The Deterioration of Google

The article discusses the decline of Google’s effectiveness as a search engine, particularly for independent publishers. Many independent media sites, including Giant Freakin Robot, have shut down due to a significant drop in traffic, largely attributed to changes in Google's search algorithms driven by machine learning. Publishers report that their content, which was previously successful, is now largely invisible in search results, leading to dire financial consequences. Despite efforts to communicate these issues to Google, the response has been dismissive, indicating a lack of concern for the struggles of smaller publishers. The article highlights that Google's algorithm has become increasingly opaque, with even its engineers unable to understand why certain content is being deprioritized. This situation is exacerbated by the monopolistic nature of Google, which continues to thrive regardless of the declining utility of its services. The author suggests that the tech industry's monopolies are likely to strengthen, further diminishing the prospects for independent publishers and the overall quality of search results.

- Independent publishers are facing severe declines in traffic due to changes in Google's search algorithms.

- Many sites have shut down, and those remaining are struggling to survive.

- Google's machine learning algorithms are failing to recognize valuable content, leading to a lack of visibility for smaller publishers.

- The situation reflects a broader issue of monopolistic practices in the tech industry, which may worsen over time.

- Google's indifference to the plight of independent publishers raises concerns about the future of diverse content online.