October 26th, 2008
Google readying SearchWiki?
Google outsources most of their translation needs to volunteers with their Google In Your Language tool. Some of the phrases Google is asking to be translated are pointing towards a feature Google alluded to back in August.
“Here’s an example of an experiment that lets you comment on search results and move them around on the result page. At this point, I can’t say what we expect from this feature; we’re just curious to see how it will be used. “
Here are several of the phrases that Google is looking for help translating, which makes me believe the feature is getting closer to launch:
- “SearchWiki” - The name of the search feature that allows you to edit results.
- “Make a public comment” - Text for the comment save button.
- “Could not retrieve comments for this page” - Error message shown when other users’ comments could not be fetched for a particular webpage.
- “Customize your search results with your rankings, deletions, and notes — plus, see how other people using Google have tailored their searches” - The first part of the notice shown when a user first edits a result.
- “Please remember that your SearchWiki notes will be visible to other users, identified with your Google Account nickname” - The second part of the notice shown when a user first edits a result.
I’ve never been a fan of wiki-style editing of search results concept though. I believe that only people looking to improve their own search rankings will have a recommendation for search terms, or really feel like re-ordering a search page. The average user simply wants information, they are not looking to contribute.
What do you think? Would you use a feature that lets you edit and comment on search results ?
Garett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Googling Google via Email alerts or RSS.
