Google has recently added a new feature to their bourgeoning search engine, SearchWiki!

SearchWiki is a dynamic tool that allows users to manipulate the positioning of results on their search inquires. With a simple click of a button users can add notes or comments and rearrange results.

Users can move their favorite sites to the top of the page or include a site that does not show up in the results. Users can also remove results they think don’t belong on the page.

The changes that are made only affect the users searches. Whenever the user is signed into their Google account their altered search results will show up for identical search inquires. Other Google users in the community can view the changes and comments users make. An official statement from Google states:

The changes you make only affect your own searches. But SearchWiki also is a great way to share your insights with other searchers. You can see how the community has collectively edited the search results by clicking on the “See all notes for this SearchWiki” link. See the Link

From a Search Engine Optimization standpoint this new feature strikes an interesting question. What will Google do with all the data collected from user generated rankings and notes? Will this information affect search rankings? And if they do will SEO firms be able to take advantage of this feature?

Google is a very innovative firm and it is in their best interest to have relevant items returned in searches. We have seen how user generated search results can have a profound affect on the integrity of results think DMOZ.

Googles new web 2.0 search feature will be an interesting one to watch. And it appears to be a move towards including user generated result suggestions into their search algorithm.

My suggestion would be to add notes to your site and improve its page position, it can’t hurt and you never know it might help improve rankings! It could also drive traffic since notes for the SearchWiki can be viewed by all users at the bottom of the page.

So be proactive and get notes on your site and rank it to the top!

Tags: DMOZ, Google SearchWiki, Search Engine Optimization, Web 2.0.