Searching For The American Idol

If Internet buzz is any indication of the future—and it's not, mind you, unless Ron Paul really will get the Republican nomination—David Cook is your next American Idol. According to search metrics and questionable phone measurements, Cook edged out David Archuleta by the slimmest margin in Idol history.

We can start with our own metrics (sort of) by looking at Bill Tancer, did a much more in-depth analysis of search terms, including name variations and search query natures. (Yes, search queries have natures. Hang on and I'll tell you.) Tancer writes:

"Of the 325 searches that we analyzed for David Cook, there is a strong interest in his music, as well as the plight of his brother who is battling cancer. While David Archuleta leads in volume of searches, the nature of the 231 searches on his name that we analyzed show a negative focus on the contestant's meddling father."

Ooh, Tancer. Papa Archuleta is so coming after you for that one. Bill gives the edge, only slightly, to Cook.

DialIdol has its own method, using software to measure the length of time Idol voting lines stay busy. They've got Cook winning by a margin of ten points. And if the now famed "kiss of death" is true, all the judges being in Archuleta's corner last night spells doom, too. It also means their ear for marketability is finer tuned than their ear for actual sounds.

You'd be hard-pressed to find consistency in gambling odds. Most, which set the odds before last night show, seem to favor Cook as well. But last-minute adjustments see the "underdog" Archuleta taking over. So, since the Internet picked Ron Paul and the one I like never wins, I'm calling Archuleta the winner, for no good reason at all. Besides,

Suggest a Correction

Found an error or have a suggestion? Let us know and we'll review it.

Your Name *

Your Email *

Correction Details *

Submit Correction