Google's Caffeine: A jolt to search rankings?
One of the largest behind-the-scenes updates to Google's search technology in three years is under way, as the company reworks its computing muscle.
On Monday evening, Google quietly began soliciting feedback for "Caffeine," a new system for Web searches that is being tested completely separately from the live search results currently found through Google.com.
Google makes almost constant changes to its search algorithms and infrastructure, but it hasn't made an update of this magnitude since 2006, said Matt Cutts, a principal engineer at Google who is considered one of the driving forces behind its approach to search.
Think of Caffeine as a redeployment of the computing network that Google uses to connect searchers and results. "We want to make a system that is more robust, that can do more--and do more faster," Cutts said.
Google said it is not changing the user interface as part of the Caffeine update, nor does the update affect the ranking of ads on the search engine. So the average user trying to find a new digital camera or directions to the restaurant likely won't be surprised by how the results are presented.
But they might notice that things have gotten a little faster: speed is a side benefit of the decision to focus on improving how documents are indexed with the new update, Cutts said.
Those responsible for search engine optimization at their companies or clients, however, are just starting to get busy. The changes to Google's indexing methods will likely have an impact on the way Web sites are presented on the extremely important first page of search results, hence the need for testing and feedback.
For example, search blogs such as SearchEngineWatch.com noted that Wikipedia results seem to have been pushed a little further down the page in the sandboxed search system.
That's not necessarily indicative of how the results would be presented, once Caffeine goes live, but it is evidence that the update will require those dependent on Google to drive traffic to their sites to study the changes. For now, Google is not sharing many details regarding how it reworked its back-end architecture and indexing process with Caffeine.
Cutts said the changes that are coming along with Caffeine have been in the works for months, implying that the launch of Microsoft's Bing and Yahoo's subsequent decision to finally pull the plug on its own search efforts had little to do with the planning for Caffeine. But it does illustrate that while search is a constantly evolving product, serious infrastructure updates are needed to keep the trains running on time. This was perhaps what Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz had in mind as she reviewed what it would cost to just maintain Yahoo's current search commitment, let alone a renewed effort to gain share: Yahoo expects to save a ton in capital expenditures as a result of the outsourcing deal.
Google designs much of its own infrastructure, developing its own servers and piling them together in modular shipping containers. It's not clear whether any changes are being made to the basic Google server itself, but Cutts observed on his own blog that "Caffeine is a radical revamp (more like a complete rewrite) of large parts of our system," which may entail more than just updating the search index.
The Caffeine preview can be found here, and feedback is encouraged, both to Google, and right on this page.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
They dangle a little cash and only a few take it.
Microsoft need to pay people in order to gain an extra percent.
How about innovating and inventing.
That is why Google doesn't need to pay people to use their stuff.
It is just better.
Google just uses your personal information for their own marketing purposes. If your company stores data in their systems, this too is examined by Google and any other third party companies they choose to share it with for marketing/advertising purposes. Not exactly 'better' in my opinion.
Hmm, I'm not sure I'd trust any rapist, but if I had a choice between the agoraphobic rapist and the public stalking rapist, I know which one I'd pick.
Microsoft did innovate with Bing what are you talking about?
@Dalkorian
Really? Got any sources?
Sure, you don't get anymore spam, or people at your door trying to sell you parrots when companies share your details. So hey, let's all put up big signs giving out our private info, but kindly ask people not to talk to about it. Just ask them to do what they want, use it and manipulate it how they want, without bothering you.
Like M$ doesn't do that with its Live search and now Bing and Yahoo? you be a fool if you think other wise. Yahoo also was caught red handed with exposing your Yahoo searches not long ago.
There is no privacy on search engines.
Neal Saferstein
http://nealsaferstein.com
but again Caffeine will change the way that content is picked by Google, we are ready are you?
Please, they feeling the pressure, not just about BING, but the fact that people are becoming more aware of their underlying tactics to keep user's information for years and link it to the users actual IP address, and I don't mean, the general IP given by your broadband provider.
Infringement on Privacy rights - Anyone ?
I already switch my whole family to BING.
Faster does not necessarily translate to better.
- by Web_Developer- November 9, 2009 10:55 PM PST
- My name is James.. I was just testing Google caffeine for search results and got this message seems to be great news? I think the new Google is incredibly faster and has more accurate search results.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(25 Comments)http://www.google.com/errors/caffeine/unavailable.html
We appreciate all the feedback from people who searched on our Caffeine sandbox.
Based on the success we?ve seen, we believe Caffeine is ready for a larger audience. Soon we will activate Caffeine more widely, beginning with one data center. This sandbox is no longer necessary and has been retired, but we appreciate the testing and positive input that webmasters and publishers have given.