Around November 21, we saw a heavily publicized launch for what Google termed as SearchWiki. (Even the WSJ prominently carried this story.) Some claimed that it was not a "Wiki" at all since it was not essentially a socially-driven search system, while some others said that Google was just trying to copy Wikia. Read the Google Operating System blog post about the launch.
Few actually saw the fully-functional version of the modified search system until November 22. But taking us by surprise, by afternoon, Google made a hushed withdrawal, replacing the original search system. Read the TechCrunch post about the withdrawal.
Soon, Searchwiki made a reappearance in Google Experimental (Google's description mentions a cheesy "sound-effect" recorded by Sergey Brin himself - aargh!)
Worst of it all, the Experimental version didn't work - (It doesn't work the moment I am writing this blog!)What really is happening at Google? The way it's happening, it doesn't seem intentional. The reception to SearchWiki has been very divided. While one side maintains that it will kill the manipulation of searches by SEO's and foster better search results providing for a combination of search and social sharing capabilities, the other side says that unmoderated commenting will prove to be a haven for spammers, and cannot do well because the mass customer is always "dumber" than the search engine developer.
My take? This technology is so new and immature that it should only remain an experiment. Search results are more vulnerable for manipulation in Searchwiki, say for instance, if a website starts hiring people to just promote their website for specific keywords. Of course, Google says that your preferences will not affect another user, but that doesn't make sense since we already have an array of bookmarking options. I believe that Google's plan was definitely to slowly transition to a user-influenced search system. Also imagine searching for "ExxonMobil" and getting the first page full of links to exxposeexxon.com. The "dumber than thou" argument also underscores the fact that Google should not impose something that's so noisy and complicated on every user especially given its reputation for simplicity. Obviously, the ramifications of such a search model can be huge since the internet is getting more and more search-driven.
It was not too wise of Google to launch such a huge change directly in its most used service. Actually it's much worse of a trip-up than what facebook did by not involving its users when it launched its new interface. In case this was just an effort to collect a larger sample of usage data, Google should've informed the users that it will be temporary. This unacknowledged blooper from Google is certain to fuel the argument that Google is foraying into too many things than it can effectively focus. Since every product Google launches leverages at least some share of Google's impeccable search capability, a faultering step here can be disastrous. Will Google be able to maintain the small-firm approach that it had 10 years ago even as it has become the biggest "portal" to the web, given the mess in which Yahoo has submerged itself? The task is tough for sure.
As an aside, an SEO professional came out with a script to turn wiki on and off, which was kind of neat, had Google stuck to its earlier plan. Also read: Networkworld critical about Searchwiki
Update: As of 11 p.m. on November 22, SearchWiki has made a full-fledged comeback. Now that it's going to stay in one form or the other, you should read this awesome illustrated guide to SearchWiki entirely so that you get an idea of the do's and don'ts in a changed search environment. I maintain my stance that SearchWiki should be allowed to gradually graduate from a experimental release - there are too many jitters as of now. And I'm not happy that they removed the "Note this" feature from search. I used to love the ability to privately bookmark my searches. Give it back to me, Google!
Update (Nov. 24): To de-personalize your search, add the string "&hl=all" to the address bar once your search result comes up. It not only removes SearchWiki but also prevents your web history from influencing your search. Get your de-personalized Google search Firefox plug-ins here.
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