Almost since its inception around the turn of the century, I have favoured Google for search results because of their relevancy.  For years there was no one who even came close to finding the pages which answered my questions as well as Google.

When Google first turned to Adwords for advertising, I thought it was a good and useful idea.  The concept of putting advertising for the same key phrases that surfers were using was a perfect match.  Putting those with goods to sell on the same pages as those searching for those same goods and services was a natural but powerful process.

Originally Google handled the way it delivered articles in a very  professional and complimentary manner.  The organic search results were on the left side of the page and the advertisements were in a narrower column down the right of the page - as they still are.

Even when they put a few advertisements across the top of the page it didn't seem too bad.  The top advertisements were on a light blue background and clearly marked as "sponsored links".

But today they have hit a complete low in their business model.  Now we have a Google map under the top 3 ads with 3 more ads for companies in the geographical area of the search.  Down the right side we have more ads.  What is clear from the screenshot below is that on the first fold of this page there are no organic search results. 

Google has really shot themselves in the foot this time.  Not only have they taken away the reason I use Google in the first place (meaningful organic results), but they have taken up the useful space with something I will never use ( a map).

When I want to send flowers on the internet it will always be to a distant city.  I already have a florist I would use for local flower delivery.  Even if it was my city and I didn't have a florist already, I would be surfing the net for the purpose of viewing their flower arrangements to find something that would fit in with my purpose in sending flowers.

But I would have no intention of visiting their flower shop.  Why would I?  If they have a shopping cart, I can order with just a few clicks.  Some I might telephone on their toll free number and order the arrangement verbally.  All from the comfort of my computer without ever wasting gas to drive to a florist's location, paying for parking , and spending extra time to choose and pay for an arrangement.

In this case Google missed the mark even further.  I was looking for Cambridge Ontario, and Google gave me a map for Google England.  NOT even a good guess, as I was searching from an IP address which is obviously Canadian.

Despite its motto to 'don't be evil', Google has come very close.  In their search for extra billings, they have completely destroyed the means to their success (meaningful search results).

For my part, I am going to do my voting with my feet.  Until I hear that Google has removed this abomination I will be doing ALL my searching using Yahoo.