In an editorial, the New York Times recently called for regulation of Google’s search results. See, The Google Algorithm.
Ryan Singel of Wired reponds, noting that the Times Case for Gov Regulation of Google Search Is Weak.
Singel lists several reasons that the NYT suggestion is wrong-headed, and observes that
While the secret [Google algorithm] sauce remains secret, there’s plenty known. Rich content, inbound links from reputable sites, well-formatted pages and urls, and even page speed are all proven factors in ranking high in search results.
More to the point, Google doesn’t make its money from referring traffic to websites the way that say the shopping search engine TheFind does. It makes money from the ads that surround the so-called organic search results. Think of it as “Come for the free information and check out these offers from our partners.”
….the Times editorial board should channel its Google anxiety elsewhere. No one would win if government regulators got access to Google’s algorithms, except maybe Bing. Hell, it’s not even clear if there was an agency that would be qualified to actually understand it, if they saw it.
And if you still aren’t convinced, try a dose of Search Engine Land’s Danny Sullivan turning the tables on the argument by calling on the government to oversee the New York Times news algorithm.
In a world where government seeks to intervene nearly everywhere, the NYT editorial board entertains regulatory ambitions better forgotten.