Google and Yahoo Dueling for Personal Search
Both Yahoo and Google have announced new upgrades to their technology that allow for users to save their personal search history and use it as a reference for the future. Both services allow you to save links to sites you found in previous searches. Yahoo’s tool also allows you to save a cached version of the page if you want in your personal history. Yahoo’s tool also allows you to upload your personal bookmarks to include in your personal search area.
Google’s service can be activated if you are a Google member (use GMail, Google Answers, or Google Groups). Once you activate the beta service, Google begins keeping track of your personal search history.
The implication for marketers with these technologies is huge. You can’t assume that everyone searching is seeing the same thing anymore. Searchers could be relying on their personal search results or the basic search functions at Yahoo and Google. Marketers are going to have to strive to perform well in natural search results and also be compelling enough for people to remember and access in the future. It means that the basics of SEO are as important as ever.
