SITE REVIEW Google Co op

Google has taken the ethos behind Wikipedia – that anyone can contribute to improve online information – and combined it with its impressive search technology.

The result, Google Co-op , currently at beta stage, shows how individual input can improve even Google.

Co-op enables experts to create a search topic area they are highly knowledgeable
about. A topic area is basically a set of predefined content providers that experts would like to share with web searchers – a bit like a library.

At the head of each topic area is a tag cloud featuring terms associated with the subject area that will help users refine their search. For example, under
“heart attack”, there are cloud links to terms such as treatments, symptoms,
diagnosis and health professionals.

With Co-op, Google has accepted it cannot provide the sole answer to information
enquiries and has invited experts to contribute to improving information access for everyone. The current Co-op channels offer a mix of consumer and professional, ranging from cars to health – Google is very keen on medical professionals creating topic areas.

The Health Co-op is surprisingly like a portal page, with a series of boxes carrying
logos from information providers such as the National Library of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Type in a search area such as “multiple sclerosis” and the results include the familiar sponsored links to keepGoogle’s healthy revenues coming in plus a newtag cloud developed by the Co-op expert.

The tag cloud iswhat sets Co-op apart from the standard Google search engine . The results tag cloud is broken down into four categories for a health search, with items grouped under head ings such as conditions, drug information, for doctors and information types.

This is a brilliant way of grouping content as it provides a map that lets users
work their way methodically through information, rather than darting from one area of information to another.

Co-op has huge potential for users and information providers and information
professionals should welcome it with open arms and get involved.

Mark Chillingworth

IN BRIEF
http://www.google.com/coop 
Beta search service asks professionals to get involved to improve results

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