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Went Hot: December 18, 2007 - 9:33 am
Posted By: mvandemar 150 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://smackdown.blogsblogsblogs.com)
Category: Google Other
15 Comments
Went Hot: December 18, 2007 - 9:33 am
Posted By: mvandemar 150 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://smackdown.blogsblogsblogs.com)
Category: Google Other
15 Comments
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Comments
It's not surprising the reference to "For your own safety, you should insist on a full and unconditional money-back guarantee" about hiring an SEO firm was removed. After all, Performics doesn't offer that, to my knowledge. And Google is still on track to own Performics as part of the DoubleClick accusation. If they fail to divest themselves of the company -- which they should -- I expect we'll see other changes get implemented.
For example, over here:
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35291
"Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee rankings, allege a "special relationship" with Google, or advertise a "priority submit" to Google."
Well, Peformics IS going to have a special relationship, by virtue of being owned by Google. I'm not saying they'll pitch themselves to clients this way, nor that they'll actually have any advantages -- but you bet, that's a special relationship.
"While Google doesn't comment on specific companies, we've encountered firms calling themselves SEOs who follow practices that are clearly beyond the pale of accepted business behavior."
Um -- guess what. You want a Google comment on Performics? Call Performics. They'll be owned by Google. They'll tell you positive things about themselves (as you'd expect -- and I DO like the folks there). But you bet, that's going to be Google talking about a specific SEO firm.
"Ethical SEO firms report deceptive sites that violate Google's spam guidelines."
So can we assume that Performics will now be working with Google to regularly report spam they spot? Because if not, then Google will be calling its own future SEO firm unethical.
To reiterate, Google does NOT own Performics yet. But they've given no indication that they will split off the company. And they really should.
Danny, did you see my post discussing the fact that Performics has clients that use TLA's...?
Google Owns SEO Company Whose Top Clients Use Text Link Ads To Improve Rankings
I didn't, but I do now. And yep, it underscores what an issue this is going to be for both Google and Performics, if they indeed merge. Google's going to have to worry about everything Performics does; Performics will have to be hypersensitive that they don't somehow violate a Google guideline.
No, they will be hypersensitive that they don't get caught doing it. :P
/jaded
The new wording seems much more sensible, but your additional suggestions look to be even better.
The reconsideration wording is a little softer, but I agree it is still effectively admitting guilt.
I much prefer your new wording, it wouldn't be hard for that to be implemented
I think it's fairly safe to say that the SEO part of Performics will be sold off first. In fact, if you look at the latest job title changes from within Performics you might well reassure yourself that Google's not going to hang on to that unit.
The suggested wording for reinclusion is much more palatable than the current offering. It would make me feel like less of a naughty schoolboy...
They could always have Rand be the face man for the firm, then everyone will expect nothing but top notch White Hat SEO. :D
All I did was send an email; the webmaster team in Kirkland did the actual work (thank you, folks!). They were doing this most recent push, so they only had the ability to delete text from the reconsideration request form in this round.
But I like Michael's suggested wording, and I'll ask whether we could change that text. Michael, would you mind if we used that wording?
Can someone point Michael over here and see if he minds if we use that wording at some point in the future?
Matt - Michael's internet service is down, Donna's calling him so he can answer but it may be a bit, he'll have to go to his sister's.
Matt - of course you can. Sorry it took so long to reply.
I think 2008 is going to be the year when we finally have to concede that Google owns the world and we either put up with it or move to another universe. I think it would be foolish of Google to keep Performics as an SEO Compnay and they are not known for their foolishness. The Company would be under such scrutiny and subject to such intense criticism that it woulld be hard for them to function.
This re-wording seems to be a very tough challenge for "the webmaster team in Kirkland". They couldn't make it in almost 2 months.