BBC want to build a search engine to rival Google
Talks are going on between the government and the BBC to determine just how much extra they can charge us for a TV license over the next few years. It’s all pretty standard stuff, improving digital services, more new programming etc. Standard until you find out that one of their plans is to build a search engine. It was buried down at the bottom of the digital services highlights, but the did mention it on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday. They clearly want a slice of Google’s pie. Who pays for this pie? The license payers of course. Now Google has taken years to develop, is completely free and is in my view the best search engine there is. I’m sure the BBC search engine will take years to develop, will probably cost a mint and is unlikely ever to be as good as Google. Why? Google do search. BBC do TV and radio. Stop stepping on toes BBC. Next thing you’ll be telling us the search engine business model is paid inclusion. HA!