It’s good to see Google put some of that machine learning technology to use where it can help search results become more relevant. Natasha Lomas:
When a search engine makes like an oracle of truth — by using algorithms to select and privilege a single answer per user generated question — then, well, bad things can happen.
Translation: Sometimes Google’s search results suck.
Like your oracle informing the world that women are evil. Or claiming president Obama is planning a coup. Or making all sorts of other wild and spurious claims.
Sometimes I Google with a question and the first search result is a website article or forum which asks the same question. Why doesn’t Google know I’m looking for an answer instead of a similar question?