Google Off the Boil and Lost at Sea.
Google answers questions but it is not in the business of providing solutions within the search platform. Well, that is not exactly how it works because Google is very good at what it does and their goals and aspirations moving forward are to provide its users with the best user experience that it is capable of doing. In doing so they generate a substantial income for their shareholders, so it is a win-win, for all concerned.
" In order to do that they have to know who you are, in order to enhance your experience they need to collect information."
Long story short;
Left the smartphone on top of the four-wheel drive, I don't know but if you are like me there is so much information on that phone, in fact, a scary amount of info. The realization that the phone is missing in action can be scary as well. Backtracking...... I found the phone it must have been a painful death. The battery was on the other side of the road the cover lodged in the fence the back cover smashed into two pieces the screen shattered. Poor little phone, it gave such good service and was part of my being.
Nothing for it, a new phone, I haven't had time to set it up as yet but started using it anyway.
This is where it gets interesting
Fired it up.
No sim card
No email entered
A phone that is not a phone, I used it as a device to connect via Wifi, at this conjuncture, there is no point of reference for Google someone is asking questions but there is no benchmark. Google was lost at sea, there ensued a cat and mouse game as Google did its utmost to locate, find out, provide and work out " who the what " was this entity that had accessed their platform.
Something to ponder
There was a variance in search results, nothing drastic just different as Google was working out the best way to answer. My user experience will be different to your user experience, Google crafts our individual user experiences around us. This is based on our interests, interactions our engagement and the purchases we make. To build that picture they collect detailed information about us in order to enhance our experience, the technology is wrapped around us as individuals.
As soon as we engage online information is being collected that enables platforms and businesses to market to us. It has become normalized over time and the majority of people accept it as part of being online.
In this instance, Google didn't know who I was so there was no point of reference for them to provide and enhance my user experience.
The thing that really struck me is that with each inquiry Google was doing it's utmost to provide relevant and up to date information that would satisfy my questioning.
The key is relevance.
The search engines are constantly striving to be relevant as technology advances so do their abilities.
In the middle are the majority of folks that are blissfully unaware of the processes that are taking place in the background, as long as we get answers to our questions then all is good.
For the marketers and content creators...............
Well taking a leaf out of Google's book of delivering and enhancing user experiences. Creating relevant content that answers the readers search inquires in an informative and timely manner could just rank way up there.
Especially if folks find what they are looking for and take some time to explore. A real win- win for all the stake holders, the search engine and the searcher and the content creator.
I Would be really interested and appreciative to listen to your thoughts on this one.
Alex
Recent Comments
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In today’s mobile world, our smartphones has become our lifeline. They contain some of our most important information not to mention photos that can not be replaced so I can hear and feel your pain Alex. Mishaps can and will happen. There are alternatives to backup your phone info. If you have an iOS device you can back your info up to the iOS Cloud. If you have an Android device you can back up your info to the Google cloud.
Jerome
That is so true Jerome, we have so much information on our phones, in fact, they have become an integral part of our businesses.
Thanks for sharing that information very helpful.
Not a nice experience Alex. As you say, poor little phone. It was working hard for you and with Google on it's back! Oh well, it's now at rest but not in the best way!
To lose the sim card is very troublesome. All those contacts lost. I'm sure you will find a way. I do hope so :)
thank you for your concern Valerie, it is in the workshop it can be rebuilt.
You have raised a very valid point all of us have smartphones these days especially if we are involved with online marketing. The information that is stored on those cards is amazing I know that I am a little slack when it comes to security. This experience has caused me to do a double take.
I wonder if there is an app or some cloud-based solution that will back up the data stored on sim cards, I think that it would be very useful. I know that we can find, lock or delete data on a lost or stolen phone.
Alex, I'm sure there must be an app or some other system to back up data on a sim card. I didn't know we have some control over data on a lost or stolen phone. But, as that is possible, there must be a backup system for sim cards. Something to be researched, or investigated, I believe!
It's great news that your phone can be rebuilt. I wasn't aware of that possibility.
Easy done Roger, it was good that you didn't, just makes you realize how important they have become in today's world.
If you lose your phone try this out,
https://myaccount.google.com/find-your-phone
Works a treat.
So what you're saying is, whatever your keyword is, in whatever your niche, write about THAT! Give them the info they are looking for! And a LOT of it!
Steve
That is a good way to put things, Steve, thank you for sharing quality rules the day on both sides of the fence, on one side for the folks creating content and on the other side for the folks that are rounding up that content for respective audiences.
Sometimes I think relevance is all we have -- other things change with google but our content relevance doesn't.
Well said Dianne, that is and can be the one thing that keeps us in the game and moving forward. The day we are not or for that matter striving to be relevant, I think impacts the businesses that we are trying to build.
The whole process tracks back to the content that is produced.
My condolences on the death of your phone!
Very interesting perspective...I often complain about Google 's intrusion into my life but, as you point out, without that the online experience is really limited. Could Google actually be our friend....I guess so..especially in this business.
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie, we are in an interesting position as marketers we are aware in the most part of what actually happens online.
Our relationship with Google can be what enhances our business, one party can not exist without the other. The online environment is continually changing to keep up with the play both sides need to remain relevant I guess.
I guess we are all in this together Sami, as marketers, it is the case of finding the best way to engage, being relevant to the needs of our targeted audiences can be the way to make real progress.
What a way to turn it into a brick Alex. Happened to me once too. I still remember seeing the plastic parts bouncing on the road in the rear view mirror!
Classic Mike, I like how you put that. I can visualize that one. They are resilient, yet fixing is not an option cheaper to buy a new phone.
Thanks for highlighting this critical topic we often forget about, Alex.
Google has an amazingly powerful influence on our lives, as they curate most information we get from the web. By working hard to enhance that 'user experience' they speed up and simplify much of what I do, and increase my reach and my constant education. Extreme power in my hands, and I'm grateful for it.
But, with great power comes great responsibility. I'm happy that Google chose an early focus on 'don't be evil...' in their decisions on how to impact us users and marketers. The question to ponder, though is how long they can keep that up. Power corrupts, as we all know. How much has it corrupted Google already, and when will that corruption get to the point where we can't avoid or ignore that 'evil'?
I hope your journey back to a place where you, your phone and Google are all coordinated again is a swift and painless one, Alex. I don't envy you that trip...
Cheers,
Steve
I enjoyed reading your perspective, Steve, I guess that everything is good when it is in balance. The interaction between the curator, the reader, and the creator works if things are in balance.
It will be definitely interesting to see how things evolve moving forward, as history has shown power does corrupt absolute, especially so.
As content creators, we need to remain faithful to our core objectives and provide the audiences we target with relevant and quality content.
The journey back is a very quick one.
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I'm sorry to hear about the phone. I had mine fall off the Jeep once also. I'll just say that Otter box covers work very well.
In a way your story about Google is almost scary if it is apparent that google search was noticeably different for the "new you" in their eyes.
Yet, you made a great point.