For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Googles web search. Its the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions. The new infrastructure sits under the hood of Googles search engine, which means that most users wont notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so were opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback.

The sandbox URL for the new update is http://www2.sandbox.google.com " Check it out and see if you notice any difference with your rankings. Please post any interesting findings as a comment on this article.

So, this article would not be complete if I didnt include Matt Cutts take on the Caffeine update. WebProNews Mike McDonald conducted a video interview with Matt Cutts a day after the news on Caffeine broke.

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Reasonable Assumptions

• Google is releasing this update to elicit user feedback, in part, to prevent another Florida Update debacle; where a landslide of algorithmic changes near the Christmas season caused an outcry from website owners.
• As Matt said the update will be rolled out slowly which, from a website owners perspective, could be good news. After all, a measured roll-out can make it easier to determine the ranking factors that change and will allow you to adapt if need be.
• The tone of Matts interview suggests there will be some targeted fallout. For example, he noted if you have good architecture you will not have to worry about Caffeine

Look out for some future posts where I will link to various findings from myself and others who are testing the new architecture.

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