Comments on: The Dangers of Genetic Optimization

By: Jesse Farmer

Jesse Farmer — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:49:51 +0000

My point was that you didn't learn anything about your customers that can be applied in a different tactical situation. You don't know anything about their motivations, their interests, or their state of mind.

So, although you get one result (increased revenue) you also lose something of value (verifiable knowledge about your customers). There's a tradeoff there, and perhaps you're willing to make it.

By: Someone

Someone — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:36:54 +0000

“There's no learning”? From a business point of view, there is. You found a way to increase revenues with little effort. That trick is worth remembering.

By: Traffic Geyser

Traffic Geyser — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:24:26 +0000

I never thought of this one before, thanks for bringing this up, you gave me loads of ideas that I can use in the future.

By: SEO Test

SEO Test — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:42:17 +0000

Yap thats very cool.

By: Jesse Farmer

Jesse Farmer — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:32:11 +0000

Greg,

Very cool. I'll keep an eye out.

I'd love to meet up some time. You're in SF, right? Are you ever down in the peninsula?

By: gregdingle

gregdingle — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:23:32 +0000

Hi Jesse, the black box aspect of genetic algorithms are definitely a drawback. I've just launched genetify as an open-source project.

http://github.com/gregdingle/genetify/wikis/home

I'm hoping people will incorporate different testing and optimization algorithms into it so you can pick one to suit your purpose.

By: Jamaal

Jamaal — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:01:14 +0000

Or can you apply it properly to this one? The world isn't linear, and combinations still matter.