Google Defends Statements On Its Search Quality & Forum Results

Not too long ago, we coated a few of Google’s rationale for ranking forums like Reddit and Quora so effectively 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 dangerous and potentially harmful discussion board threads for health-related queries.

Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liason, posted comments on a LinkedIn publish from Lily Ray defending the assertion he made on this matter. I am going to share all of them right here, as a result of I’m positive lots 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 “effectively, we received loads of suggestions that customers like Reddit outcomes and append Reddit to the tip of many queries”

That’s … nothing that I stated. 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 stated. If another Googler stated it, please let me know — however I am fairly positive no different one has, both.

What I stated in abstract was:
* We present a Discussions and Boards unit if it appears related
* I perceive the considerations about this showing for medical queries
* Other than this, web optimization people are typically pretty vocal in disliking seeing extra *discussion board* content material in our outcomes — however searchers discover it helpful for some issues
* Our rating methods will not be excellent, and we’ll preserve enhancing them — together with this sort of suggestions, which is appreciated

That’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 exhibits 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 similar 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. Equivalent to:

That is not what I stated and does 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 subsequently now we at all times present it!” Nor can we at all times present it, which is why while 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 need to make sure that *any* content material we present in outcomes — together with discussion board content material — is related and helpful. The place reliability is essential, we have systems that work to floor this sort 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 stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve executed with earlier points like this which were raised — to the search workforce. Maybe our methods will change to point out these much less usually for such queries. Maybe we’d do a greater job with messages / disclaimers if we do present a discussion board unit — “individuals listed here 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. Individuals struggling sicknesses, for instance, would possibly need to hear how individuals are coping usually outdoors of potential remedies. I might count on we’ll preserve taking a look at the right way to enhance right here.

3) As for discussion board content material usually, 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 stated. However we present video content material, information content material, picture content material and so forth when our methods suppose that may be helpful to point out. Discussion board content material is like that, too.

That brings me again to what I stated earlier than. I perceive the priority, respect it, have raised it with the search workforce — and a few are already wanting additional at this. The aim, 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 containers are largely Reddit and Quora, so Danny does not have to outright say Reddit or Quora, that’s what ranks 95% of the time. So I’m not positive why there must be clarification there.

There’s additionally this publish from Danny Sullivan on late Friday as effectively 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 the right way to enhance right here.

To recap why I might hoped it would not been seen as dismissive….

“As for exhibiting discussion board content material in relation to medical queries, I stated I perceive the considerations about that and have handed it alongside as one thing we’d have a look at extra.” X post

“I can respect the priority and situation, and I’ve handed that alongside to the rating workforce to see how we’d enhance the automated methods right here.” X post

“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 stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve executed with earlier points like this which were raised — to the search workforce.” X post

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 sort of suggestions actively to know methods to enhance. It’s appreciated.

After which there’s this publish 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 Assist Neighborhood, MacRumors Discussion board and additional down, there’s Reddit. I additionally did [kumo cloud not working setup 5ghz] not too long ago (it is a nightmare) and it was the Netgear group, the SmartThings Neighborhood, GreenBuildingAdvisor earlier than Reddit. Associated to that was [disable 5g airport] which has Apple Assist Neighborhood above Reddit. [how to open an 8 track tape] — actually, it was the YouTube movies that helped me most, but it surely’s the Tapeheads group that comes earlier than Reddit.

In your instance for [toyota tacoma], I do not even get Reddit within the high outcomes. I get Toyota, Automobile & Driver, Wikipedia, Toyota once more, three YouTube movies from completely different creators (not Toyota), Edmunds, a High Tales unit. No Reddit, which does not actually help the notion of at all times desirous to drive site visitors simply to Reddit.

If I assume on the extra particular question you might need executed, 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 greater for that question — but it surely’s not first. It is also not at all times first. And typically, it is not even exhibiting in any respect.

Anyway – it appears Google is conscious of the problems many are expressing. It appears Google could make adjustments based mostly on these points. How lengthy that may take is unknown. This stuff can take some time…

Discussion board dialogue at LinkedIn.