Google search – the problem.

I am a very big fan of Google – not just their search engine, but also Google Apps and various other applications or services.

At times however, Google search (or any other search engine) actually hinders me from finding what I need. Google, and others, go to great pains to try and produce relevant search results – after all, they would soon lose their user base if people couldn’t find what they were looking for.

I will give you a specific example of the type problem that I mean.

A while ago now, and for a considerable period of time on and off, I was looking for a suitable time billing software application. Time billing software is an important consideration for me due to the nature of some of my business activities. I’m also very much aware that in life, with anything that is worth doing, it is important to get the foundations right. Get the foundations wrong and you will pay the price down the track, sometimes big-time.

I reviewed and researched a number of time billing software applications and overall was very disappointed in what I found. One of the biggest concerns I had was that the majority of them were extremely complicated and had a steep learning curve; which meant that instead of getting on with my work and life I would have had to spend time becoming a time billing software expert. No thanks!

After some time of on and off searching, I discovered Fanurio. Earlier this year I wrote an article about Fanurio which you can read here.

Fanurio was difficult to find and I commented accordingly within the article. If you scroll down the article to the comments section at the bottom, you will see that Fanurio themselves have commented about the Google issue. I did not tell Fanurio that I had written the article, so their comment was pleasant and welcome surprise.

During my search, which eventually resulted in the discovery of the fantastic Fanurio time billing software, I recall that I ended up using some kind of unusual search string (phrase) because all of the obvious search term ideas were resulting in the same old same old*. (*Clunky and overly complicated, sometimes expensive, applications).

The key reason for this problem is not in my view Google’s fault. It has to do with search engine optimisation (SEO) and even paid ads. Clearly, those of you reading this blog who understand SEO will realize that the first page, or even few pages, of Google results tend to be those which for a variety of reasons have a better “SEO quotient”. This article is not the place for an in-depth treatise on SEO, however I would simply say that there is a tendency for people who know what they’re doing in the field of SEO to ensure that their pages come up early on in the search results. This is a natural inclination and there is nothing wrong with it per se – I do it myself for example. The problem however, is that when we are searching for something we are being shown results which Google thinks are the most relevant. This relevancy is influenced significantly by the people behind the SEO – it does not mean however, that in reality, the results that we have been given are actually what we really need.

In the light of this problem which I have outlined, whereby other people’s SEO strategies by hindering me from finding the products and services I actually need and want, I have come up with some methods to fine tune the search results so that they are more to my liking. I will give you some details of some of the methods I use here, however it will not be an in depth or comprehensive report.

1. I do my research as normal, using Google.
2. If the results do not seem appropriate then I start to use some lateral thinking, and alternative methods.

The following is a list of some basic alternative techniques which you can use – with some; you may need to look into them in more depth so that besides understanding them more clearly, you can use them most efficiently.

• Be different to most people; don’t just look at the first three pages of Google results – check further down – way further down if necessary.
• Try and the innovative with your search terms and phrases.
• When viewing web pages related to the subject matter of your query, but which are not what you want, select the view source option in your web browser and have a look at the keywords meta tag towards the top of the page. You will probably find such a tag in most cases. Use the keywords that you see as ideas for search terms.
• Whilst viewing relevant web pages, use the Alexa toolbar, or the Firefox extension version, to look at related pages. These will not always be available for all websites, but it can often be worth checking. You can avoid using a toolbar or Firefox extension (I use SearchStatus) by simply putting a website URL into the Site Info box on the Alexa home page, then click on the Related Links bar off to the left. (Firefox web browser link). Toolbars make checking related links much easier though. Note: some security applications do not like the Alexa toolbar, however in my view it is harmless (unless you have a ‘privacy obsession’). Personally I do not need to use it because the SearchStatus Firefox extension is much more efficient for me.
• Probably one of the best ways to get search term ideas is to use this Google tool. Have a play and see what you find.
• Tip for more advanced web users. You may be aware that Google restricts your search results accordingly to your location (IP address). These days, it is much harder to get Google.com results if you are in Australia for example. By results, I mean basic search results as well as the sponsored ads. Typing Google.com into the address bar when in Australia still produces Australian ‘flavored’ results. Here is the solution: the Google Global Firefox Extension. YOU will be back in control of YOUR results.

There are other methods I use, however the above should help you out a great deal and there is quite a lot to digest.

Attitude is also important. The decision that you will find the best application or service for your needs and not settle for second best, or something which someone else has decided they want to show you.

And don’t forget to have fun!

Related posts:

1. Which search engine to use?
2. Google search gets Aussie algorithm update
3. Hassle free time tracking and billing for freelancers.
4. New methods of job search – continued.
5. DeeperWeb Search – The Essential Search Engine Addon and Plugin