Following reports earlier this year, Google have finally implemented the new ranking system on the popular Google News service.

For the past few days, websites which are considered "low grade" by the system have been appearing, automatically, below sites such as the BBC and CNET News, even if the stories from the recognized sites were written the day before.

Previously, the system allowed small, independent sites to take precedent over more mainstream ones if the smaller sites posted the most recent update.

In the process of cleaning up its news service, Google News has, in recent months, removed many of the smaller sites from it's news index.

Insiders say this is most likely due to quality control issues.

What a pity it all is. Google were unique in the way they allowed smaller companies, such as Boost and WebproNews, to be featured in Google News.

But now any organisation that doesn't have a large mainstream brand associated with it will be hard pressed to have their voice heard on Google.