Google is testing a bot that logs in to forums

Google recently contacted me with the following email:

Upon logging in to check out the system, I was greeted with this:



Sure, they're calling it "Site Diagnostics" but the truth appears to be that they're testing a system that will allow them to better target ads on sites that have closed content. Pretty smart of them really.[/QUOTE]

 

Wow...that is really interesting...I guess that will end the issue of showing different things to people whether they are logged in or logged out for the most part...

 

I didn't see where it mentioned the ability to log in.

 

In the screenshot it's pretty obvious:
the section labelled CURRENT LOGINS

 

That's nice. I need to create forum soon!

 

awesome to hear, looks like a nice feature. Why do you say forum though in the title? Is it just for forums? or is it because a certain part of your forum is restricted area...

 

I would think, typically, forums are the registered only parts of a site. Although, I can see it working for almost any 'registered' content webpage.

 

Were you picked at random, or is there something one can do to get started with the "diagnostics?"

 

How coincidental. I am currently creating a forum! Ha! See what happens!!

 

Now, if we can just teach the Bot to make posts that are contextually relevant...

"Hi - I'm GoogleBot For Forums! I noticed that you were talking about Sunlamps for Vampires. Please visit our sponsor who specializes in said product."

"Hi - it is GoogleBot for Forums again - why is everyone Red-repping me??"

Ah yes, yet another revenue stream for Google...

 

this is a good thing, but bad thing overall for newbies because now more competition

 

Well I am sure Google will be glad that you have just informed all their competitors about this new feature.

 

thanks
it is interesting
you can expect every thing from google

 

LOL...HAHAHA....Thats funny... A rep for you for making my day

 

Has anyone tried actually adding a log in to see if its that intelligent. I'm betting that originally the logins are for URL's that are authenticated (the popup box for logins). I think you can convert a URL to username: password @www.website.com or something like that simple.

Forums is another story. Often times an actual attempt through the login URL which then returns cookies in a header which would then have to be replicated.

It could certainly done. I've built a PHP program to manage keyword bids for 2nd tier PPC engines run by smart clicks and jackhammer and other tier II software and we'd have to mimick a login to get the proper session codes and cookies (wasn't as simple as a mere username/password), but I'm betting this isn't where Google is headed, at least not yet.

 

If they do spider restricted content, what's the point of featuring it in their search results ? People will have to log in to see the content when they do get to the site anyway.

 

It's for AdSense and not the search index.