Lately, we coated a few of Google’s rationale for rating boards like Reddit and Quora so properly within the Dialogue and Boards field for a lot of queries. Just some days in the past, we coated how I used to be unhappy to see Google rating some harmful and probably dangerous discussion board threads for health-related queries.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liason, posted feedback on a LinkedIn submit from Lily Ray defending the assertion he made on this matter. I will share all of them right here, as a result of I’m certain a lot of you didn’t see them:
Catching up on this. I have been the one primarily responding to what you have raised, so on this half:
“Their response is normally some model of “properly, we obtained loads of suggestions that customers like Reddit outcomes and append Reddit to the tip of many queries”
That’s … nothing that I mentioned. I did not say we simply present content material on a regular basis from Reddit as a result of customers prefer it. I did not even say Reddit in any respect. I undoubtedly didn’t say we in some way append Reddit to the tip of many queries. None of that’s, sorry, correct to what I mentioned. If another Googler mentioned it, please let me know — however I am fairly certain no different one has, both.
What I mentioned in abstract was:
* We present a Discussions and Boards unit if it appears related
* I perceive the issues about this showing for medical queries
* Other than this, search engine optimization people are usually pretty vocal in disliking seeing extra *discussion board* content material in our outcomes — however searchers discover it helpful for some issues
* Our rating programs usually are not good, and we’ll preserve bettering them — together with this kind of suggestions, which is appreciatedThat’s not that we in some way add Reddit to a question, a lot much less each question. That is not how the boards unit — that reveals content material from *many boards* works…..
To proceed, I additionally did not say we simply at all times present content material as a result of individuals identical to it. They do, at instances — and it is helpful, at instances, and we attempt to determine that out. However it’s not the identical as “they prefer it, so we at all times present it” which is what I’ve repeated followed-up on about. Comparable to:
That is not what I mentioned and would not appear to select up the nuance in any respect in how I replied, sorry. I did not say “everybody likes discussion board content material due to this fact now we at all times present it!” Nor can we at all times present it, which is why whenever you raised this concern once more, I replied.
That reply was so lengthy that I’ve to separate it up right here, so individuals can simply learn the entire thing….
“I did perceive that time and concern. I did not say “as a result of customers all appear to love one thing, we present it no matter relevancy.” However let me take a swing at a few of these factors once more:
1) We wish to be sure that *any* content material we present in outcomes — together with discussion board content material — is related and helpful. The place reliability is necessary, we have programs that work to floor this kind of info.
2) With the instance you identified, once more, I respect the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I mentioned, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve carried out with earlier points like this which have been raised — to the search workforce. Maybe our programs will change to point out these much less typically for such queries. Maybe we would do a greater job with messages / disclaimers if we do present a discussion board unit — “individuals listed below are sharing experiences however many won’t be medical professionals” and so forth. Boards in all probability do have a job for individuals searching for info. Folks struggling sicknesses, for instance, would possibly wish to hear how individuals are coping typically outdoors of potential therapies. I would count on we’ll preserve taking a look at learn how to enhance right here.
3) As for discussion board content material typically, lots of people do certainly prefer it. That does not imply we’re simply going to at all times present it if it is not related to a question — and once more, it is also not what I mentioned. However we present video content material, information content material, picture content material and so forth when our programs suppose that is likely to be helpful to point out. Discussion board content material is like that, too.
That brings me again to what I mentioned earlier than. I perceive the priority, respect it, have raised it with the search workforce — and a few are already trying additional at this. The objective, as at all times, is to see how we will additional enhance issues. Thanks for the suggestions.
The confusion right here is that what Google ranks now in these Dialogue and Discussion board bins are principally Reddit and Quora, so Danny would not have to outright say Reddit or Quora, that’s what ranks 95% of the time. So I’m not certain why there must be clarification there.
There’s additionally this submit from Danny Sullivan on late Friday as properly on X:
I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have never meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; individuals are certainly taking a look at learn how to enhance right here.
To recap why I would hoped it would not been seen as dismissive….
“As for exhibiting discussion board content material in relation to medical queries, I mentioned I perceive the issues about that and have handed it alongside as one thing we would take a look at extra.” X submit
“I can respect the priority and concern, and I’ve handed that alongside to the rating workforce to see how we would enhance the automated programs right here.” X submit
“With the instance you identified, once more, I respect the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I mentioned, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve carried out with earlier points like this which have been raised — to the search workforce.” X submit
There’s extra of that. You possibly can undergo my replies. Saying I am passing suggestions alongside actually is not like “No, this does not matter.” It does get seen. Individuals are utilizing this kind of suggestions actively to grasp methods to enhance. It’s appreciated.
I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have never meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; individuals are certainly taking a look at learn how to enhance right here.
To recap why I would hoped it would not been seen as…
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) April 12, 2024
After which there’s this submit on Reddit from about 5 days in the past from Danny Sullivan:
Reddit will not be at all times prioritized over different boards. [super vhs to mac adapter] I did this week, it goes Apple Help Neighborhood, MacRumors Discussion board and additional down, there’s Reddit. I additionally did [kumo cloud not working setup 5ghz] just lately (it is a nightmare) and it was the Netgear neighborhood, the SmartThings Neighborhood, GreenBuildingAdvisor earlier than Reddit. Associated to that was [disable 5g airport] which has Apple Help Neighborhood above Reddit. [how to open an 8 track tape] — actually, it was the YouTube movies that helped me most, nevertheless it’s the Tapeheads neighborhood that comes earlier than Reddit.
In your instance for [toyota tacoma], I do not even get Reddit within the prime outcomes. I get Toyota, Automobile & Driver, Wikipedia, Toyota once more, three YouTube movies from totally different creators (not Toyota), Edmunds, a Prime Tales unit. No Reddit, which does not actually assist the notion of at all times desirous to drive visitors simply to Reddit.
If I assume on the extra particular question you might need carried out, perhaps [overland mods for toyota tacoma], I get a YouTube video first, then Reddit, then Tacoma World at third — not close to the underside. So sure, Reddit is larger for that question — nevertheless it’s not first. It is also not at all times first. And generally, it is not even exhibiting in any respect.
Anyway – it appears Google is conscious of the problems many are expressing. It appears Google might make modifications based mostly on these points. How lengthy which may take is unknown. This stuff can take some time…
Discussion board dialogue at LinkedIn.