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At the time of this idea's addition to the list, I believe that Google "believes" that it is best for me to see search results involving SAS Base code reference material for SAS version 9.2 when in fact I'm using version 9.4. Using Enterprise Guide to make Google queries will not ask Google to prefer 9.x over 9.2.  What I propose is that EG makes requests for the SAS reference webpages and explicitly includes the SAS base version, if applicable.

 

This is a good idea because, since this feature was turned on around SAS Base 9.2, a consequence is that Google will "default" to search for 9.2 refrerence material forever.  By  "default" I mean Google will choose search results based on its metrics which may be based on what links were clicked more often historically.  Since 9.2 links were searched so much more before than others, their prority may be placed at the top of the seach page more often.  Leaving this feature alone, it may be that Google will continue to give 9.2 versions of reference material webpages link priority as our users continually accept Google's first search result links (ussualy SAS 9.2), and so perpetuating the, IMO, falsely generated popularity of SAS 9.2 in Google searches. 

 

4 Comments
ChrisHemedinger
Community Manager

Thanks for the idea @PhilC.  In the long run, we're actually looking at this from the other way -- working our web/doc strategy so that the latest SAS doc rises in the search results ranks, regardless of how you search.  @CathyWarner and others on our web team have been working on this.

PhilC
Rhodochrosite | Level 12

Re: @ChrisHemedinger,

Your solution will be good for those who can have the latest version of SAS software.  Said with a conscientious measure of sardonicism.

ChrisHemedinger
Community Manager
Status changed to: Not Planned

As I mentioned in my first update, lots of work going on in the online doc area to improve the "findability" of the most recent docs.  That's the approach that SAS is following for this suggestion.

PhilC
Rhodochrosite | Level 12

Thanks for the feedback, @ChrisHemedinger, @CathyWarner ( SIncerely )