?

If so, what amount of new conent will it take to make a page "fresh". Can this type of content be added programatically? Such as revolving comments, revolving dates or is google smart enough to pick up this kind of thing?