So while bored at work on this fine 3rd shift, I searched for the keyword phrase "Search Engine" on google. I was curious to see who ranked second behind Google in their search engine. I was suprised to find out that it was Google that was ranked second, and of all sites, Alta Vista ranked 1st. So I looked into it a bit further, and I did find that Alta Vista ranks higher than Google in anchor text for the term "Search Engine", as does Dogpile.com . So that explained a good part of how Alta Vista might have ranked 1st. A few hours later, I searched again to get a couple more screenshots, and Google had moved down to 3rd, with Alta Vista still at Number 1, and MSN moved up to the second spot for the term. I can't quite figure out how MSN got their spot. I'm not typically in the habit of searching for the term "Search Engine", so I'm not sure if this kind of volitility is typical for that term or not, but it is incredibly suprising to me that Google wouldn't make sure they were the most relevant, they kind of have an edge after all, knowing how their algorithm works. I've posted some screenshots in my blog, along with a bit of extra commentary for the benefit of Digg. Check them out if you are interested. http://wiggitywacknews.blogspot.com/2006/12/google-ranks-3rd-behind-alta-vista-and.html
That goes to show that even Google doesn't know exactly how their algorithm works. That or they just don't care about that term.
If u are already using google why google should redirect you to himself. It's even better that he shows other search engines
Try searching the same term at msn & yahoo. Google is ranked at the top at both of those places. MSN is not ranked anywhere at the first page in its own search results.
Exactly! There is no use in ranking high in your own search engine. They need not put much attention on that.
Google doesn't manually select it's ads to top spots, so why would it select its website at a top spot in the google-search engine? That's just not how they work.
that means it shows that Google is 2 rd or 3 rd Since algorithm cannot be changed for a particular keyword I suspect Google is well below other in algorithm
you be surprised how many people search Yahoo for the term "Yahoo" and how many search Google for "Google" Still trying to figure out that one.
Oh, so that explains the words yahoo, google, msn in wordtrackers mailing list of 500 highest searched terms per week... Thank god they are not at the top of the list...
Google is #1 on search engine on every other search site, I just think there is something in the algorithm for all search engines that prevents them for being ranked #1 in anything.
It makes sense that they wouldn't just manually select the top spot, though some have theorized that they do (this is some pretty good proof that Google is subject to the algorithm just like anyone else..) But I seriously doubt that somebody at Google ever said "You know, I just think we should be fair about this, and if somebody searches for Search Engine, lets give them one of our competitor's as the top spot, Hell, let's give them 2 competitors, it's the Christmas season after all!" That also, is not how Google, or any big business/top ranking site works. (Maybe Craigslist, but they are the hippie exception to the rule! ) My personal belief is that it is based on a variety of factors in the Google algorithm that determines which Search Engine is most relevant for the term "Search Engine". I agree with others who say that Google probably doesn't care all that much where they rank for the terrm, the premise is that it is kind of a funny concept when you think of it. All goofing around aside though, what does seriously confuse me though is that with Google's algorithm attempting to find the most relevant results for any search term, that they as the number 1 search engine(Self proclaimed or not), don't come up as the number 1 for the term. Again, I don't believe there is any manual editing of the algorithm or results to say "for search term "Search Engine" Google.com does not equal #1 spot, but does equal 2 or 3", it would be ludicrous, considering Google has said many times they are not very comfortable with the idea of manually editing results.. Then again ... to contridict myself, I just thought about something... With Webster throwing Google in the dictionary as a verb for searching, maybe the Big G wants to steer clear of the concept of "Search Engine = Google"... hmmm................ I know there is a conspiracy in this somewhere!!! haha...
It's number one for me. However, as said, it shouldn't matter. Ranking high in your own search engine for search engines doesn't matter much.