I've recently noticed that Google started to show results for queries like [.], [,], [:], [;], [#], [%], [@], [^], [)], [~], [|], ["], [<], [$]. When you search for [%], Google shows the results for [percent sign] and that happens irrespective of the interface language, so it's not a synonym generated by Google's algorithms.
Search for [:] and you'll get the results for [colon]. Most results are about the colon from the human anatomy and they're not relevant.
now google's next step is to adopt a wikipedia-esque searching by context. If I search [PC], am I searching for a [Personal Computer] or am I searching for [political correctness]? It would be nice to have that choice
ReplyDeletethey already do that mate
DeleteI tried it in google.co.ve (in Spanish) and although it recognizes the colon (:) results come unexpectedly, giving pages about the colon (intentine) and percentage, come to results in English.
ReplyDeleteAbout time Google realised there's punctuation in language!
ReplyDeleteNew Google Drive evidence on Google Docs: http://tecno-net.blogspot.com/2012/01/nueva-prueba-de-google-drive-en-google.html
ReplyDeletehttps://drive.google.com/robots.txt
Deletewww.drive.google.com redirecting to Google Docs
Deletehttp://tecno-net.blogspot.com/2012/01/el-dominio-de-google-drive-redirecciona.html
Google enhancements ... Good thing.
DeleteIt still doesn't know what is "€" ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is so that Google+ searches will return Google+ links. It has nothing to do with actually trying to improve search.
ReplyDeleteStill can't google %%. I have been trying to find out why people use "kill %%" rather than "kill %"
ReplyDeleteHaha thats pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteI very much doubt it's the case globally. I did notice *some* difference a few weeks ago. As an example I have noticed a difference with the "&". So some changes are happening.
ReplyDeleteBut searching for special characters would require re-indexing a whole lot and redoing search algorithms big time. In fact, try searching for punctuation marks plus words and you will soon see examples with no difference in the results.
Try http://bit.ly/yRnKBg
ReplyDeleteFor a few more details and how false rumors get spread please check out this post: http://bit.ly/Ao6kcZ
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that a lot of people building links on websites will sometimes use the [ ] symbols as a way of apparently bypassing onsite spam filters. Google may be including some symbols as a way to ferret out these apparent spam comments and links. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteMy [$0.02]
David
Sometimes they are. Sometimes I get really annoyed because I DON'T want any punctuation, I want a specific sentence.
ReplyDeleteIt should at least be an option. C'mon Google. You have the resources I know you do.
You couldn't preserve the comment when I went to change user?
ReplyDeleteGoogle is lazy. If Google wasn't so lazy they would include punctuation as an option. If I had a dime for every time I got frustrated because I go to search for something that's supposed to be one sentence and every result has punctuation like a question mark or a period in the middle I would be a rich man.