Google Get “Caffeine” Buzz

Google’s latest effort in search technology, “Caffeine”, could change the way it ranks websites in its results. This new implementation is being referred to as the ‘next-generation architecture for Google’s web search’.

For those in or dependent upon the SEO industry, Google suggests that Caffeine could make an impact on search and how companies conduct their search engine optimization. It is unclear, however, if the impact is going to be in favor of the SEO wizards who have mastered the mysterious art of climbing up the top of Google’s search results.

Currently, Google’s Caffeine is in the early stages of implementation where they are trying to “push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions,” according to Google’s official blog. This new infrastructure ‘sits under the hood’ of Google, which means that most searchers won’t even be able to tell the difference between the pre- and post-Caffeine Google.

However, any savvy web developers and searchers will notice a few differences, which has Google opening up for feedback. It may be too early to make any changes, but it isn’t a bad idea for web developers and other SEO wizards to research how their keywords will be affected by the new way of ranking. In fact, Google is encouraging folks to check out Caffeine in action, at http://www2.sandbox.google.com.

The only visible difference from this test page and Google’s current homepage is the URL. Google is asking for feedback on the differences between their current search results and the new system. They are especially interested in higher-level feedback, such as ‘this specific site should or shouldn’t rank for this query’ and ‘these sites rank better or worse in Caffeine’. Google engineers will be reading the feedback and making the necessary adjustments.

Unfortunately, they won’t have the capacity to respond. Google recommends conducting a search with Caffeine’s test site. At the bottom of the search page there will be a link that says “Dissatisfied? Help us improve.”

Click on the link and type your feedback in the text box, including the word “caffeine” somewhere in your text.