Google Introduces ‘Preferred Results’ Feature
By Anna Johnson on January 20th, 2009Google is beta testing a new feature that allows Google search engine users to establish a set of preferred sites. Then, based on those preferences, Google will favor those sites when returning search results.
In its explanation of the new feature, Google gives some examples for how you might use ‘Preferred sites’. For example, you can add sites you trust for certain types of information, such as Kikabink News for Internet marketing news 
Already the new feature has rumors swirling that it’s all part of an agenda to incorporate the lists into the general search engine algorithm.
Whether or not this is how Google intends to integrate a ‘popularity’ measure into its search engine, this is certainly not the first time it has considered doing so.
As previously reported in Kikabink News, Google has previously beta-tested a Digg-like popularity index with a select number of Google users.
The new feature seems pretty useful to me… but just read the ‘terms and conditions’ when and if you sign up for it. If you’re concerned about Google using your lists for other purposes, this may NOT be right for you.
Sources: Ed Oswald, “Google to Give ‘Preferred’ Sites Prominence in Results,” Technologizer, January 19, 2009, Google, “About Preferred Sites”
