Google SearchWiki: What’s it Going to Do to Search?
A couple of weeks ago, Google debuted its SearchWiki. Users are given the option to move results up or down, or remove or add, from the main search page. There is also a comment feature that allows users to make notes about a search result, and other users can give those notes the thumbs up or down.
This idea of “social search” is not completely new. Sites like Digg and StumbleUpon are social bookmarking platforms where users identify web pages, then vote them up or down…essentially creating a popular ratings system. Through voting, the most highly ranked pages rise to the top, driving enormous amounts of traffic to those sites.
What will a customized search option mean for bloggers? It will mean that once again, we are shifting our focus to content. As I have said before, content is king. It is the foundation for your interaction with the rest of the web. And generating tons of traffic with various tools will only bring a temporary increase in hits to your site if your content isn’t relevant and engaging.
The critical construct of social media is that the user is a major part of the interaction. People want to be a part of the process, not simply a recipient of information. It will take a combination of great writing and community engagement to keep your readership and customer base going strong.
Tags: Blog Marketing, social-search