I have read somewhere (cant remember where) that google checks everyones bookmarks, and ranks sites with the most bookmarks higher?? Anyone know anything?
I seem to remember reading about that as part of their new patent, meaning it's one for the near future.
Is there browser technology that would pass someone's bookmarks to a site? I'd be quite concerned if so. This would be a huge invasion of privacy.
Google are already a huge invasion of privacy, people are just blinded by it. Google toolbar does nearly as bad as the Alexa Tool bar, and most of there software spys on you.
I don't believe this. So what you are saying is they 'scan' your bookmarks then count them and then give a site a higher ranking. Seems to me that this is again privacy policies of browsers. Personally I think it's technical impossible to search and save everyones bookmarks, think only of the amount of data that will be produced.
Okay I agree with you on that, they don't have storage problems. But they would never try to capture all bookmarks from internet users around the globle. That's just silly.
This would not surprise me, however if its true it would be one of a hundred algo factors, individually they don't count for much but covering and recognising the "potential" algo factors would be a positive webmaster step. Personally I think it should (unless abused by new ways of serp manipulation) recognise quality, I mean how many Metho sites do you add to your fav's?
This theory along with the patent and the major advertising of the Google toolbar could be an indication
Good point Will, While I do not think they could scan ones bookmarks (or at least be that intrusive) I think that the favicon idea would be useful for them.
Great, a new reason for those browser hijack programs to add sites to bookmark files. Actually, I don't think google can access the bookmark file unless you publish your's online. //Yes, good point Will .
If they are monitoring requests for favicons I don't think it'd be accurate. In Firefox when you visit a page the favicon is in the tab you are using and the address bar. So just for visiting a site the favicon is requested and displayed. Now I believe IE doesn't do this, but I would think they will follow some firefox leads in a new revision some time soon. Good idea though.
Everyones bookmarks? I think that would be impossible. Everyones bookmarks that run the Google toolbar, maybe. I do think that adding bookmarking rankings to the algo would be legit, BUT if it's logging only G-Toolbar users bookmarks, that wouldn't be useful. There is a reason that G-Toolbar users are G-Toolbar users. I never heard of it until I started learning about SEO...
Seems doubtful to me. But I do know that they check your fridge and liquor cabinet to see what you're drinking these days... I have proof (but I'm not going to show you here).... Edit: Okay, okay... after intense public demand (almost no emails or PMs), I have caved in and will provide the proof: http://www.google.com/search?source...GLG:en&q=what+minstrel+is+drinking+these+days