Lately, we lined a few of Google’s rationale for ranking forums like Reddit and Quora so nicely within the Dialogue and Boards field for a lot of queries. Only a few days in the past, we lined how I used to be unhappy to see Google rating some dangerous and potentially harmful discussion board threads for health-related queries.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liason, posted comments on a LinkedIn put up from Lily Ray defending the assertion he made on this subject. I am going to share all of them right here, as a result of I’m positive a lot of you didn’t see them:
Catching up on this. I have been the one primarily responding to what you have raised, so on this half:
“Their response is normally some model of “nicely, we bought lots of suggestions that customers like Reddit outcomes and append Reddit to the tip of many queries”
That’s … nothing that I stated. I did not say we simply present content material on a regular basis from Reddit as a result of customers prefer it. I did not even say Reddit in any respect. I positively didn’t say we one way or the other append Reddit to the tip of many queries. None of that’s, sorry, correct to what I stated. If another Googler stated it, please let me know — however I am fairly positive no different one has, both.
What I stated in abstract was:
* We present a Discussions and Boards unit if it appears related
* I perceive the considerations about this showing for medical queries
* Aside from this, search engine optimization people are usually pretty vocal in disliking seeing extra *discussion board* content material in our outcomes — however searchers discover it helpful for some issues
* Our rating techniques usually are not excellent, and we’ll hold bettering them — together with the sort of suggestions, which is appreciatedThat isn’t that we one way or the other add Reddit to a question, a lot much less each question. That is not how the boards unit — that exhibits content material from *many boards* works…..
To proceed, I additionally did not say we simply at all times present content material as a result of individuals similar to it. They do, at occasions — and it is helpful, at occasions, and we attempt to determine that out. Nevertheless it’s not the identical as “they prefer it, so we at all times present it” which is what I’ve repeated followed-up on about. Similar to:
That is not what I stated and would not appear to select up the nuance in any respect in how I replied, sorry. I did not say “everybody likes discussion board content material due to this fact now we at all times present it!” Nor will we at all times present it, which is why while you raised this concern once more, I replied.
That reply was so lengthy that I’ve to separate it up right here, so individuals can simply learn the entire thing….
“I did perceive that time and concern. I did not say “as a result of customers all appear to love one thing, we present it no matter relevancy.” However let me take a swing at a few of these factors once more:
1) We need to be sure that *any* content material we present in outcomes — together with discussion board content material — is related and helpful. The place reliability is essential, we have systems that work to floor the sort of data.
2) With the instance you identified, once more, I recognize the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve finished with earlier points like this which have been raised — to the search group. Maybe our techniques will change to point out these much less typically for such queries. Maybe we would do a greater job with messages / disclaimers if we do present a discussion board unit — “individuals listed below are sharing experiences however many won’t be medical professionals” and many others. Boards in all probability do have a task for individuals in search of data. Individuals struggling sicknesses, for instance, would possibly need to hear how persons are coping typically exterior of potential therapies. I would anticipate we’ll hold taking a look at the way to enhance right here.
3) As for discussion board content material typically, lots of people do certainly prefer it. That does not imply we’re simply going to at all times present it if it isn’t related to a question — and once more, it is also not what I stated. However we present video content material, information content material, picture content material and so forth when our techniques suppose that is likely to be helpful to point out. Discussion board content material is like that, too.
That brings me again to what I stated earlier than. I perceive the priority, recognize it, have raised it with the search group — and a few are already trying additional at this. The purpose, as at all times, is to see how we will additional enhance issues. Thanks for the suggestions.
The confusion right here is that what Google ranks now in these Dialogue and Discussion board bins are principally Reddit and Quora, so Danny would not have to outright say Reddit or Quora, that’s what ranks 95% of the time. So I’m not positive why there must be clarification there.
There may be additionally this put up from Danny Sullivan on late Friday as nicely on X:
I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have not meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; persons are certainly taking a look at the way to enhance right here.
To recap why I would hoped it would not been seen as dismissive….
“As for exhibiting discussion board content material in relation to medical queries, I stated I perceive the considerations about that and have handed it alongside as one thing we would have a look at extra.” X post
“I can recognize the priority and situation, and I’ve handed that alongside to the rating group to see how we would enhance the automated techniques right here.” X post
“With the instance you identified, once more, I recognize the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve finished with earlier points like this which have been raised — to the search group.” X post
There’s extra of that. You may undergo my replies. Saying I am passing suggestions alongside actually is not like “No, this does not matter.” It does get seen. Individuals are utilizing the sort of suggestions actively to know methods to enhance. It’s appreciated.
I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have not meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; persons are certainly taking a look at the way to enhance right here.
To recap why I would hoped it would not been seen as…
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) April 12, 2024
After which there may be this put up on Reddit from about 5 days in the past from Danny Sullivan:
Reddit just isn’t at all times prioritized over different boards. [super vhs to mac adapter] I did this week, it goes Apple Help Neighborhood, MacRumors Discussion board and additional down, there’s Reddit. I additionally did [kumo cloud not working setup 5ghz] lately (it is a nightmare) and it was the Netgear group, the SmartThings Neighborhood, GreenBuildingAdvisor earlier than Reddit. Associated to that was [disable 5g airport] which has Apple Help Neighborhood above Reddit. [how to open an 8 track tape] — actually, it was the YouTube movies that helped me most, but it surely’s the Tapeheads group that comes earlier than Reddit.
In your instance for [toyota tacoma], I do not even get Reddit within the prime outcomes. I get Toyota, Automotive & Driver, Wikipedia, Toyota once more, three YouTube movies from totally different creators (not Toyota), Edmunds, a Prime Tales unit. No Reddit, which does not actually assist the notion of at all times eager to drive visitors simply to Reddit.
If I assume on the extra particular question you may need finished, perhaps [overland mods for toyota tacoma], I get a YouTube video first, then Reddit, then Tacoma World at third — not close to the underside. So sure, Reddit is greater for that question — but it surely’s not first. It is also not at all times first. And generally, it isn’t even exhibiting in any respect.
Anyway – it appears Google is conscious of the problems many are expressing. It appears Google might make modifications primarily based on these points. How lengthy that may take is unknown. These items can take some time…
Discussion board dialogue at LinkedIn.
