IMPORTANT! READ THIS: Google just screwed your ranking reports

[Michael Martinez]

I don't understand why Google would want this mandatory personalized search to impede the discovery of new Web content. Doesn't this imply that users will see the same sites over and over again in their search results, if they search for the same term ? Once again, Google over-analyzing what they think users want. Just remember, the Roman Empire didn't last forever.....

PokerDude, search market share is measured on the basis of page views. That is the worst possible metric one can use but it's the metric that all the market reporting firms (Compete, comScore, Hitwise, and Nielsen) have been using for years. A couple of the firms are now starting to report "Time on Site" but that's not really useful, either.

Not wanting to get into conspiracy theory, because I believe Google did this for more than one reason, I think that users will gradually increase the number of queries they try on Google in order to compensate for the lack of discovery. Google probably has taken that possibility into consideration in making this decision.

The privacy issues are, I think, more radical.

Other possible benefits Google might see would be a gradual tendency on users' parts to move undesired listings down in their search results. Suddenly, we're all spam cops voting content down by clicking on other content.

Or we're all quality raters voting content up by clicking on "the right stuff".

Personalized Search has an advantage over general search when it comes to determining results on the basis of click-throughs: Personalized Search cannot be gamed.

In fact, Google may be able to better weed out the networks of click-inflating robots that have been trying to influence PPC advertising rates. Those networks won't be able (at first, at least) to turn off the Personalized Search and they'll keep running the same queries over and over again, never making any changes.

There is considerable potential for abuse in what Google has done, but I think this is really more a response to the abuse to which their service has been subjected by aggressive marketers.

[Michael Martinez]

Any insight into how it would effect rankings in this aspect?

The quality of all rankings reports will decline over time. Even the rankings reports Google provides through Webmaster Tools -- which really don't mean a whole lot -- will become less helpful.

Rankings might become an indicator of how valuable people in general deem our sites to be. An average ranking based on aggregate personalized results for the past 6 months is a better indication of popularity than an arbitrary ranking based solely on our SEO efforts.

And the fact that the window will slide (data drops out of the mix after 180 days) suggests that people with large, very active search user audiences will be able to make adjustments and gauge their impacts within a relatively short period of time.

I have, in fact, suggested on SEO Theory (in the past) that people take a look at moving averages, which are very helpful in trends analysis. The SEO community may now start trying to develop some moving average tools in response to this move by Google.

But I think privacy advocates will have much to say on the subject come Monday. I am sure Google timed this announcement -- late on a Friday -- very, very carefully.

[Chalkie]

Just a thought, however, would using the incognito tab in chrome solve the issue in general?

For your own testing and informational reasons at least? At least it may give a sort of insight where the personal versions will appear from.

If so perhaps it is a way to push people to using chrome or at least a way round it anyway

In fact i am not even sure if there is a similar thing in explorer or firefox tbh but its just a thought on the fly whilst trying to babysit and keep abreast of things as i do so

[Ridge]

Well this is great to wake up too, and will be a great topic to chat about. I fear that we won't know the damage this will do to the affiliate industry as a whole for a few months. Especially how this affects new websites which to me might be one of the worst parts. I also think this really increase the value of community websites and sites that have return visitors.

[321]

This is worse for a user than it is for a webmaster. I use Amazon to buy CDs and DVDs, but that doesn't mean I want Amazon to rank #1 for any product or thing they offer, like I don't want a poker book #1 for a poker search. I already freaking know where Amazon is, so I don't need them at the top of my results for most everything.

I want to go into a club and pick up the hottest hottie there, not choose from among only the hotties I've been with before (or at the least, have to wade through them before I can see anyone else).

My favorite TV show is my favorite show, but I don't want to watch it 24/7.

[LadyHoldem]

oughta boost user loyalty.

[Michael Martinez]

Just a thought, however, would using the incognito tab in chrome solve the issue in general?

No effect. You still have to opt out, according to a test I just ran.

BTW -- I think someone earlier suggested clearing all cookies. That will just ACTIVATE the Personalized Search function, as it will install a new cookie with the default setting.

[LadyHoldem]

Right, but if you delete cookies, and then search.. you should get a fresh search..

[Giorgio]

IMO this is GREAT news.

Just build a superb site, instead of spending lots of time on SEO, spend a lot of time creating a site that is really valuable for visitors.

Can't wait until Google values websites like they should, on quality, not on just a steady link scheme.

[Michael Martinez]

Deleting cookies will only reset your environment so that Web History is tracked. The only way to ensure they don't track your history is to opt out and NOT delete cookies.