Keeping up with Google

07/12/09 posted by Liz Niland

In the battle of Google vs News Corp, an early advantage has been notched in the Murdoch team’s favour. Google have announced changes to their First Click Free system, giving publishers the power to choose how much can be given away to users. Previously, Google News would allow users to access an article via the newspaper’s website but would prevent further unrestricted access. According to Google though, some users abused the system, freely clicking in and out to see unlimited “paid” content. The new method will give the access power to the publisher, leaving it up to them how they curb users who attempt to excessively access content freely. Whether it provides a good enough solution for concerned publishers is yet to be seen.

Another recent Google development is a further level of search customisation. On the back of Dashboard’s release, Google are now putting into public practice the information they’ve long been collecting about users. The kicker for many now though is that even if you don’t have a Google account, your search results will be customised - by the use of a 180-day anonymous cookie deposited on your computer. You can opt out of the customisation (whether you’re logged in or not) but it’s not stopping Google from adding to the pile of information it already has.

While some information stored by Google can be a little creepy, the expansion of Street View to include the Pompeii ruins is just downright interesting. While it’s obviously better to see the relics with your own eyes, checking it out via your computer screen is definitely cheaper than the airfare.