No replies to this topic

[websage]

From the German News Digest:

"German Bertelsmann Foundation has put forward a set of unified quality standards for Internet search engines on the occasion of the conference Munich Media Days, held from October 22 to 24, 2003.

The foundation introduced the voluntary standards, named Code of Conduct, which should make access to the Internet more transparent and improve the quality and usability of search engines. The initiative was supported by AOL Germany, Microsoft MSN Germany and web catalogue Allesklar.com.

The code requires from search engines to state clearly what role paid entries play in search results. The protection of children and young people from porn sites is also a main topic in the standards.

According to a survey by the foundation, published on October 10, 2003, 57 pct of the German search-engine services have registered an increase in manipulations by website operators, aiming to secure top placements in search result lists.

Over 90 pct of the users find their way through the Internet only with the help of search engines and Google is the dominant market leader, the survey showed. It is preferred by 69 pct of all users."

More information about the project called "Transparency on the Internet: Search Engines" can be accessed at:
http://www.bertelsma...nid=52&aid=5581

An executive summary is available in PDF in German at:
http://www.bertelsma...ummaryFlyer.pdf

A related article is available in English:
A Mysterious Gatekeeper: users largely lack knowledge about search engines