Techrights

Why Google News is Perishing: Failing to Include Thousands of Active News Sites That Cover GNU/Linux

Posted by Roy Schestowitz on Oct 21, 2023

But ad-infested reposter (Google primary sells ads rather than information) that takes bribes is OK (rewarding conformity and subservience to the industry, not honesty or accuracy):

Phoronix in Google News: A lack of source diversity

Notice how many of yesterday's search results for "Linux" are just pointing to one single site. Despite hundreds if not thousands of sites covering GNU/Linux-related stories every day. For sure it's hundreds in English.

Based on what criteria did Google News staff (many layoffs ongoing at the moment) decide to include and boost this site? Here's a timely new example of low s/n (signal-to-noise) ratio in Phoronix. First, this is about something that did not happen. Second, this is a month away (a very long time). Third, this is about a mere freeze, not a release. Basically, not important at all. Microsoft content is also included under the "Linux" banner in Phoronix, apparently for "entertainment" (that's how the owner of Phoronix explained or rationalised this to me).

A lack of source diversity can doom Google News because people can just subscribe directly to those sites which dominate Google News search results, maybe by means of SEO tactics rather than merits or relevance. █