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Google Unveils SearchWiki, Customizable Search Results

Google has introduced a major interface change to their search results interface called SearchWiki. The search giant has implemented functionality that allows users to vote their search results up and down, as well as comment on each result.

The ultimate conceptual goal here is for search results to become increasingly dynamic and personalized. “We have been testing bits and pieces of SearchWiki for some time through live experiments, and we incorporated much of our learnings into this release,” Google explains. However, their is definitely a chance that SearchWiki could backfire (though unlikely).

While Google has unveiled the new feature to most users, the added functionality can be negatively shocking when dealing with such a critical part of people’s routine internet “workflows.” Perhaps a business owner can negatively comment on his competitor’s company (and search listing) resulting in lost sales and potential lawsuits. Also, many believe the far cries begging Google to increase people’s privacy options are not being heard or addressed with SearchWiki. As Google explains, “The changes you make only affect your own searches.” However, simply click on the “See all notes for this SearchWiki” link and you’ll be able to see what the rest of the community has to say about a particular search result.

Today we’re launching SearchWiki, a way for you to customize search by re-ranking, deleting, adding, and commenting on search results. With just a single click you can move the results you like to the top or add a new site. You can also write notes attached to a particular site and remove results that you don’t feel belong. These modifications will be shown to you every time you do the same search in the future. SearchWiki is available to signed-in Google users. We store your changes in your Google Account. If you are wondering if you are signed in, you can always check by noting if your username appears in the upper right-hand side of the page.

Even though the addition brings an incredibly dynamic environment to search, some might say that it’s perhaps too sensitive of an area for such a drastic change. Google claims the new functionality has been unveiled for all users, but some people are reporting that they haven’t seen anything thus far.

Google’s lead engineer, Amay, demonstrates a few ways to use SearchWiki.