Google has been running the SearchWiki experiment for a few weeks now, and I haven’t been using it. There’s something about the idea of voting SERPs up and down that is quite sitting right with me. I also don’t see the purpose of commenting on SERPs.

I’m sure the reaction from your average web surfer is vastly different, but for me the idea behind this feature is a bit counter-intuitive. I understand why Google would want to incorporate common features like this, but this particular implementation is rife for abuse.

Google has already suggested they may use SearchWiki data to influence SERPs. If they do, you can expect manipulation quickly. It would be nothing for companies to set up “boiler rooms” of “raters” who go and push up their SERPs.

If Google uses it for statistical modeling, fine. Or if they use “massive demotions” to see if a website is crap for a further review, fine. But it just seems like one more place on the internet for people to leave unsolicited and unverified information about a websites.

It’s another one of those products where if people had to pay extra for the feature, they wouldn’t. If Google adds too many of these features to their listings, they’ll end up losing that simple sparse look and feel people are used to.