Google is experimenting with a controversial new feature that could change the way search results are indexed forever. Instead of relying solely on algorithmic methods to determine relevance, they’re injecting a Digg style voting system, which allows users to remove search results or reorder them as they see fit.

This should be quite worrying for Digg founder, Kevin Rose - who’s massively popular creation could become obsolete if Google decides to implement this sort of feature permanently, and not even Digg could take on the might of Google.

What’s more worrying, is the effect it could have on webmasters the world over, as tailoring search based on the unpredictable whim of the end-user could deal a killer blow to SEO as we know it.

You can predict patterns in traditional search rankings, but for anyone who’s tried to get onto the front page of Digg will know just how temperamental an audience can be when given this kind of freedom (which is no bad thing, except it’s much harder to predict.)

What do you think, are Google trying to innovate or monopolise? Who will benefit?

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