But the fun doesn't end there; users can also choose to make a bit of cash in the process. By signing up for Google's AdSense program, anyone can earn a portion of the revenues generated through their search engine's traffic - at the expense, of course, of populating their site with Google text ads.
The Custom Search Engine will undoubtedly emerge as an invaluable tool for companies to better meet the needs of their customers. But rest assured that the program is not just for businesses - it's for anyone who'd like to express and expand upon a particular area of interest, while allowing others to do the same.
"We want to make it easy for anyone to create a search engine about all of their favourite topics, without needing a Ph.D.," said Marissa Mayer, Google's vice president of Search Products and User Experience. "Everyone - businesses, organizations, moms, dads, teenagers, and teachers - can harness the power of Google technology to create a personalized search experience that reflects specific knowledge and interests."
For example, if you're a nature enthusiast or take particular interest in outdoor activities such as hiking or camping, you can create a search engine on your website which relates to hiking trails, national parks and campsites; when people conduct searches on your site, all resulting information will be relevant to that area of interest. You can share your personal experiences with people while furthering knowledge on something you're passionate about. It's as simple as that.
To get an idea of how the Google Custom Search Engine can spruce up your site, take a peek at realclimate.org. The site focuses on providing reliable, expert opinions on science and climate change. And by way of Google's Custom Search Engine program, RealClimate has incorporated other sites into its forum - thus, optimising its effectiveness and furthering its objective.
Gavin Schmidt, one of the individuals who helps run the site, commented, "since this topical subject [of climate change] has become rather politicized, the quality of information available on the Web is very variable, ranging from the excellent to the atrocious...[but] with the Custom Google Search facility, we are able to create a searchable subset of the Web that in our expert judgment provides solid and reliable information."
The process of creating your own search engine is as easy as pie. After choosing a relevant name and providing a brief description of your search engine, you'll need to appoint a set of keywords that describe its content or subject; these are the 'micro-tools' which will ultimately fine tune the results supplied by your search engine. You can then pick a list of related sites for Google to 'consult' with when producing your search engine's results - or simply choose to have Google produce results found solely on your own page. And that's it; you've got a search engine in five minutes. It's that easy. And once your search engine is created, you can always go back to make amendments, add details or customize its look and functionality further; create search refinements, exclude or include certain sites, add logos, change your page's appearance and, of course, include an AdSense code to start making money.
Google has somewhat exemplified the power of the web ever since its initial unveiling some eight years ago; and it has essentially shared that power with its users by means of search. And why not? After all, the top feature on Google's list of 'ten truths' is: 'focus on the user and all else will follow.' But Google seems to have taken things even further with the new Custom Search Engine program - that is, in terms of expression and communication. And in view of Google's mission 'to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible to all', it's apparent that the leading search engine has come out about its recognition that some of the most valuable information it can get its hands on is stored in - and generated through - none other than its users.
