Articles tagged with Search Engines
Researchers analyzed 7,000 job-related queries and found that online job searches have a higher percentage of non-relevant returns (60%) compared to general web searches (50%). The study suggests that company web sites need re-design to highlight geographical information and use user-friendly terms for better search engine indexing.
Researchers aim to create a 'web of meaning' by developing languages and tools that make it easier for computers to understand web pages. By distributing ontologies, search engines can achieve more accurate and relevant results, especially in areas with no standard rules of searching.
A study analyzing 3 million records from Alta Vista in 2002 found that consumers who used the interface had fewer queries per session and used fewer terms per query. The researchers suggest that radio buttons can help with information overload, but widespread adoption is hindered by technical issues and lack of individual site use.
A study found that teenagers face challenges in accessing relevant health information online, with common barriers including poorly designed websites, lack of targeted content, and ineffective search strategies. To improve access, researchers suggest teaching better search skills and designing websites more tailored to users' needs.
Researchers analyzed over 450,000 web queries, finding half of users enter only one query with 54% viewing just one page of results. Site developers can improve odds by getting indexed by all search engines and crafting clear abstracts about their site's purpose.
A Stanford team has developed three techniques to speed up computing Google-style Web rankings, with speeds of up to five times faster than current methods. The techniques, including extrapolation, BlockRank, and Adaptive PageRank, can reduce computation time by 50-300% in realistic conditions.
Researchers found that removing query operators from searches on multiple engines resulted in similar top-ranked results. The 'or' operator was the only marker to significantly change results, while 'must appear' yielded identical results fewer times on MSN than Google and AOL.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University warn of automated web forms being exploited for mass unwanted catalogs and postal disruptions. They propose technological fixes to prevent such attacks, including altering online form coding and implementing human verification steps.
A new Ohio University study reveals that e-commerce has increased the value of used and rare books, with online sales accounting for a 12.5% increase in book sales. The study also found that prices for rare books have climbed, while common titles have seen stabilization or decrease in price.
A study by Ohio State University scholars found that 27% of Web pages listed correct answers to library reference questions, while 9% contained incorrect answers. The researchers suggest evaluating source credibility and supplementing with other resources for more accurate information.
A new study by NEC Research Institute reveals that search engines have decreased coverage to 16% of the publicly indexable web, with bias towards popular and commercial sites. The study also found that indexing can take months for new pages, affecting economic viability, scientific progress, and social decisions.