The following is one of the better explanations I’ve read (thanks for sharing, Scoble) of how the number of search engine results are calculated. In this case, it’s from Scott Johnson at Feedster:

Like many search engines, the values that Feedster displays for the number of search results a particular query produces is an estimate derived from a statistical analysis of a segment of our search database and then extrapolated. And, unfortunately, like any statistical technique, sometimes this works quite well and sometimes it, well, doesn’t work quite as nicely.

Well said, Scott!

Now hopefully you folks will develop an RSS ad program that doesn’t require the publisher redirecting the RSS feed to Feedster for ad insertion and delivery to the end user.

I was all set and actually quite excited about using their Feedster RSS ad program until I learned that I had to redirect my RSS feed through them for delivery. After I told their engineer that wasn’t going to work for this blog, I haven’t heard another word from them. I guess I’m the only one that found this process to be unacceptable?

Solution: give us an API and we can work in the ads where we want them ourselves, please. I’m not going to open up readers to ads that we have little to no control over things like placement and orientation. Take a look at what happens when ad control shifts out of the direct publisher’s control.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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