Google Lost The Plot

New research shows what most users already know:

https://searchengineland.com/google-search-less-useful-survey-452700

  • 76% said that more than a quarter of Google Search shopping results appear to “be sponsored or promoted.” Only 14% described these sponsored or promoted results as “very helpful.”
  • 42% said Google and search engines are becoming less useful.
  • 55% said they get information from their community more than online search platforms.
  • 52% said they use AI chatbots or alternative platforms (e.g., TikTok) for information instead of Google.
  • 66% said the quality of information is deteriorating, making it difficult to find reliable sources.

Everyone knows Google’s search results are worse than ever. And its not because Google cannot produce great search results, its that they don’t want to. Its not lucrative enough. When the priority is to make ever more money at the expense of user experience, you’ve lost the plot. I’d love to spend this post focused only on the evils of financialization and the inevitable doom-loop it produces.

The simple question is, why not just do what you do well? We went from “Do no evil”, to “Do evil for profit”. Its no wonder that younger generations are disappointed – angered – by Wall Street. Must everything of value be sacrificed for MORE money?

Speaking for the advertiser, the feeling is the same. My clients are ever more disappointed with the results of their ad spend. We spend more and get less. No wait! We get more spam email asking “Take our survey. How is Google Ads working for you?” No agency is going to answer honestly because there is a suspicion that your honesty won’t change anything but will get you on a black-list. As in cancelled. No Agency can afford that.

I did and look where it got me.

Unfortunately this post offers no consolation. Google is too big to change for the better. Search results satisfaction for both use and advertiser will continue to nose-dive until attitudes improves.

The alternatives are already here. AI search is progressing at lightning speed, but the ability to turn those into advertising opportunities is not progressing. Im not a lawyer, so my guess is that Google has the advertising mechanisms monopolized, leaving little room for those new upstarts.