New Google module gives personal recommendations

Google has released a new module for its personalized homepage. On its own, this is not terrifically exciting news, but the “Interesting Items For You” feature is a reminder of how much information Google actually collects about you, and it illustrates the creative uses to which that data can be put.

The module is straightforward: it has three tabs across the top, marked “searches,” “pages,” and “gadgets.” Clicking on each tab brings up a list of items recommended for you based on your search history, and is meant to point you toward things you might not otherwise know existed. The “searches” tab does not display your own past searches, but instead shows popular searches related to topics you have searched on recently. The “pages” tab shows a list of interesting pages related to your search history that you might not have clicked on in past searches. (”Gadgets” simply shows recommended modules for inclusion on your customized homepage.)

The module relies on Google’s personalized search to do the heavy lifting. Using personalized search requires a Google account, and it must be explicitly activated by the user. Once this is done, personalized search keeps track of all queries and any links that were clicked on as a result. Google previously made it easy to search your own search history, dredging up past searches and websites of interest, but the new module goes a step further by providing recommendations based on this history.

Informal testing here at the Orbiting HQ found the new tool to be fun and occasionally useful, though more of a toy than anything else. If you’re looking for a way to kill a few minutes, this may fit the bill. If you’re looking for a massive increase in productivity, look elsewhere.

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