Google's motto is 'Do No Evil' but lately it seems to be acting much more like another technology titan - Microsoft. At least Microsoft never pretended to be a good guy.
Google has been squashing competition and running smaller players out of business. Today, Techcrunch reported that Google has shifted its algorithim to penalize Bloggers who use the PayPerPost service to generate revenue. PayPerPost, for those of you who don't know, is a controversial service that pays Bloggers to write about certain products or services. Many don't agree with the ethics but for Google to specifically target the company is wrong.
If you're a webmaster then you know just how powerful Google has gotten. Many compain about being kicked out the AdSense program for no reason or for having their site sandboxed (tech terms for being removed from the main Google index). Google changes its search algorithm at will, often downgrading a site abribrarily.
Google is an independent company and has the right to do this. But we as individuals should be aware of its power and realize that a Web controlled by Google is not a good place. In addition, anyone trying to make money from the Web shouldn't rely on Google or its programs. They've shown that they can be very capricious in their actions.
I for one will only use Yahoo or MSN for doing my online searches. For me, the Google brand has been severaly tarnished. 'Do No Evil' no longer rings true.
Related Articles:
Google Poised to Bid Big for Wireless Spectrum by soczie - Jul 20, 2007
Ballmer Puts Google on the Ropes with Micro-Hoo by soczie - Feb 02, 2008
FCC Caves in to Google and Votes in Favor of Open Access by JRodgers - Aug 01, 2007.
