The real time revolution that has been shifted into another gear by Google’s announcements regarding real time search and the world’s most important search engine is enticing. It is enticing to think that there will be information available as things happen. We can get news as things are happening. We no longer need to wait for some news outlet to report on what is happening. We can get as it is happening.
Sounds fun right. Whoa there big fella! Just take a look at the ‘information’ that is coming across the ‘real time’ wire about Tiger Woods’ latest issue. Good luck trying to decipher fact from fiction on that one.
What are some likely outcomes of the initial real time push?
- Real good data – Yes there will be some great information that will make it to allof us in record time. No doubt and that can be a good thing.
- Real bad data – Misinformation, both intended and unintended, will be readily available. There is a pretty decent chance that inaccuracies will occur as well as planted misinformation as well to keep people off track. Sound devious? Well, some people are quite devious so they will manipulate the information.
- Real snap judgments – The real time web is taking the time tested ’24 hour rule’ (you know it, take 24 hours to respond to new information so it can thought through thoroughly) and putting it to the test. What about the generation that will grow up knowing everything as it happens all the time. Trouble looms.
- Real important to think before acting – People are competitive. Now there will be a rush to be the first in the real time world to report on everything. Expect some chaos, some good results and some horrible results (from bad information that destroys people to actual physical harm because of this need). You remember the whole 30 minute pizza delivery debacle? Multiply that by a lot. Yikes.
So these are just some real time thoughts that have nothing to do with any hard data or facts. It’s my thoughts. You have the choice to believe or not believe. At least you took the time to get to the end of this post. You just spent more time thinking about this than many have about ‘current events’ of this day.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Agreed! I think that “grain” of salt we are supposed to take with information just became a salt shaker full. Getting information quickly – especially in emergency situations or the like is great, but you have to really be sure that that source can be trusted if you need to rely on that information.
Frank is it just me or are you seeing Twitter results in Google celeb and branded searches primarily? It is not like I am seeing them for “cheap dvd players”.
Jaan – Not just you. In fact, I am cautioning people to take some time to determine if there particular vertical will merit this kind of search treatment. I suspect that many b to b plays will have very little real change in the results until they catch on to the social media train.
Heck, there is still supposedly 40% of small businesses that don’t have a web site yet.
Being in the industry we have to take care not to assume that the rest of the world sees these events like we do or if they see them at all. How many Google users know anything about being opted in for personalized search? Not many percentage wise.
As with all of this we will need to play it by ear and determine the right time and place to apply the knowledge the industry provides.
Thanks for coming by, Jaan.
“How many Google users know anything about being opted in for personalized search? Not many percentage wise.”
LOL, most of the world doesnt understand why someone in California see’s different rankings than someone in NY.
.-= Jaan Kanellis´s last blog ..Google Living Stories? =-.