Google Caffeine Is Here!

Google has just released a 'beta" version of its new search engine, code named Caffeine. Aptly named! Web designers and SEO specialists will be drinking plenty of late night coffee seeking to master its ranking methodologies! In its official blog, Google made the following statement regarding its new engine:

"For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Google's web search. It's the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions. The new infrastructure sits "under the hood" of Google's search engine, which means that most users won't notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so we're opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback."

After a brief test of Caffeine vs the current Google, I can sense a refinement in the search results that may be short-circuiting some of the currently popular SEO tactics. That's a good thing. I applaud Google for seeking to improve the engine rather than just a overhaul of the graphics and marketing which for now appears to be Microsoft Bing's strategy.

Will Google's BMW like approach to search continue to prevail over Microsoft's Cadillac Escalade like cushy graphics in Bing? Let's see what the market decides!

Follow this link to try Google Caffeine.

Bing! Will Great Web Design Win Out?

In it's new search engine Bing.com, Microsoft has one of the best designed products it has ever produced. No other product in the Microsoft stable has as appealing an interface and ease of use. I found a recent focus group based study that tested Bing vs Google usability. Interestingly, the group overwhelmingly preferred the web design of Bing. In particular, they liked the welcoming design and organization of Bing, soundly beating Google in those two areas. Yet, none were moved to switch from Google to Bing.

That is in line with my own feelings. As a web designer, I give Microsoft high marks for the interface design of Bing. The compelling photos and home page content really draw you in. In fact, I will usually visit Bing once a day just to see the newest home page photo and trivia links. However, I personally do not feel that it matches Google in search results. Also, Google is a proven performer that also offers a host of other products that I use. Bing cannot match that . . . at least for now.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future.‎ Will Bing influence Google's interface design, or will Microsoft develop other complementary applications to bolster Bing's appeal? At the very least, the competition will be fun to watch!

A Web Designer's Thoughts on Bing

All the web pundits are trying to forecast the potential success or failure of Microsoft's new search engine Bing. I'm not smart enough to do that. I'm just a web designer. So, as a designer, I will share my thoughts on the "look and feel" of Bing.

I like the design of Bing. In fact, I would consider this the best designed product to ever come out of Microsoft. The home page offers an image a day that is truly interesting, and informative in a appealing way. There is a playfulness in the presentation that adds a bit of fun to the search process. I often find myself stopping to learn more about the cover photo or being distracted by something seen on a page during a search. The overall presentation is both clean and colorful, and makes excellent visual application of current web coding 'tricks of the trade.'

Comparing Google to Bing is like comparing a performance oriented BMW to the plusher Cadillac CTS. Google is pure performance with little fluff, Bing is a plush luxury vehicle with some performance enhancements. For now, Google is my preference for raw results. However, I am keeping a close eye on Bing, visiting at least once a day. The search engine race has suddenly become interesting!