New Google Algorithm Predicts Searches
BBC News is reporting that Google is about to launch a new algorithm that will predict user searches.
A group of programmers at Google claim that their new algorithm knows what you are going to search for even before you enter your query. Starting April 1, 2016, you will be able to click on the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on the Google search page without entering a query and Google will return the results you were looking for.
"There's no magic or mind reading involved," explained one of the programmers working on the not-so-secret algorithm. "We already know a lot about users from previous searches, and it's pretty easy to predict what kinds of information they will be searching for at any given time."
While it's an interesting concept, some users are a bit uncomfortable with this technology.
Some users fear the new algorithm may violate privacy and security by using data analytics to predict user behavior, but Shirley Holmes, a Google spokesperson, said that the new service is a matter of logic, and not a breach of privacy.
"It is really only going one step further than Amazon does when showing you items related to your purchases, or than any of the music services do when they suggest artists you may like," said Holmes.
"Ultimately, Google users are lazy," she remarked. "Forget Boolean operators or advanced searches, our users don't even want to type in two or three short words."
"Now they won't have to," she added.
I'm not sure what this says about the state of knowledge seeking, but I am certainly intrigued enough to find out what Google recommends for me.
A group of programmers at Google claim that their new algorithm knows what you are going to search for even before you enter your query. Starting April 1, 2016, you will be able to click on the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on the Google search page without entering a query and Google will return the results you were looking for.
"There's no magic or mind reading involved," explained one of the programmers working on the not-so-secret algorithm. "We already know a lot about users from previous searches, and it's pretty easy to predict what kinds of information they will be searching for at any given time."
While it's an interesting concept, some users are a bit uncomfortable with this technology.
Some users fear the new algorithm may violate privacy and security by using data analytics to predict user behavior, but Shirley Holmes, a Google spokesperson, said that the new service is a matter of logic, and not a breach of privacy.
"It is really only going one step further than Amazon does when showing you items related to your purchases, or than any of the music services do when they suggest artists you may like," said Holmes.
"Ultimately, Google users are lazy," she remarked. "Forget Boolean operators or advanced searches, our users don't even want to type in two or three short words."
"Now they won't have to," she added.
I'm not sure what this says about the state of knowledge seeking, but I am certainly intrigued enough to find out what Google recommends for me.
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