Trend to not use google

[CdnCarrie]

Has anyone notice with rise of social media that especially younger people are not using google/websites for information?

Today alone I saw 2 people asking about opening hours on Reddit and Facebook. For places with websites - library and gym.

Lots of other times recently too. Why go post a question on Reddit rather then checking the company’s website?

Have you noticed this?

 

[sam_gordon]

Absolutely. I've seen folks ask questions on here that can be answered with a simple Google search. Of course, I have no idea on their ages.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Today someone asked on a Facebook group about city library hours. I just don’t get it. Why but check their website or app? They’ve had a website for like 25 years.
I posted the link to the website as did someone else.

 

[fla4fun]

Has anyone notice with rise of social media that especially younger people are not using google/websites for information?

Today alone I saw 2 people asking about opening hours on Reddit and Facebook. For places with websites - library and gym.

Lots of other times recently too. Why go post a question on Reddit rather then checking the company’s website?

Have you noticed this?

No, but then the DIS is the only social media I use so I probably wouldn’t. I still go to websites or use the company’s app to find out information. The information you get from random people on the internet may or may not be accurate. My goal is to get the most accurate info in the shortest amount of time. At least if the company itself posts bad info, I know who to be angry with . . .

 

[_19disnA]

Apparently for some people, their lives revolve around participation on social media and they seem too lazy to do a bit of online searching to get the answer to obvious questions that are easily found. I have no idea if it is better worse than 5-10 yrs ago. It would also seem to take longer on social media to post a question and then wait for replies instead of just looking it up for yourself.

 

[kymom99]

Not exactly the same, but similar. I belong to a Kentucky teacher group on Facebook. I can’t tell you how many people post asking for retirement information, rather than simply going to the retirement website. It’s endless. I don’t get it.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Not exactly the same, but similar. I belong to a Kentucky teacher group on Facebook. I can’t tell you how many people post asking for retirement information, rather than simply going to the retirement website. It’s endless. I don’t get it.

This! I don’t get it.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I'll poll my students this week. I wonder if people are suspicious of google now.

 

[LuvOrlando]

It's because people don't trust Google or other big name sources anymore, I sure don't. I could Google some things but know it's just businesses who paid to be at the top or it bots giving reviews so it is pointless, I'd rather get a bad recommendation on here that is at least more likely genuine.

 

[john7994]

Personally, I notice it on the DIS all the time. Even more funny - people will get 15 answers to the same question (a lot of them repeating) with some minor twist that is often not what the OP was asking … or what I just did now …

 

[CdnCarrie]

I'll poll my students this week. I wonder if people are suspicious of google now.

Please do and report back!

 

[CdnCarrie]

It's because people don't trust Google or other big name sources anymore, I sure don't. I could Google some things but know it's just businesses who paid to be at the top or it bots giving reviews so it is pointless, I'd rather get a bad recommendation on here that is at least more likely genuine.

You don’t trust the library website to give you accurate opening hours?

I’m not talking recommendations.

 

[john7994]

I googled the question you posed
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/20/google-search-problems-mount/

 

[LuvOrlando]

You don’t trust the library website to give you accurate opening hours?

I’m not talking recommendations.

I wish the operating hours on things were updated, they are not and are often wrong so I actually just call and ask before I bother going. The info is often very stale, sometimes stores are closed for good. Not reliable any more.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I wish the operating hours on things were updated, they are not and are often wrong so I actually just call and ask before I bother going. The info is often very stale, sometimes stores are closed for good. Not reliable any more.

That would have nothing to do with google but with the company running the website.

I keep our website updated at work.

Have you mentioned to all these companies that their website is out of date?

Have you contacted your local library to tell them the hours are wrong?

 

[CdnCarrie]

I googled the question you posed
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/20/google-search-problems-mount/

My question has more to do with directional questions than gathering information. Such as opening hours and going to the company’s website for the information. Or the company’s Facebook page.

 

[john7994]

My question has more to do with directional questions than gathering information. Such as opening hours and going to the company’s website for the information. Of the company’s Facebook page.

Google didn't really have a good answer for that ... but it did for this part of your question:

Has anyone notice with rise of social media that especially younger people are not using google/websites for information?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Some people crave social interaction. They may not have an extensive social circle IRL. Searching Google is impersonal. Asking a question on social media leads to conversation & human interaction.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Google didn't really have a good answer for that ... but it did for this part of your question:

Has anyone notice with rise of social media that especially younger people are not using google/websites for information?

And what was the answer?

 

[CdnCarrie]

Some people crave social interaction. They may not have an extensive social circle IRL. Searching Google is impersonal. Asking a question on social media leads to conversation & human interaction.

I get that too. But wouldn’t it make sense to check the library website or app for their hours instead?