Develop a list of keywords for the searches.

Conduct a Google Search to Observe the Result of Personalized Searches

1. Get together with some friends in a group.

While this exercise can be performed with as few as two people, it works better with a larger number. Also, this exercise works better when the group is composed of people with a wide divergence of interests.

2. Brainstorm a list of searches.

The list of searches should be specific; that is, they should refer to specific interests and hobbies of the different people in the group.

3. Develop a list of keywords for the searches.

Try to use words that have more than one meaning. For example, the word fish could refer to the action of trying to catch food from a boat, searching for information, the victim in a con game, and so on. The word green could refer to a color, a person who is new at something, a person’s last name, and so on.

4. Conduct the searches simultaneously on Google.

Each person should be connected to the Internet on his or her own device (laptop, notebook, smartphone, etc.), be on the Google

search page, and enter the exact same keyword at the same time.

5. Analyze the results of each search.

Notice differences in time of search, number of hits, and sites ranked highest.

Can you explain the differences in search results by the personal characteristics of the different people who conducted the searches?

6. Repeat the process above with relatively general terms, such as news, clothing, advertising, reality, effect.

Analyze the results of each search on a general term. Are there as many differences across people when you use a general term compared to when you use a specific term?