Google plans to improve the results of internet news searches by ranking results according to quality rather than date and relevance to search terms, reports NewScientist (via PaidContent), citing patents filed in the U.S. and elsewhere by Google researchers. Apparently, the search giant plans to build a database that will compare the track record and credibility of all news sources around the world. Story ranks will be determined in part by a wide variety of factors, such as average story length, number of reporters employed by the publication and frequency of stories published.

Patent filings also suggest that this system may be used for other types of search rankings. The system could be used for shopping rankings or even its website search rankings.

The inclusion of more and more variables into Google's search algorithms - in addition to increasing relevance generally - also decreases the return on search engine optimization efforts by publishers. The message from Google: good content will be rewarded.