Google is discontinuing its Google Notes Search Labs experiment, which enabled users to view and leave notes on Google’s search results. The decision has left many in the search community unsurprised.

Google Ends Search Notes Experiment

Google Search Notes, a feature available exclusively on Android and Apple devices, is being discontinued. Throughout its existence, no practical purpose or usefulness for the Notes experiment has been defined. Reaction from search marketers has consistently highlighted concerns that it would attract spam. The Search Labs page for the experiment promoted it as a mode of self-expression, a means to assist other users, and a way for users to compile their notes within their Google profiles.
The official Notes page in Search Labs now states:
“Notes on Search Ends May 2024”
And that’s the end of it.

Reactions from the Search Community on Google’s Notes Experiment

Kevin Indig voiced concerns on Twitter, suggesting that any user-generated content feature from Google was bound to attract spam. He tweeted: “I’m going to assume Google retires notes because of spam. It’s wild how spammy the web has become. Google can’t launch anything UGC without being bombarded.”
Cindy Krum shared insights from Purna Virji, who predicted the shutdown of the experiment once Google gathered sufficient data. She tweeted: “It was actually @purnavirji who predicted it… Everyone agreed that it would be spammed, but she said it would just be a test to collect certain information until they got what they needed, and then it would be retired.”
Purna Virji herself responded, suggesting that Google may have been using user-generated content to train AI models: “My personal (non-employer) opinion is that everyone wants all the UGC to train the AI models. For example, the Reddit deal could also potentially help with that.”
Google’s Notes for Search failed to gain traction and was met with skepticism upon its release. Its impending shutdown has not elicited much mourning from users or industry observers.

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