The limits of an algorithm

BungeeBones · 12-21-2007, 09:54 AM

As we all know search engines run by algorithms and directories are, for the most part, human reviewed. It is the classic "man vs. machine" issue that has been faught since the dawn of the industrial revolution and is the essence of a host of sci-fi movies such as the Terminator and The Matrix.

Here is a real life example of the limits of algorithms.

I added Adsense ads to my link exchange/directory site at [link removed]. The ads correctly post relevant ads on the home page but the same ads don't work on the sign up pages [link removed].

It places ads for "bounce houses" lol. I know, I know, change the name and that won't happen but something has to be said for human attributes like branding, catchy phrases etc that machines just will never understand. Know what I mean Mr Spock?

As we all scramble to get our pages to conform to what Google can pick up are we then all just becoming speakers of some new language called "Googl-ish" or something? See my article [link removed].

Anyway - check it out. And please... beam me up Scotty!

JamieJelly · 12-21-2007, 09:59 AM

rather than waste hours, maybe days of your life philosophically musing the 'man vs. machine' debate and drawing parallels with your own struggle to get relevant adsense ads on your site, why not use Google Adsense section targeting tags to emphasise parts of your HTML to Google?

https://www.google.com/adsense/suppo...n&answer=23168

BungeeBones · 12-21-2007, 10:07 AM

Ahhhh, thanks for the link. But the "fix" just confirms my point I think. There is a limit to what algorithms can do. I don't think my musings are a "waste" since one concern of many people who start or operate directories is how relevant they are to the modern internet and their relationship to search engines. I think knowing the limits of algorithms is the very foundation of SEO and is the key to "NOT wasting time with what would otherwise be fruitless SEO tactics. And it all is a moving target of course.

But I did save the link and will likely use it in the future but for now I'll just let the ad try to sell "bouncy houses" from my website. I think it's worth it for the entertainment value alone. :-)

stone · 09-27-2008, 06:43 AM

Bungee, I could't find any ads.

How To Get A Free Widget Web Directory? .... missing page.