Due to some recent criticisms on my part regarding the major search engines, I now feel compelled to set the record straight on where I am coming from in regards to the SE’s. Search engines are good and I’m a big fan. That’s it. Simple as that. But like any passionate fan, I can be both the biggest supporter and the biggest critic at the same time.
In support of the search engines, I’m a huge fan of Google, Yahoo!, MSN, AskJeeves and others. What kind of Internet would exist if we didn’t have the ability to do search? Or what would it be like if most searches were long, laborious and irrelevant? Would the Internet and ecommerce have taken off without search? I don’t think so. Besides the content on the Internet itself, search is what makes the Internet great.
In regards to the criticisms, I want to see that search keeps improving for the searcher. More relevant content and more relevant services while maintaining ease-of-use are the key. I also want to see that a somewhat even playing field among e-businesses is not only maintained but continues to improve in fairness. In these two areas I find myself lodging the majority of the criticisms towards the SE’s.
I’ve decided to set the record straight on my view of the search engines not because I’ve received any comments from others in regards to this, but I’m doing this of my own accord. Any time I feel I’ve been overly critical of something I also feel the need to step back and put the criticisms in perspective to the overall picture. The overall picture is that though I do criticize the search engines for their shortcomings, I’m also a big fan. For instance, where would an SEO firm be without the search engines? I think you get my point.
