Improve the Google Custom Search on the profile pages?

Question

Near the bottom of each profile there is a "Search" box. The name of the profile is automatically entered and clicking "Go" opens a new tab/window with the results of a "Google Custom Search ".

How does this differ from a conventional Google search?  The results are interesting and not entirely irrelevant but usually far too broad to be useful. Could additional terms be added? A search for a particular ancestor returns 237,000 results. If I could add say, "Michigan" and perhaps a date, the fishing expedition might produce something useful.

Comments

I find Google search results are better if I use the names of both the husband and wife. As you said, using one name gives results that are too broad.

Answer 1

We can certainly adjust it.

It's meant to be a handy little timesaver, but I'm not sure how handy it is or how much time it saves anyone. Maybe it doesn't merit inclusion there at all.

Comments

That's what I was wondering. The handiness factor probably doesn't justify the space it takes up but I do seem to get different results compared to the regular Google search and some are moderately interesting. Does the Custom Search prioritize its search terms or results differently or am I imagining things?

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The search shortcut is useful, shouldn't be removed, but it could be more useful if it narrowed down the search results by including:

1. Date range: I use 25 years before birth, to approximate death. i.e. if born 1900 and died 1950, I include '1875..1950' in the search terms. If unknown death date, assume 60 years.

2. Name combinations: first+last, first+middle+last, middle+last, preferred+last, plus combinations with currrent last name and other last names and with 'last, first' combinationations..

3. The 'genealogy' tag doesn't add any value, the other terms should narrow down the search.

If it's a common name, I usually add locations to the search, though that could be difficult for WikiTree since we don't have any date standardization. Or spouse name or parent(s) name(s) if known. But it's always easier to remove unneeded search terms than to cut/paster new ones.

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I'm not sure about #3, Bob. Google Custom Search is somewhat different from Google.com's search. I believe Custom Search can be restricted to certain web sites. I suspect the  ~genealogy  term confines the search to genealogy web sites which are tagged according to Schema.org's  and historical-data.org's markup rules. This enhanced search is different and may actually be better than a conventional Google search. If it is in fact different, then I agree that enhancing it with date or location search terms would be desirable.

Answer 2

You may find your answer here: http://www.wikitree.com/g2g/81423/using-boolean-searches-on-wikitree-finding-categories

Maybe WikiTree could replace Google Search with SiteComber.