One major change that will occur during Web 3.0 will be a shift in how items are ranked in search engines. Traditionally search engines have ranked websites based on one easily manipulated factor - links. While links will remain an important part of search algorithms - an existing part of the equation will be become the next hot SEO subject thanks to advances in language parsing technology - content.

In about 2-5 years we will begin to see search algorithms switch from focusing mainly on links to focusing on the content itself. Is it stolen? Is it well written? Is it credible? Does the subject of the content match the title? Is it focused content or does it touch on a number of different subjects? Those questions will soon play a much more important role in how data is ranked.

Now you might be thinking, “well isn’t content already important?”. It is, but I do not think it has been given enough respect due to a lack of good language parsing technology. Nowadays you can post a blank page with the word “monkey” written on it with a trillion links pointing to it the content could very well be given top positions despite the fact the content is… well… lame. Slowly but surely companies like Google are taking strides to prevent that from happening anymore.

While the number of links will always play an important role in deciding how credible and accurate content is - it shouldn’t be the end all be all solution - which is what it is these days. Links should only be part of the algorithm and there should be a limit that controls how much influence they can have.

In addition to the content itself, search engines will soon become much smarter. Soon the search engines will basically “know” you. This aspect of search will be there to keep unwanted content from being returned. If you don’t want adult sites, block ‘em. If a specific site or blog keeps giving you bad results, let the search engine know and you’ll never have to see it again. Looking for a good Italian restaurant in your area? Just type in “Italian restaurant” and boom - it’ll pop up with links leading to maps, reviews, and menus for various Italian restaurants in your area (Ask.com does something similar now - but it can be improved greatly). Do you only click on certain URLs while searching for code examples? The search engine will know to give those URLs more priority when you search.

Oh, and if you’re concerned about your privacy don’t worry. I have a feeling in a few more years Google and the other major search providers will be slapped with some nice lawsuits and will be forced to tell users what information they collect, as well as give an opt-out option for not allowing the search engines to collect the info in the first place. A few smaller search engines are already doing that - the big guys will soon be forced to do the same. Be patient, it’ll happen.

Even if my predictions above are completely wrong, at least I do know one thing’s for sure - if humanity isn’t dead on December 21, 2012 as the Mayan’s predicted the next few years will be yet another amazing period of innovation in technology. Unfortunately, even with those great advances there will still be some information unavailable - such as the answer to life, the universe, and everything. If only Google knew the correct answer…

What do you think? Do I have some good ideas or am I completely wrong? What do you think search will be like in 10 years? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

One of the odd things about Web 3.0 is how many definitions there are of it. Some industry leaders say it will be about making data easier to find, others say it has more to do with applications, and yet other leaders say it will be basically a continuation of Web 2.0. My definition of Web 3.0 is a mixture of these thoughts.

I think Web 3.0 will be about:

1. Proper indexing of all the data from the explosion of the read/write web (Web 2.0).
2. Making it easier to find CREDIBLE data via artificial intelligence algorithms designed to find a distinction between good and bad info based on the content itself as well as what you’ve searched for in the past, and not the number of links pointing to the content (which is how current algorithms do it for the most part).
3. The creation of standards and protocols to make it easier to use data in advanced web applications on both computers and mobile devices.
4. Audio and video content continuing to push the pipes to the breaking point, thus increasing the need for more bandwidth.
5. Simplifying content/RSS readers for the everyday person.
6. Another huge advance in client-side scripting and overall website development, similar to what AJAX and CSS did for Web 2.0. In addition I think new and old technology will be developed to make it easier to use online data in an offline environment.

What do you think Web 3.0 will be? Please share your thoughts in the comments.