Is Google "All About Search"? There 4 New Search Tools Seem to be a Departure from their Core Search Engine Crawling/Ranking Algorithms

Google Press emphasizes that they are "still all about search". However, the 4 new products they launched are a bit of a departure from the core search (SERPs) and ranking algorithms at Google.

Google Co-op: Google Co-op
Allows users to label the Web and categorize content. Looks like a dmoz.org or Google directory replacement. It will be interesting to see what impact the labeling/categorization of pages have on the core search engine ranking algorithms and SERPs.

Google Desktop 4: Google Desktop Download
At its heart, it delivers improved desktop search. No clear link to google.com's search results. Check it out for information on "Google Gadgets".

Google Notebook: https://www.google.com/accounts/Serv...rvice=notebook
This looks like the evolution of bookmarking Google-style. It's interesting how they basically have the capability of identifying more important content within a page based on what users add to their notebooks. It will be interesting to see how it eventually impacts the ranking algorithms and SERPs.

Google Trends: Google Trends
A small scale market research tool. Very basic right now. Interesting how it ties news to the peaks in search activity.

Notes on vBSEO
  • vBSEO CRUs will look much nicer when included in the Google Co-op directory, as opposed to the dynamic versions.
  • The keywords in URLs might also help to boost their position in the co-op search results.
  • The "Google Gadgets" in Google Desktop 4 present a unique opportunity for vBSEO to develop gadget accessories to further improve vBulletin SEO.
  • How will forum CRUs that get captured in Google Notebook entries be impacted in the SERPs?
For Discussion
  • How long before blackhat SEO-ers find a exploit in Google Co-op or Google Notebook?
  • Could issuing a press release during a peak in search activity for a particular term get you listed on the Google trends analysis page? What would the traffic impact be for your site?
  • Are these 4 new tools a departure from the machine automated search engine crawling/ranking algorithms? Is Google telling us they can't figure out a way to improve them without human intervention? Or is this primarily a move forward in human usability?
  • Will people take time time to use Google Notebook? Or, would it be better delivered in a more automated fashion such as automatically detecting sites that you've copy/pasted for other purposes and placing them at higher priority in the Google Desktop search results?
  • Will you use Google Trends? What other marketing research tools do you actively use for improving your forums?
Source:
Official Google Blog: Yes, we are still all about search