Throughout the years, Google has been known for using different factors to provide you with better search results whenever you look up various things online. Now, it seems that what you are watching on the television could also be used by the tech giant to provide you with more relevant search results.
Bill Slawski, an SEO patent guru, revealed that Google was recently granted a patent for the concept of using what’s currently playing on your TV to influence your research results. The patent, which has a lengthy name of “System and method for enhancing user search results by determining a television program currently being displayed in proximity to an electronic device,” was originally filed on June 30, 2011. The tech giant finally received the approval for the use of the patent on September 16, 2014.
With the patent, Google could take note of what you’re currently watching on TV. If you do a search later on, the tech giant could use your previous TV viewing experience as basis for the search results it would provide you with.
Google provided an example to clearly illustrate what the patent can do for users. Let’s say you were watching a TV program with a segment about a Porsche 911 Turbo. When you execute a search query using the keywords “Porsche” or “sports car,” both of which are generic or broad search terms, Google’s server could return with search results showing information about the Porsche 911 Turbo car model. It could also come up with links about the TV program with the segment on Porsche 911 that you were watching previously, or suggestions of similar TV programs that is currently airing or will air in the near future.
However, it remains to be seen whether Google will use its latest patent in its search algorithms and to determine search rankings. Matt Cutts, the head of the tech giant’s search spam team, have said before that just because Google has a new patent, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will use it right away. As such, webmasters, site owners, and online marketing experts could only speculate when Google will utilise its ability to show more precise search results by using the TV shows Internet users like you are watching.
As for webmasters and online business owners, Google’s acquisition of its latest patent is definitely something they must take into consideration. After all, it could definitely change the playing field once the tech giant decides to integrate the patent to its search algorithm. If and when the tech giant does implement it, SEO practitioners and site owners will have to rethink their strategies to improve how they present their products, services, or brands online.
