I smell BS.

"We understand that newspapers are currently being contacted by Google and being asked to remove links": care to share a source? Can any newspaper rep. confirm this?

Everfluxx, I consider DaveN, and Bronco as well, a trusted source. Even when he can't reveal his tipster, I'm sure we'll get more info pretty soon. Even the lack of a denial from Google delivers information.

> I'm sure we'll get more info pretty soon

That's just what I asked for. Looking forward to reading it...

Assuming this is correct, obviously press releases are being used to game the system.  I think we've seen enough examples of Google shutting down stuff (IE Afflilliates).  Its pretty  disingenuous & insincere of newspapers to try to get away with this.

How to game game system. (Before Google Warning):

A) Write press release - distribute all over planet

B) See what ranks

C) Sell Ads on ranked materials (months later) - by cleverly seeding content inside article - or faking comments

D) Yes it ranks, but it obviously stinks!

As an aside I'm curious what will happen with DEMAND MEDIA which pays very little to churn out content automation and then charges its customers an obscene amounts to rent out the pages, essentially doing the same thing the newspapers do!

All the newspapers have to do is make sure they place ads along with relevant articles, when the article is written, or make bloody sure that the advertiser and the content are actually relevant.  Thats all that Google wants.

My 2 cents

Searchengineman

Another post that takes a major leap with their conclusion.

From the article:

do we continue to pour time and budget into drafting and distributing these if we are just going to be penalised for it?

How is removing links in articles a penalty?

OK as many of you know, I use to place ads in newspapers. They would place links to my site and send me consumers. Well, suddenly the links are gone. They says, google told us. Hey, we had to take them down sorry. I say, put the links back up. Otherwise maybe google can pay your bills by cutting you a check, because you are not going to see anymore of my money.

I need links to get customers, and customers to make sales, and sales to survive.