The Speed Thing: Google Search Results Tricks
September 10, 2010
I don’t have too much to say about speed. In my talks about real-time information, I make a point of identifying points in an information retrieval system where latency imposes delays. The Google speed thing addresses one aspect of search; namely, displaying results as someone types. I noted this display stuff in year 2000 when I got a demo of Fast Search & Technology’s implementation of a type ahead feature. Then and now, I did not get too excited. The reason is that I formulate queries and enter them with intent. I personally dislike systems that try to “think like a goose.” Pretty tough since algorithms work one way and a goose brain works a different way, right?
I do want to call attention to what I think is one of those wild and crazy write ups that appear in “real” publications. Point your browser thingy at “In an Instant, Google Pulls Further Ahead of Microsoft, Yahoo.” Now if the predictive stuff actually worked, you would not have to point or click in my opinion. Keep in mind that the predictive stuff is reasonably new and we were not able to see the function across the different systems we tested yesterday, so here in Harrod’s Creek, the Google magic was hit and miss. The article is a collection of observations by pundits and most of the points are like high school cheers. You hear the words but don’t really care. It is the spirit that counts.
My views are this:
- It is a bit early to declare that a Google feature does much of anything to Web usage data. The data are approximations of what’s happening and quite old. This means that the “effect” of Google’s whiz bang new feature won’t be known in its fuzzy statistical glory for weeks.
- The focus of search is shifting, based on our work in the last few months. Not only is the mobile device having an impact, but the social approach is beginning to gain traction. If our work is on the money, this spells big trouble in River City for traditional search box methods.
- Embedded search puts information “there”. A good example is a map which shows a bunch of stuff. The user just hovers. The “map” gets search parameters in the background so the “search without search” approach that I noted when I examined Endeca’s implementation for Fidelity Investments in the UK six or seven years ago is now being consumerized.
In short, I know folks love Google mouse pads and secretly hope to work for Messrs. Brin and Page. I also know that no one gets invited to Google events for raining on a Google parade. Nevertheless, let’s keep the latency issue in mind and then put the Google announcement in the context of significant search trends. “Real” journalists, I suppose, long for the days when they could sit in English class and interpret Milton’s “Lycidas.” Won’t work for the hard world of information retrieval in this goose’s opinion. Confusing razzle dazzle for what users are doing keeps the azurini busy. Wonderful.
Stephen E Arnold, September 10, 2010
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