I don't mean as a company, or all the other things they do that we don't like, I mean as a search engine? When did it get so crappy?

It used to be great, you could find anything. Is it all sales driven results now? It's not a new thing, but the last couple days really drove it home. Yesterday I was trying to find information about different types of fuel line (hose), and all I got was page after page of links to sites selling hose.

This morning I was trying to find information about the barrels an older firearms company used. Years ago that would have netted tons of results from various forum threads. All I got were two pages of ads to companies selling barrels or firearms, auctions sites etc.

Yes. Google searches work for some things, but much seems to be driven by various agendas. DuckDuckGo sold out as well. One needs to get creative with search engines these days to find things.

It’s not just you and I’ve noticed it as well with Duck, Duck, Go.

Finding good information used to be easy.

I was about to make the same bitch about DuckDuckGo. I input very good search parameters, but all I get are ads or results from one of the words I input. However, when I search on Google with the same search parameters what I'm looking for is usually one of the first five items.

If you haven't already, try the Google Advanced Search page. Link

It gives you a few more settings to help guide the search algorithm. One or more of those might help you get better results.

It depends upon what you're searching for. I find when doing image searches, Google tends to yield better results than other search engines.

Never use Google search, but funny you should mention that- encountered this today.

It's not that it sucks, they are doing what they want, manipulating you (and me and everyone).

Algorithms and all of that AI stuff.

Wonder if there is a forum of firearm enthusiasts who have for years offered curated insights for every inquiry every posted there?

That could easily replace Google.

I still like Google search for most things you just have to scroll past the first bunch of results which are paid ads.

Just understand that they exist to sell advertising and other products to collect fees. The actual search feature is just a byproduct.