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Google Patent for User Targeted Search Results

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the in-the-crosshairs dept.

lorenbake writes "Scoble is one of many to report that Google has filed a patent for user targeted, or attention targeted, search results which will change the ranking of Google's organic results per each individual user based upon that user's search behavior, location, sites visited, and even 'typing behavior'. How could Google build such user profiles to serve customized organic (non-paid) results to? Tracking via their network of desktop apps, advertising, Gmail, and other network services."

2 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. It's already being done by Slashdoc+Beta · · Score: 5, Informative

    On some seaches you perform you see a "personalized results (BETA)" message. I didn't really have a chance to determine whether the results are better, other than that it ranks the sites you visited before higher.

  2. Grant your trust for the right reasons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    These are actions Google has actually taken:

    Helped Chinese authorities to censor their subjects' Internet access.
    (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx ?NewsId=14130)

    Selectively approved and refused ads, based on political content.
    (http://www.unknownnews.net/google.html)
    (http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040830/reilly)

    Permanently collected search history for everyone who has ever used their site.
    (http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacypolicy.html)
    (http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/161500535)

    Permanently collected/indexed the email history and content of all gmail users, for marketing and law-enforcement use.
    (http://mail.google.com/mail/help/privacy.html)

    Filed obvious software patents.
    (Refer to this slashdot story.)

    For me, when people's actions directly contradict their words, I reduce my trust in them accordingly. Google can keep claiming to "do no evil," but the words are becoming more and more empty.

    "How is it evil? It could be evil because its very powerful but in the right hands.. it could be good for everyone."

    There's a simple way to tell if someone is likely to abuse power. When someone collects power over you, and states that it's for a purpose which doesn't require that power, you are being misled.