Google Onebox - Google
onebox is a search engine concept that tries to provide a "Universal search" on the Web search page of Google
results, including results from different specialized categories such as Google News, Maps and Google Video, and
special results such as
Google Local Business Results, The name
comes from the idea that one search box or search data entry field should provide results from multiple sources. It
is an attempt to implement a "universal search" that provides all kinds of results on a single page.
A discussion of onebox from Google's point of view is here.
The implementation leaves much to be desired. The fact is, that the first few listings of any kind are going to get most
of the clicks, so if a good listing has been pushed down by a Onebox result, it is going to be consigned to oblivion,
just because it happened to be about a local business, and the Local Business Results appear at the top.
The second problem is that the appearance of these Onebox search categories is arbitrary. [website design perth] does
not currently (October 2008) produce a Local Business Search onebox for Perth, Australia, but [web design Perth] does
produce a onebox.
The third problem is that the content of the onebox searches can be arbitrary or even objectionable. The listings in
Local Business Search do not necessarily represent the best businesses of a kind in the area. They are only the ones who
bothered to register for the special local business search. They will get all the traffic.
Google's Search Result
Quality
has been compromised. Some searches for geographical regions or countries generate a onebox with map listings for
the area in question, while others do not.
Searches for some keywords generate a "Video Results" box that is arbitrarily planted in the middle of the page,
pushing down the other results. Videos that Google shows about political subjects are often objectionable and attract
racist comments.
This situation may change as Google learns to adjust its algorithms.
Ami Isseroff
October 2, 2008
Note - Definitions of Search Engine
Optimization terms are based on inferences from common usage and definitions given by other sources. Conclusions about
search engine behavior are based on understanding of the behavior of the most popular search engines. Both are subject
to error or may change. Search engine company management may define or use a term or set or change any policy in any way
they see fit, and may make these definitions and specifications public or not. These decisions and definitions are
beyond our control. Notice: Copyright
All materials are copyright 2008 by Ami Isseroff. All rights reserved. These pages may not be reproduced in any
form in electronic or printed media without express written permission from the author.
SEO Glossary
