Lately, we lined a few of Google’s rationale for rating boards like Reddit and Quora so nicely within the Dialogue and Boards field for a lot of queries. Just some days in the past, we lined how I used to be unhappy to see Google rating some harmful and probably dangerous discussion board threads for health-related queries.

Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liason, posted feedback on a LinkedIn put up from Lily Ray defending the assertion he made on this subject. I am going to share all of them right here, as a result of I’m certain lots of you didn’t see them:

Catching up on this. I have been the one primarily responding to what you’ve got raised, so on this half:

“Their response is often some model of “nicely, we obtained lots of suggestions that customers like Reddit outcomes and append Reddit to the top of many queries”

That’s … nothing that I stated. I did not say we simply present content material on a regular basis from Reddit as a result of customers prefer it. I did not even say Reddit in any respect. I positively didn’t say we one way or the other append Reddit to the top of many queries. None of that’s, sorry, correct to what I stated. If another Googler stated it, please let me know — however I am fairly certain no different one has, both.

What I stated in abstract was:
* We present a Discussions and Boards unit if it appears related

* I perceive the issues about this showing for medical queries

* Aside from this, search engine optimization of us are typically pretty vocal in disliking seeing extra *discussion board* content material in our outcomes — however searchers discover it helpful for some issues

* Our rating programs are usually not excellent, and we’ll maintain enhancing them — together with any such suggestions, which is appreciated

That’s not that we one way or the other add Reddit to a question, a lot much less each question. That is not how the boards unit — that reveals content material from *many boards* works…..

To proceed, I additionally did not say we simply at all times present content material as a result of individuals identical to it. They do, at occasions — and it is helpful, at occasions, and we attempt to determine that out. But it surely’s not the identical as “they prefer it, so we at all times present it” which is what I’ve repeated followed-up on about. Similar to:

That is not what I stated and does not appear to select up the nuance in any respect in how I replied, sorry. I did not say “everybody likes discussion board content material due to this fact now we at all times present it!” Nor can we at all times present it, which is why once you raised this concern once more, I replied.

That reply was so lengthy that I’ve to separate it up right here, so individuals can simply learn the entire thing….

“I did perceive that time and concern. I did not say “as a result of customers all appear to love one thing, we present it no matter relevancy.” However let me take a swing at a few of these factors once more:

1) We wish to make sure that *any* content material we present in outcomes — together with discussion board content material — is related and helpful. The place reliability is essential, we have programs that work to floor any such info.

2) With the instance you identified, once more, I recognize the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve performed with earlier points like this which were raised — to the search group. Maybe our programs will change to indicate these much less usually for such queries. Maybe we’d do a greater job with messages / disclaimers if we do present a discussion board unit — “individuals listed below are sharing experiences however many may not be medical professionals” and so on. Boards most likely do have a task for individuals searching for info. Individuals struggling sicknesses, for instance, may wish to hear how persons are coping typically outdoors of potential therapies. I might anticipate we’ll maintain taking a look at the best way to enhance right here.

3) As for discussion board content material typically, lots of people do certainly prefer it. That does not imply we’re simply going to at all times present it if it isn’t related to a question — and once more, it is also not what I stated. However we present video content material, information content material, picture content material and so forth when our programs suppose that may be helpful to indicate. Discussion board content material is like that, too.

That brings me again to what I stated earlier than. I perceive the priority, recognize it, have raised it with the search group — and a few are already wanting additional at this. The aim, as at all times, is to see how we will additional enhance issues. Thanks for the suggestions.

The confusion right here is that what Google ranks now in these Dialogue and Discussion board bins are largely Reddit and Quora, so Danny does not must outright say Reddit or Quora, that’s what ranks 95% of the time. So I’m not certain why there must be clarification there.

There’s additionally this put up from Danny Sullivan on late Friday as nicely on X:

I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have never meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; persons are certainly taking a look at the best way to enhance right here.

To recap why I might hoped it would not been seen as dismissive….

“As for displaying discussion board content material in relation to medical queries, I stated I perceive the issues about that and have handed it alongside as one thing we’d take a look at extra.” X put up

“I can recognize the priority and situation, and I’ve handed that alongside to the rating group to see how we’d enhance the automated programs right here.” X put up

“With the instance you identified, once more, I recognize the priority there about surfacing discussion board content material so extremely in relation to medical queries. As I stated, I handed alongside that suggestions — as I’ve performed with earlier points like this which were raised — to the search group.” X put up

There’s extra of that. You’ll be able to undergo my replies. Saying I am passing suggestions alongside actually is not like “No, this does not matter.” It does get seen. Individuals are utilizing any such suggestions actively to grasp methods to enhance. It’s appreciated.

I am sorry my responses have come throughout as dismissive, if that is what you are referring to. I have never meant them to be, nor are they being dismissed. The suggestions has gone again; persons are certainly taking a look at the best way to enhance right here.

To recap why I might hoped it would not been seen as…

— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) April 12, 2024

After which there’s this put up on Reddit from about 5 days in the past from Danny Sullivan:

Reddit will not be at all times prioritized over different boards. [super vhs to mac adapter] I did this week, it goes Apple Help Neighborhood, MacRumors Discussion board and additional down, there’s Reddit. I additionally did [kumo cloud not working setup 5ghz] not too long ago (it is a nightmare) and it was the Netgear group, the SmartThings Neighborhood, GreenBuildingAdvisor earlier than Reddit. Associated to that was [disable 5g airport] which has Apple Help Neighborhood above Reddit. [how to open an 8 track tape] — actually, it was the YouTube movies that helped me most, however it’s the Tapeheads group that comes earlier than Reddit.

In your instance for [toyota tacoma], I do not even get Reddit within the high outcomes. I get Toyota, Automotive & Driver, Wikipedia, Toyota once more, three YouTube movies from totally different creators (not Toyota), Edmunds, a High Tales unit. No Reddit, which does not actually assist the notion of at all times desirous to drive site visitors simply to Reddit.

If I assume on the extra particular question you might need performed, possibly [overland mods for toyota tacoma], I get a YouTube video first, then Reddit, then Tacoma World at third — not close to the underside. So sure, Reddit is greater for that question — however it’s not first. It is also not at all times first. And typically, it isn’t even displaying in any respect.

Anyway – it appears Google is conscious of the problems many are expressing. It appears Google might make modifications based mostly on these points. How lengthy that may take is unknown. This stuff can take some time…

Discussion board dialogue at LinkedIn.