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[[_Bits from ramprasad thoughts_]]

Saturday, May 10, 2008

+ Wierd Google web search result message! +

Was just hacking google search features and the various URL fields that google system understands to service it's huge user base. The pretty field `num', tells the google system to get the specified `num' search results for a particular keyword query. `num' can be anywhere from 1 to 100. But when num=0 for any keywords (in this case `google'), Google throws a surprising message for the query - google.com/search?q=google&num=0 to the user as below -

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Your search - google - did not match any documents.

Suggestions:

* Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
* Try different keywords.
* Try more general keywords.
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Here's the screenshot -



Does this message suits for the query - get _zero_ search result? Hey Google, this result is absolutely nothing to do with the way query is done to your web index. It should be somewhat clear, fair and positive to the user. It should say `You are trying to query a keyword for 0 result' which does not make any sense or something like that. Instead, mentioning `Your search - google - did not match any documents' is a strange and inappropriate message. Don't you think Google?

Happy Googling!

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