News

New Google Update Will Prioritize Quality Websites In Results

The update is billed to be useful for users seeking educational materials, arts and entertainment, plus tech-focused content and shopping results.

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2022

Nour Nasir

Google

A new Google update has just been announced and the company is promising a raft of updates to its search algorithm that will prioritize “quality websites” in the search results, with a view to helping its users uncover more reliable or accurate source material.

Google’s long-term focus has always centered on promoting quality content in search results, and this update seeks to address concerns from some users that the company’s results haven’t been optimal of late.

“We definitely want to speed up the experience for people and make them feel like they’re getting what they’re looking for. We’re trying to show people more helpful and authentic content. […] content made by and for humans, which is a lot of what people seem to be seeking,” says Danny Sullivan, Google Search Spokesperson.

The update, known internally as the “helpful content update“, began a global rollout for English-speaking searches this week, focusing on targeting SEO-first content designed for the sole purpose of ranking on page one.

There’s no news yet as to whether we might be looking at a rerun of 2012’s infamous “Penguin” update, which saw thousands of SEO-focused affiliate sites wiped from search results, destroying the income streams of many internet entrepreneurs.

Google says its product testing indicates that the algorithm update will prove especially helpful for results relating to shopping, arts and entertainment, tech-related content, and online learning. The search giant will simultaneously tweak its existing product review results by adding more firsthand and in-depth experiences to reviews.

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Instead of sending users to a page that aggregates and rounds up other review sites, or to suggestions from people who have never used a product, Google’s spokesperson Danny Sullivan says the company is working to unearth more experienced product reviews and opinions.

So the big question is, should website owners be worried? Google maintains that the update will not impact results if a site isn’t primarily spammy or SEO-driven, but instead focused on genuinely helpful content. Let’s wait and see how things progress over the coming months!

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

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D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.