Aspects of Google: bigger is better – or less is more?

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate recent enhancements to the internet search engine Google.

Design/methodology/approach

An opinion piece based on practitioner experience and recent commentary on search engine innovations.

Findings

That recent innovations in Google's functionality have yet to deliver what they promise, but that it is still early to say what can genuinely be achieved in these areas.

Research limitations/implications

This is an expression of opinion about a service that will be radically improved and developed in the immediate future.

Practical implications

Gives some useful insights and tips on how to use existing digital library tools to achieve information retrieval results along the lines of those aspired to by Google.

Originality/value

An attempt to give clear, practice‐based examples of how to apply recent digital information retrieval developments to contemporary library work.

Citation

Joint, N. (2005), "Aspects of Google: bigger is better – or less is more?", Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 3, pp. 145-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530510588890