Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
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Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
1–10 of 21 posts
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#2I don't think this is a valid argument. By the very definition of search engines and the web itself, tech-related stuff will be more highly-ranked than less-techier alternatives (to a certain level, obviously).
It's a self-reinforcing cycle. My favorite example is Googling for "wine" where the emulator comes in first place. There are many other similar examples as well.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#3So he wants info about 'pdf reader software' but only searches for 'pdf' and doesn't get what he wants? Duh. Guess what happens when you search for what he really wants?
Google's search isn't psychic. It also isn't personalized. It will give you the best guess it can make based on your search terms. But just like almost everything else in the world, if you don't supply enough information, you won't get what you want.
If I want a car repair shop, I don't search for car. If I want a pet crematorium, I don't search for pet.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#4So if you want to order pizza, you ask for "Food" ?
Anyway, searching for PDF might well mean you are looking for any pdf file (to test your shiny pdf reader maybe?) so its reasonable. I m surprised that there's no wikipedia result for probability distribution function though.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#5This is the definition of a corner case. Google is smart, but it can't read your mind. Give it a hand, and think like a computer.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#6So he wants info about 'pdf reader software' but only searches for 'pdf' and doesn't get what he wants? Duh. Guess what happens when you search for what he really wants? Google's search isn't psychic. It also isn't personalized. It will give you the best guess it can make based on your search terms. But just like almost everything else in the world, if you don't supply enough information, you won't get what you want.…
(actually, it is personalized somewhat)
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#7They are relevant to him.* He is currently logged in, and his location is visible on the left side of the image. Google uses his previous search queries as well as information about him and his location to provide a relevant result. He has probably searched for Java and R before. If you try searching pdf in your own browser, it is likely there will be different results.
*I meant that it is what Google thinks is relevant to him based on the data that they have.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#8They are relevant to him.* He is currently logged in, and his location is visible on the left side of the image. Google uses his previous search queries as well as information about him and his location to provide a relevant result. He has probably searched for Java and R before. If you try searching pdf in your own browser, it is likely there will be different results. *I meant that it is what Google thinks is relev…
I'm pretty sure he's the best determinant of whether the search results are relevant to him, and he says they aren't.
We all know what causes this problem, but it's still a problem.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#9This is the definition of a corner case. Google is smart, but it can't read your mind. Give it a hand, and think like a computer.
Two things.
Shitty queries give shitty results. Shocker! His argument is totally lame and I'm the first to pile on with Google's mediocrity as it matures. So that's saying something.
At the same time, "think like a computer" is a terrible standard for a piece of consumer software. The money today exists in building elaborate do-what-I-mean machines precisely because thinking like a computer sucks and people don't like to do that.
Luckily, the standard isn't for just computers — it's anyone. If you told me "PDF" I wouldn't know wtf to do either. The need for context exists until we invent mind reading machines.
Re: Google's search results are not relevant, example: PDF
#10This is the definition of a corner case. Google is smart, but it can't read your mind. Give it a hand, and think like a computer.
Two things. Shitty queries give shitty results. Shocker! His argument is totally lame and I'm the first to pile on with Google's mediocrity as it matures. So that's saying something. At the same time, "think like a computer" is a terrible standard for a piece of consumer software. The money today exists in building elaborate do-what-I-mean machines precisely because thinking like a computer sucks and people don't lik…
Exactly: garbage in, garbage out.