Delving into the intricacies of Google’s recent termination of its contract with Appen, the provider of Search Quality Raters, raises questions about the future of algorithm evaluation. Amidst speculation and conjecture, it is crucial to discern the actual implications of these developments.

Two predominant notions circulate within the SEO social media community regarding the aftermath of Google’s decision:

Google no longer requires quality raters.
The dismissal of search quality raters might signify Google’s intention to implement AI search quality raters on a broader scale.
Dispelling Misconceptions:
Contrary to the assumption that Google is completely doing away with search quality raters, it is essential to recognize that Google engages multiple companies, not solely Appen, for search quality ratings services. References to entities like Telus and RWS on platforms like Reddit suggest that Google continues to collaborate with various providers in this domain.

Speculation surrounds the possibility that Google’s termination of the Appen contract could be linked to the encouragement of Appen workers by a Google workers union to negotiate for higher wages, as reported by Forbes. The conjecture suggests a potential cost-cutting measure by eliminating Appen workers in proximity to the unionized Google workforce. However, it remains unclear whether this is a direct consequence or a coincidental occurrence amid Google’s broader layoffs, including engineering teams.

AI in the Realm of Search Quality Ratings:
While some SEOs speculated that the dismissal of Appen workers might pave the way for AI quality raters, opinions on Google’s current capabilities to replace human raters with AI vary. Some argue that Google may not possess the immediate ability but could potentially achieve this in the near future. Concerns arise among search marketers who fear the scalability of AI-driven quality ratings across the entire web, potentially impacting publishers negatively.

It is noteworthy that the anxiety surrounding the introduction of Google AI search quality raters may be misplaced, as Google has long employed machines, including AI, for webpage quality assessment. Existing systems such as the Helpful Content System, the Reviews System, and SpamBrain are examples of AI and algorithms already engaged in rating websites for search quality at scale.

The Future Outlook:

While uncertainties persist, it is essential to consider that AI training relies on datasets, and the work of human search quality raters contributes valuable data for machine learning. At present, Google has not completely phased out human raters, and existing AI systems coexist with human input for webpage evaluation. The prospect of Google entirely eliminating search quality raters remains speculative, and the current landscape indicates a parallel existence of human and AI-driven evaluations in the realm of search quality.