The feature no longer seems to work: the "block" link is no longer displayed, the preferences page doesn't mention the feature and the blocked domains still appear in Google's results. The page that allows you to manage blocked sites is still available.
"When you're signed in to Google, you can block a specific website from appearing in your future search results. This is a helpful option when you encounter a site that you don't like and whose pages you want to remove from your future results. If you change your mind, you can unblock the site at any point," explains a help center page.
Update: Google's Matt Cutts says that this could be a temporary issue. "The right people are looking at what needs to happen to re-enable this, but it might take some time."
in my personal experience, if the blocked site is the top result for a query, google tends to show it irrespective of the block status. this has confused me for a long time. but i am not seeing the blocked domains other than the top 1-2-3 position.
ReplyDeleteI have a site blocked, and a pretty loaded search that would bring the site up. Still blocked for me.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I see something at the top of my search that says:
ReplyDeleteYou blocked 3 results Show blocked results Manage blocked sites
Hey, take this with a grain of salt because I had a quick passing conversation with someone about this, but I believe this is temporary. The right people are looking at what needs to happen to re-enable this, but it might take some time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for addressing this, Matt, it's a valuable feature to me.
ReplyDeleteGlad someone noticed this, this features is really important to me because it means I don't have to see anything from TvTropes when searching for random subjects. Having that site turn up as the first result when searching for historical things makes me want to slam my head into my keyboard.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it may take some time because Google is currently focused on abusing their search monopoly to promote Google+ content while suppressing more relevant content from Facebook, Twitter, et al.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like a good idea, but I noticed seeing blocked sites for sites I never would have blocked, including my own pages.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.washington security systems
ReplyDeleteIts working for me. Tested with blocking few sites. This is true personalized search :)
ReplyDeleteYes, today many online sites and services are protesting the impending Internet Anti-Piracy legislation that the MPAA and RIAA are lobbying for congress to pass. The english language Wikipedia site is also down for the day, and other sites are either going to be down, or restrict use in some way.
ReplyDeleteIt hasnt worked for me for at least the last week. Still not as of right now 1/19/2012 3:00
ReplyDeleteAnnoying as hell, because I HATE HATE HATE ask.yahoo.com "answers" in my search results, because it's usually VERY WRONG information submitted by dumb 12 year olds.
I too have this problem. I would like it back, I commonly block half-assed blogs that barely give me information but for whatever reason are top in Google results.
ReplyDeleteConcur, it's annoying. Have switched to yahoo and bing in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteIt kept me from having to read through sites which had "regurgitated content." I'm back to doing this again, which is just frustrating.
Hi - my blocked sites keep reappearing!! Can anyone help me with this?
ReplyDeleteDx
This is something I miss desperately. Google's search results are getting less and less relevant.
ReplyDeleteThis was the feature that got me to move off of Bing and back to Google. I do not ever, never, ever, not once, ever want to see any results from Experts-Exchange.com.
ReplyDelete