Google and search result personalization

May 10th, 2011
google
Google appears to tailor your search results based on your history. For example, a search for free raisins gives one set of results when I do it and another when I do it in the same browser after signing off my google account:
Signed in:
  1. The Free Raisins
  2. Free Raisins | Facebook
  3. Free Raisins for $0.00 + free shipping
  4. DanceDB at tedcrane.com: Free Raisins
  5. The Baking Beauties: Gluten Free Raisin Bran Muffins
  6. Nancy Tuesday and the Free Raisins | Free Music, Tour Dates
  7. Free Sample of Mariani Flavor Sensations - www.marianifruit.com
  8. Shoprite: Free Raisins & Chocolate
  9. Sugar-Free Raisin Bars Recipe - Allrecipes.com
  10. Yogurt Raisins (Free Raisins Sugar Fruit Dried NutsOnline)
Signed out:
  1. The Free Raisins
  2. Free Raisins | Facebook
  3. Free Raisins for $0.00 + free shipping
  4. Nancy Tuesday and the Free Raisins | Free Music, Tour Dates
  5. The Baking Beauties: Gluten Free Raisin Bran Muffins
  6. Free Sample of Mariani Flavor Sensations - www.marianifruit.com
  7. Shoprite: Free Raisins & Chocolate
  8. Sugar-Free Raisin Bars Recipe - Allrecipes.com
  9. The Free Raisins Live on CCTV
  10. Yogurt Raisins (Free Raisins Sugar Fruit Dried NutsOnline)
It's a little funny that I don't get the CCTV one when logged in as me, because not only is it my band but the youtube account that uploaded it is my account and is linked to the google account I was searching under.

This is something that has occasionally bitten me when trying to increase the search placement of sites through tweaking things. You think you're doing better but actually the search engine has learned.

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