Does it matter what Michael Arrington thinks of SearchWiki?

24 November 2008

Does it matter what Michael Arrington thinks of SearchWiki?

Over the past few days, high profile bloggers like Michael Arrington and plenty of others have been shouting loudly about their dislike of Google’s new SearchWiki and calling for Google to include an off switch. Many rejoiced over the weekend when SearchWiki was down thinking it to be a Google U-turn, only to be disappointed when it returned an hour later. But does Arrington’s (or any other tech blogger’s) opinion matter? Do Google care?

First we must answer the question, what’s Google’s intention with SearchWiki? Is it:

(a) For Joe the Plumber to help him find that web result the second (or nth) time he enters his favourite search query

(b) For the tech elite (”I’m a mac”) to participate in helping Google provide great results

If it’s (a) then…

No, Arrington’s opinion matters as much as your score in Super Mario Bros when you’ve just lost your last life.

Sure, it’s valid. Let’s be clear, I’m not saying Arrington shouldn’t have said what he said, or that what he’s said isn’t relevant, or even that he’s wrong. But does it *matter*? Do Google care?

Firstly he’s not an average user, and neither is any other tech blogger (or any blogger for that matter). A few SEO’s have been vocal about SearchWiki too, but again they aren’t your average user.

Second, the influence they have, whilst significant, isn’t an audience of average users. TechCrunch has a lot of readers and significant influence…but influence within tech circles. Perhaps that’s unfair (maybe ‘tech circles’ isn’t a well defined phrase) but I’m guessing TechCrunch readers aren’t your average Google user either.

Third, Google made a a lot of noise about this. Bigger than even a site like TechCrunch could ever make. Sites like BBC and the NY Times picked up the story. Many blogs picked up the story and fell into line with a ‘We love Google’ stance. Wouldn’t Arrington’s (and others’) stance be drowned out by all the noise?

Google haven’t made SearchWiki for the mac tech elite. They’ve made it for Joe the Plumber who wants to make sure that when he enters that search query again tomorrow he won’t spend all his time searching through the results again. That’s why Arrington’s opinion doesn’t matter, however well founded it might be. Google don’t care.

But if it’s (b) then…

Yes we can it does matter, as importantly as eggs in pancakes.

Seriously, Joe the Plumber isn’t ever going to realise Google have changed something like this - it’s only going to be ‘I’m a mac’ who ever uses (and complains) about something like this.

Sure, the tech elite aren’t the majority of Google users, so if Google make them angry and they flock to Live its not a disaster. They probably don’t click on PPC ads anyway. But isn’t this kind of feature a feature made for these types of people? People like Arrington, tech bloggers and their readers? If they don’t use it, who will? If most people don’t even realise that the links they’ve been clicking on at the top of the search results are really paid ads (apparently most people don’t), are they really going to spot a small change to the Google interface?

Once you’ve made your mind up about that then there’s more to consider.

Google’s mistakes

Do they really want to influence search rankings with this kind of voting system? If so, it’s a mistake to make it available only to users with a Google Account. Is it a dig at Digg? Then it’s a mistake not to allow a user to see changes another user has made.

What do you think? Do you love it or hate it? Why have Google done it? Does Arrington’s opinion matter to Google?

7 Comments currently posted.

Dave Shaw: Search Blogger of the Day | SEO Scoop says:

[...] Dave Shaw, the Search Blogger of the Day. Today I’d like to highlight a post entitled, Does it matter what Michael Arrington thinks of SearchWiki?. This is an interesting take on when and why opinions matter. It actually caused my mind to jump to [...]