Google Has Solved A Problem That Doesn’t Exist

Does anyone else remember iGoogle? For anyone too young (or those who may have simply scrubbed it from their memory), it was a thoroughly unpleasant way to customise the Google homepage with all sorts of use-free junk. It was like Google morphed briefly into Myspace, and it was as dreadful and soulless as that sounds.

Apparently, that itch still needs scratching. In their infinite wisdom, Google have decided that it’s not enough that you go to Google to find something you’re already looking for, but that - in fact - you should go to Google to be told what Google thinks you should be looking for.

As reported, Google’s mobile homepage will now include a feed of links that you WILL find useful, because the algorithm has determined it to be so.

This is despite the fact that the last damn thing anyone in the universe needs is another bloody feed. We’re positively engorged with the feeding at this point.

This is also despite the fact that the only reason to visit Google’s homepage is to find something you’re already looking for. Who in their right mind is going to just drop by Google to see what’s happening?

This is also despite the fact that who in their right mind still uses the Google homepage at all? The ability to search directly from the URL bar has been in place for aeons now (and was pioneered by, wait for it, Google) - I haven’t got data on this, but surely the number of searches on mobile initiated by the search field on the Google homepage is pretty small these days?

This is ALSO despite the fact that Google is working pretty damn hard to make us all search by voice instead.

So, presumably this is just some sort of unresolved ambition that Google just wants to get out of its system, the tech giant equivalent of buying a Harley.

In the meantime though, I can’t help but think they’ve solved a problem that doesn’t exist.

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