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Q: Why simultanious same searches on 2 computers differ? ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Why simultanious same searches on 2 computers differ?
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: googel-ga
List Price: $3.00
Posted: 08 Aug 2003 13:54 PDT
Expires: 07 Sep 2003 13:54 PDT
Question ID: 241552
Please explain how can happen that a Gooogl search done on 2 computers
(practically simultaneously) can give different results.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Why simultanious same searches on 2 computers differ?
Answered By: serenata-ga on 08 Aug 2003 16:05 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello googel-ga ~

Google explains this "seeming" inconsistency:

"Multiple indices

    We update our index about every four weeks. If you happen to enter
the same query repeatedly while we are in the process of posting the
index at our various data centers around the country, it might seem
like you are seeing inconsistent results from Google. What is actually
happening is that you are seeing a result from an 'old' version of our
index one time and a result from a 'new' version the next. Due to the
size of our index, we can not simultaneously post a new index at all
of our data centers, which may result in this behavior for a short
period of time."
   - ://www.google.com/webmasters/2.html#B2

With datacenters located in several locations and indexing over 3
billion pages, the sheer enormity of updating during the Googlebot's
crawl would obviously take  considerable time.

Although it makes sense for a searcher to reach the Google datacenter
closest to them, the likeliest reason for the disparity you noticed is
probably that your search requests were directed to two different data
centers for load balancing reasons.

As an example, SEO Chat has what it calls a "Google Dance Tool" which
will show you the returns simultaneously from some of the different
data centers on any search term. SEO Chat explains that this tool is
not related in any way to Google, nor endorsed by Google. The tool and
site are here:
   - http://googledance.seochat.com/


This phenomenon is also discussed in general terms on Webmaster
World's "Google Update FAQ" here:
   - http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/3726.htm?highlight=google+faq

and in other discussions regarding Google here:
   - http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/

Regards,
Serenata

Clarification of Answer by serenata-ga on 08 Aug 2003 16:46 PDT
I forgot to mention my search strategy in my answer, so here it is:

Google search:
   - google: different results
   - ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=google%3A+different+results&btnG=Google+Search


Webmaster World search terms:
   Google: different results, good explanation below
   - http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/10156.htm

In addition, I relied on bookmarked information and knowledge derived
from experience, and previous answers.

Serenata
googel-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Thank you,serenata.

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