I'm on my way to the airport right about now, so I've set this post to publish automatically. I'll be blogging on Sunday (one day only!) from Dublin.
I heard an interesting discussion on the "QAnon Anonymous" podcast the other day. The podcast, despite its name, is very wide-ranging and goes beyond merely talking about QAnon. The hosts discuss related conspiracies, the peculiarities of right-wing politics, historic incidents of misinformation, manipulation of information and many other topics. I love this podcast. It's a little like sitting around with friends in a college dorm room and bantering about the world's craziness over too many beers.
Anyway, the hosts were talking about Google in a recent episode titled, "Why Google Sucks Now." They started from the proposition that Google has deteriorated, returning less useful search results than it used to, largely because money has corrupted the original Google algorithm. What was once designed to return high-quality search results now returns results that are paid for or otherwise gamed by professional "optimizers," feeding us a lot of junk.
I hope Google doesn't cancel my blog for saying this, but I must admit I find Google results pretty dismal sometimes -- there's nothing I hate more than asking a question and being shown a bunch of Quora threads where other people have asked similar questions but NO ONE seems to have an answer. Or at least not an answer that works. What's the point of that? It doesn't help me to know that other people are merely wondering the same thing I am.
(There are supposedly tricks to get around this. Some people suggest searching a topic and including the word "Reddit," which will then take you to Reddit on the theory that users there will have better filtered out an answer. I have no idea whether or not this works. Why would Reddit be more reliable than Quora?)
The contention is that Google could have stopped this devolution, but opted not to because it was more profitable than efficient search. Ultimately the podcast discussion led to a rather dark place, a future data quagmire, where it's nearly impossible amid a flood of AI-generated word slush to gather any useful information.
As a blogger, I find that pretty bleak. I'd like to think my little blog could still be found someday by someone looking for something I've posted. (What that could be I'm not sure, since I mostly write about my dog and overdue library books.) I have searched for my photos via Google with mixed results. A lot of stuff comes up before me, mostly Alamy images that have to be purchased.
Anyway, that's what I'm thinking about as I write this post and set it to publish while I'm en route to Ireland!
(Photo: Architecture near the Battersea Power Station, in late February.)
25 comments:
I think I could Google the right words to find your blog at the top of a list, after one declared paid ad. I hear what you are saying, but I am generally satisfied with Google results. I don't regularly use Reddit but I do find it superior to Quora, where there is so much baiting.
I'm loving the former power station with its such clever lighting. Well done that girl.
I didn't know you could schedule a post in advance. Another new thing to learn.
Hope you will have a great day in Dublin.
Have you heard the term Habsburg AI? Even google gives some interesting results.
Basically the term explains that the internet - and esp. regarding AI - is a system that is so heavily trained on the algorithms it has created that it becomes an inbred mutant.
Years ago, our IT technician at work started to mutter GIGO whenever he was called to fix yet another crashed or failing software. He offered a workshop on GIGO and of course we all attended, only to learn that GIGO stands for garbage in, garbage out.
The word "SPONSORED" never used to appear with Google returns. When I see that word I scroll down. Those dumb linked questions that are coughed up in relation to one's search can be very funny because of their inappropriateness but I could do without them. Will you be having a proper pint of Guinness in a proper Irish pub?
I'm with Yorkshire. I scroll right past the first results because they are "Sponsored."
Have a great day in Dublin with the maddening crowds of revelers.
I hope you’re happily enjoying the greens of Dublin. I agree about Google searches. Money is the key factor.. I’ve tried the Reddit path at times, but am never more satisfied with the results. Lots of opinion/discussion which is not what I’m usually looking for.
I usually have pretty good luck with my Google searches. I just skip past the "sponsored" stuff as others have mentioned and scan for the info I want. Sometimes it takes me down a rabbit hole but that can be fun and informative, too. Hope Dublin is fun, Steve!
I just googled "shadows and light blog" and there you were!
Right at the top. Immediately.
Great photo, Steve! I can't wait to see a few of your takes from Ireland.
Interesting look at a very skewed site. They can make things sound very reasonable. Enjoy Ireland.
I have to agree that google is less useful and downright frustrating at times when I'm very specific in my search terms and still don't get the info I'm looking for.
I think someone COULD find your blog if they put in the right search stuff -- maybe not on the first page, but eventually. I know when I've looked for certain things, other blogs have turned up (ones I've not visited or even knew existed). I hope your Dublin trip is a terrific one! Enjoy!
I found your blog by searching for that "Waterfall" fountain in London. I'm not sure that would work any longer. I used to be able see some of my posts pop up in a search but that hasn't happened in years now. It is disheartening to think about how difficult it is to get to the truth any more.
I love your photo today!
You know, I use Google a lot. When I type in something (ANYTHING) the first option that pops up is whatever I typed with FNAF added at the end (my grandson is a Five Nights At Freddy's fan. For the past couple days, I noticed something new. The latest add on is 'Temu'.
It's concerning to hear about the deterioration of Google's search results and the potential impact on accessing useful information online. The idea of a future data quagmire is indeed bleak, especially for content creators like yourself who rely on visibility to reach audiences. Let's hope for improvements in the realm of search algorithms to maintain the integrity of information retrieval on the internet. Safe travels to Dublin! 🛫
I find going gently on Google , it’s the first to come up generally x
Well said. I wonder too how vulnerable we are. No privacy, distortion of laws...it all comes from the top.
I've definitely noticed that about google. My dad asked me yesterday if I had used duck duck go & I haven't, but maybe I should check it out.
My google searches are okay. When I have a medical question, I use PUBMED (National Library of Medicine) online and for world news and economics I subscribe to the Economist magazine (hard copy & online) and prefer these sources over google. AI is currently in the early stages. In time, my hope is it will be very reliable and I particularly like the fact it can analyze lots of data unlike anything else.
On my blogs, I've always ticked the settings box that discourages search engines from indexing them. I love reading the blogs I want to read, but when doing a Google search for something, I don't really want someone's blog entry about that topic coming up. (though occasionally is IS useful!)
Steve, I read your blog every day and am aware of your shared experiences in the library, so when I read this wonderful article in the Guardian I immediately thought, "O my... I HAVE to send this link to Steve!" I hope you enjoy (and have a great time in Dublin!)
Here's the link:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/16/california-librarian-mychal-threets-tiktok-mental-health
Karen
I feel so old in my resistance to all things AI. I tell you what, though. My students regularly try to cheat with CHAT-GPT, and it really sucks. Not just the cheating but the "answers" and "thoughts" the AI has. Honestly, it makes SO MANY mistakes. But again, I feel exhausted when I think about the future.
"More profitable"
The two worst words in my opinion. All roads lead to money now I guess.
I think my comment must have landed elsewhere-
I’ve heard it said that AI is the new Google. The problem of course is to verify that what’s being reported is actually true. The blogger experience on Google has also devolved. Enjoy Dublin and thanks for taking us along!
Andrew: If you Googled the name of the blog it would come up, I bet. But there are a lot of Steve Reeds out there. (A surprising number!)
Yael: Yes! It's handy in situations like this!
Sabine: Ha! I haven't heard the Habsburg thing, but I have heard GIGO.
YP: Yeah, I usually skip all the "sponsored" stuff too, but even the results below that are manipulated by search engine optimization and profiteering.
Bob: Yeah, me too.
Mitchell: I know! I don't see how Reddit would have any advantage over any other message board.
Ellen D: Oh, absolutely -- rabbit holes can be fun too!
Ms Moon: Yeah, I think the blog comes up immediately, especially by title. When I mentioned Googling photos, I meant searching for the subject of the pictures and having them come up in Google results. All my photos are tagged on Flickr. They used to come up faster than they do now, I think.
Red: It always pays to know where your information is coming from!
Ellen: It's so strange. I mean, I know they have to make money, but I don't think they're exactly hurting and it's counterproductive to torpedo the reason people use Google in the first place -- accuracy.
Jeanie: I don't think the blog is too hard to find. I mean the photos themselves, based on the search terms I tag them with on Flickr. (My tagging could be partly at fault!)
Sharon: I remember that! Yeah, I should try that search now and see if my pictures come up.
Debby: What on earth is "Five Nights at Freddy's"? I am going to have to look that up. LOL! I've bought exactly one thing from Temu but I get their ads constantly.
Melody: Thank you! It affects all of us who blog when people can't find our sites.
John: Yeah, searching by blog title seems to work, especially since fewer people have blogs these days. (Except for us dinosaurs. :) )
Susan K: Well, there's no doubt that Google gathers information about us. I don't worry about it too much, though. If they learn that I wear Levi's instead of Lee, that's fine with me.
Bug: Yeah, I've never tried that, nor Bing either.
Susan: Good for you for going to trusted sources. Googling medical information is always a dubious bet.
Kelly: I allow Google searches of my blog. That's why I'm occasionally circumspect in my posts when I'm writing about certain people or places!
PGHPoet: Thanks so much for the link! I loved that story! He sounds like a great guy.
Elizabeth: The eye-opener for me regarding Chat-GPT was hearing that it just MAKES STUFF UP if it can't find what you're looking for. I've never used it and don't intend to.
Linda Sue: You might be in spam! I need to clean out my spam folder! Sorry!
37P: I don't see how AI could be the same as a Google search. I'm not asking for information alone -- I want the sourcing too!
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