Part 6: Search Engine History from 2016-2019. Google's Continued Dominance, Bing's "Intelligent Search", and Yahoo's Data Breach.

Search engines have come a long way in the last 20 years. We rely on them to find information about everything from the latest news to the nearest coffee shop. From 2016 to 2019, the search engine landscape saw significant changes. We will discuss Google's Possum, Fred, Medic, and Bert updates, as well as Microsoft Bing's Intelligent Answers and Visual Search API. We will also talk about Yahoo's data breach and their acquisition by Verizon.

2016

In 2016, Google made a major update to its search algorithm, known as "Possum." The update aimed to provide more relevant results for local searches. The update also improved the diversity of results, making it more likely for smaller businesses to appear in search results.

Later that year, Google introduced a new feature called "Google Home Services." The feature allowed users in select cities to book services like plumbers and electricians directly from the search results page.

Google also introduced a new feature called "Accelerated Mobile Pages" (AMP), which allowed web pages to load quickly on mobile devices.

2017

In 2017, Google made another major update to its search algorithm, known as "Fred." The update aimed to penalize websites that had low-quality content and too many ads.

Google also introduced a new feature called "Jobs on Google." The feature allowed job seekers to search for jobs directly from the search results page. The feature also allowed employers to post job listings directly on Google.

Later that year, Google introduced a new feature called "Google Lens." The feature allowed users to take a photo of an object and get information about it. The feature also allowed users to point their phone's camera at a sign or menu and get a translation in real-time.

2018

In 2018, Google introduced a major update to its search engine, known as "Medic." The update aimed to provide more relevant results for health-related queries. The update also aimed to promote websites that had expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in the medical field.

Google also introduced a new feature called "Google Discover." The feature allowed users to see news and articles that were relevant to their interests, even if they hadn't searched for them.

Later that year, Google introduced a new feature called "Google Duplex." The feature allowed Google Assistant to make phone calls on behalf of users. The feature could be used to book appointments or make reservations.

2019

In 2019, Google introduced a new feature called "Bert." The update aimed to provide more accurate results for natural language queries. The update also aimed to better understand the context of a search query.

Google also introduced a new feature called "Google Shopping." The feature allowed users to search for products and compare prices across multiple retailers. The feature also allowed users to make purchases directly from the search results page.

Later that year, Google introduced a new feature called "Incognito Mode" for Google Maps. The feature allowed users to search for and navigate to a location without their searches being saved to their Google account.

Conclusion

Google Search has continued to evolve over the years, with new features and updates aimed at providing a better search experience for its users. From the "Possum" and "Fred" updates to the introduction of "Google Lens" and "Google Duplex," Google has continued to push the boundaries of what a search engine can do. As Google continues to innovate, it will be interesting to see what new features and updates they will introduce in the future.

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2016

In 2016, Bing announced that it was updating its image search experience. The update included a new interface with improved navigation and a new feature that allowed users to filter images by size, color, layout, and more. The update also included a feature that allowed users to search for similar images.

Later that year, Bing introduced a new feature called "Intelligent Answers." The feature allowed users to get answers to questions without having to click on any search results. Bing also added a feature that allowed users to track flight status.

2017

In 2017, Bing announced that it was integrating with Reddit to provide answers to search queries. The integration allowed Bing to provide answers to queries related to AMAs (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit. Bing also introduced a feature that allowed users to search for job openings.

Later that year, Bing announced that it was updating its image search experience again. The update included a new interface with larger images and improved navigation. The update also included a feature that allowed users to search for specific celebrities, animals, and landmarks.

2018

In 2018, Bing announced that it was updating its mobile search experience. The update included a new interface with larger font sizes and better spacing between search results. The update also included a feature that allowed users to search for restaurants and read reviews directly from the search results page.

Later that year, Bing introduced a new feature called "Intelligent Search." The feature allowed users to get answers to complex questions without having to click on any search results. The feature also provided users with multiple perspectives on a topic.

2019

In 2019, Bing announced that it was updating its visual search experience. The update included a new interface with improved navigation and a new feature that allowed users to search for products by taking a photo of them. The update also included a feature that allowed users to search for images based on their color.

Later that year, Bing introduced a new feature called "Visual Search API." The feature allowed developers to integrate Bing's visual search technology into their own applications.

Conclusion

Microsoft Bing has come a long way since its launch in 2009. From updating its image search experience to introducing new features like "Intelligent Answers" and "Visual Search API," Bing has continued to improve its search experience for its users. As Bing continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see what new features and improvements they will introduce in the future.

2016

In 2016, Yahoo was acquired by Verizon Communications, a move that was expected to bring about major changes for the search engine. The acquisition was driven by Verizon's interest in Yahoo's advertising technology, which they hoped to integrate into their other digital properties.

A data breach was reported on December 14, 2016, which occurred earlier in August 2013. This breach affected over 1 billion user accounts, making it the largest ever discovered in the history of the internet (at that time). According to the BBC, this was the largest technical breach ever reported at the time. The stolen data included names, email addresses, phone numbers, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers, dates of birth, and encrypted passwords. The breach was carried out using web cookies that were manufactured to falsify login credentials, allowing the hackers to access any account without a password.

2017

In 2017, Yahoo was rebranded as Oath, following the acquisition by Verizon. However, the search engine continued to operate under the Yahoo name.

That same year, Yahoo introduced a new feature called "Project Index." The feature aimed to improve the search experience by allowing users to find information more quickly and easily. The feature included enhancements like autocomplete and instant answers.

2018

In 2018, Oath was rebranded again, this time as Verizon Media Group. The rebranding was part of an effort to consolidate Verizon's digital properties under one umbrella.

Verizon Media Group continued to invest in Yahoo Search, introducing a new feature called "Native Search Ads." The feature allowed advertisers to place search ads in Yahoo's search results, making it easier for them to reach their target audience.

Later that year, Yahoo Search introduced a new feature called "People Search." The feature allowed users to search for people by name and location, making it easier to find and connect with others.

2019

In 2019, Verizon Media Group was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Conclusion

Yahoo Search has undergone significant changes in the past few years, with multiple rebranding’s and the acquisition by Verizon and later Apollo Global Management. Despite these changes, the search engine continued to introduce new features aimed at improving the search experience for its users, such as "Search Direct," "Project Index," and "People Search." While the future of Yahoo Search is uncertain, it's clear that the search engine will continue to evolve adapting to the user’s needs. If Yahoo wants to make a comeback, they’ll need something revolutionary.

Search Engine History from 2016-2019 In Summary

the history of search engines from 2016 to 2019 was marked by significant advancements and improvements. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google all played a role in pushing the limits of search technology, resulting in faster, more accurate, and more personalized search results. While Google maintained its dominance in the market, Bing made strides and established themselves as strong players in the industry. Yahoo! Although attempting to penetrate new markets and innovate continued to decline in market share, profits, and was ultimately sold to Verizon. The continued innovation and competition in the search engine market has undoubtedly benefited users, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for these companies and the search industry as AI is implemented.

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