SES Chicago - December 7-11, 2009

October 20, 2006

Google Definitions In Dutch?

Threadwatch reported that a search on [what is executive search] in Google brings up a Google web definition result in Dutch. The question is why does a question asked in English, bring up an answer in a different language? The answer is because that is the only definition available in Google's index for that specific question. Still, is it more relevant to show an answer in a different language or not to show the answer at all?

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:13 AM | Permalink

January 29, 2006

Related Phrases Now Part of Google's Define: Feature

Philipp asks if a feature from Google that provides links to "related phrases" when you search for web-based definitions using "define:[foo]" is new. Nice catch P.L., not sure if it's new or a test (I'm checking) but it's something I haven't spotted before. Clicking a related phrase link runs another define: search for that specific phrase.

Danny recently posted about a UI test that offers refinement keywords on web results pages.

Examples: + Define:Google + Define:search engine + define:san francisco + Define:olympics In this case the related phrases seemed random. For example, why "1956 Olympics" but not "1976 Olympics"? Why "canada at the 2004 olympics" but not "Canada at the 2000 Olympics?

I also tried searching with personal names to see if the service would return other people who are/were related in one way or another.

Examples: + Define:"Danny Sullivan" or Define:Danny Sullivan Other search experts? Other race car drivers? Nothing.

+ Define:"Thomas Jefferson" Places and things relating to TJ are listed but individuals who are linked in some way (Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, etc.) are not.

+ Define:Peter Jackson An entry for the director of King Kong and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is provided but others like stars of the films, producers, writers, etc. are not listed.

Similar Services Yahoo I've noticed that for some time that Yahoo provides "Also try" links at the top of web results pages for some searches. Examples: + Chicago Bulls Clicking the more link provides this page of NUMEROUS suggestions. + Thomas Jefferson

Ask Jeeves The AJ Zoom feature launched last year (similar to what Teoma has offered for many years) offers the ability to narrow or broaden your search and in some cases also pulls out related names. + Chicago Bulls + Thomas Jefferson

+ MSN Search I tried searches for Chicago Bulls and Thomas Jefferson and did not spot any type of related search suggestions or search focus choices.

+ Gigblast offers Gigabits

+ Exalead offers related terms in the left hand column. This example shows related terms for the phrase "search engine marketing."

+ Clusty's dynamically generated clusters are available to help narrow and focus a result set and like the services from the other companies can also provide info discovery.

Posted by Gary Price at 12:50 PM | Permalink

June 4, 2005

Defining Google

From my "not major" but worth mentioning file.

I was doing some searching the other day at Google and happened to use the word "Google" in my query. I glanced over to the far right side of the results page where Google (and other engines) provide direct links to "definitions and more" via their new relationship with Answers.com. Btw, Answers.com is also a great specialty engine (aka "vertical") in its own right.

All of my search terms had "definition" links except one. Can you guess the one that didn't. Yes, it was Google. Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

Like I said a moment ago, Answers.com provides lots more than definitions (including Wikipedia content) so I was even more surprised not to see a "Google" definition hot link. If nothing else, I would think that at least a cross-reference to the word "googol" would appear. Nope. Yahoo also doesn't provide a true definition or info about the company but does offer several "did you mean" suggestions including the word googol.

Btw, if you're wondering, a direct search for Google at Answers.com does provide a result.

Also, a Google search does provide a definition and company info for Yahoo and MSN. (-:

On a related note, another issue that Google should look into is the lack of a "definition" links if you use the site: or other advanced syntax in your query. For example, a search for NIST ( National Institute of Standards and Technology) and provides "definition" links for both terms. However, if you limit your search to just .gov sites. They're gone.

Postscript: Someone suggested that I check to see how Google's "web definitions" defines the company. So, I ran a define:google search.

Here are a few of the web definitions:

+ "Search WWW Search ocwd.com"

+ "A Web search program that ranks Web pages in a list of hits by giving weight to the links that reference a specific page." Note: This definition is 5 years old and Google looks at more than links to rank pages. Btw, most other web engines also consider links in their relevance ranking.

+ "A relatively new search engine, though its speed and coverage are making it one of the most popular. It has no advertising, so pages are quick to open." Note: I'm not so sure how "new" Google is anymore and I think they have advertising. (-:

+ "Aroma Dough"

+ "Search the Edna database"

+ "YAHOO AOL MSN"

Posted by Gary Price at 12:33 PM | Permalink

April 6, 2005

Google Definitions Goes Multilingual

The Google Definitions service is now providing word definitions in languages in other than English, according to the Google Blog. The feature is described here. Exactly what additional languages are now being covered isn't said. Note that Google Definitions are generated automatically by Google and a completely different service from the definition links it provides to Answers.com -- the [definition] link that appears in the blue reverse bar at the top right-hand side of search results pages, next to the query count number. More on that here.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:57 AM | Permalink

January 20, 2005

Answers.com Now Supplying Dictionary Definitions and More to Google

Google is slowly switching from its long-standing use of Dictionary.com definitions to Answers.com definitions. The migration began on Jan 18. Some may still see Dictionary.com definitions, but this example shows how Answers.com material is coming into play. Why the change? "We're always experimenting with new services to gauge whether they are useful to users," said Google spokesperson Nate Tyler.

What does this mean for the researcher in terms of results? + Both Answers.com and Dictionary.com supply results from the The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. The only difference is that the edition Answers.com uses has a 2003 copyright date. + Answers.com also offers free access to an audio pronounciations (click on the speaker icon) of terms. Dictionary.com charged for this service. + Answers.com pages can provide you with more than just a dictionary definition. You'll also find encyclopedia entries, translations, and content from other ready reference tools. Here's a complete list of the sources included in their database.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that a9 has offered Answers.com content since it launched last year.

Posted by Gary Price at 9:17 AM | Permalink

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