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Google Tweaks Algorithm; EHow Traffic Plummets

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the small-mercies dept.

jfruhlinger writes "For some time there's been rumbling that Google's search results have been gummed up by low-quality pages from 'content farms,' written at low or no cost specifically to score high on common Google queries. Now it looks like the latest update to Google's search algorithm is having an effect, cutting into traffic to eHow (and cutting down the stock price of eHow's owner, Demand Media, in the process)."

6 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Already done. by kcbnac · · Score: 5, Informative

    Previous Slashdot discussion:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/03/11/1711252/Google-Introduces-Domain-Blocking-To-Search

    Article discussing how:
    http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/hide-sites-to-find-more-of-what-you.html

    1. Re:Already done. by Maximum+Prophet · · Score: 5, Informative

      You have to be logged into a google service, click on a link in the search results, go back, then just that link will have the "Block" button. It took me a few tries before it worked for me.

      Even better, you can go right to http://www.google.com/reviews/t to set things up in bulk. Then, when you search, at the bottom of the page should be a link like "Some items were blocked, click to see"

      --
      All ideas^H^H^H^H^Hprocesses in this post are Patent Pending. (as well as the process of patenting all postings)
    2. Re:Already done. by Maximum+Prophet · · Score: 3, Informative

      You can go right to http://www.google.com/reviews/t to set things up in bulk. You do have to be logged into a google service first, and for the blocking to work.

      --
      All ideas^H^H^H^H^Hprocesses in this post are Patent Pending. (as well as the process of patenting all postings)
    3. Re:Already done. by onepoint · · Score: 3, Informative

      Well google does cover that, just in case you do read Klingon, they want everyone to be able to read it http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=xx-klingon

      --
      if you see me, smile and say hello.
  2. Re:Hit me badly too by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think Google have made a massive error here - by saying they can gauge the quality of a website (and its usefulness) algorithmically is arrogant and short-sighted. I hope they figure this out quickly. I really do hate having to sell stuff, even my own work!

    You have it entirely backwards. Google has made the only intelligent decision here, by saying that they cannot possibly gauge the quality of all websites manually, and sticking to their guns about doing it programatically. That way, suing them over your position in the rankings is much more difficult because they can prove a lack of favoritism.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  3. Re:Hit me badly too by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Informative

    On my netbook, when I navigate to your site I see two pictures, a couple menus and a bunch of ads on the first screen. I have to scroll down to the second page to even get an idea about what kind of content your site offers. That's very atypical for a good website.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)