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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

GOOGLE HUMMINGBIRD


Google Inc. (GOOG) HummingBird Update! Boon Or Curse To Online Firms ?


Google hummingbird

Introduction of Hummingbird algorithm was one of the biggest change made by search engine giant Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in recent years. This change revolves around the nature by which people search more frequently. Hummingbird algorithm uses conversational searches instead of traditional keyword searches, to deliver search results that are more on point with what users are looking for. It also displays search content right on the search pages themselves, which makes it easier for users to find the required information.

Hummingbird is the “social search” component that Google has developed as a way of competing in the social search environment, particularly Open Graph search from Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), voice powered search by iPhone and android devices.

Humming Bird and Its Affects over Small Business Firms

Earlier, website rankings were based on keywords that online user generally search for; now people are looking for more specific search terms because of which generic results will be less prioritized and localized and specific search results will be ranked higher. Hummingbird update will result in shift of rankings and will provide opportunity for websites that didn’t have great results for generic terms. Keywords people use for search do not imply the actual things user is looking for.Therefore, it is important for all online businesses to update their online contents to reflect the actual need of user in real life.
Another striking feature of Hummingbird is location-based search result, if a user has registered location with Google, search results will be displayed according to user’s current location. Small business firms suffering from short sight tunnel vision are blessed in a way, provided they divert their attention to content part and are able to convince the humming-bird that their page is what users are looking for. Website content should cover as many meanings as possible for a particular product in their online store. As a result, content writing is going to be decisive factor for all online websites.
If we flip the darker side of coin, disastrous change in hummingbird algorithm is that search content is displayed right on search pages. If user is in search of information about Flipkart the result displayed has short content on right side of page, having summary about the online store. Now this might prevent users from clicking the Flipkart website as he/she might get required information by looking at side bar and website loses a visitor. Google is basically trying to keep visitor on their property longer and promote Google-only user experience. Instead of visiting a website for information, Google makes shorter version of data readily available. Although it is useful for users but can be decisive for business firms. Whenever possible Google tries to route one of its properties such as YouTube, Picasa, Google Play and displays as top results of search.


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