Sorry this site requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser. See the following guide on How to enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox and Safari. Alternatively you may be blocking JavaScript with an advert-related or developer plugin. Please check your browser plugins.

Sphinn Home » Vertical Search
Google’s Hypocrisy: Search Spam and Map Spam
Vertical Search News Source: http://www.smallbusinesssem.com
Published: Nov 05, 2008 - 03:49 am
Story Found By: MattMcGee 1688 Days ago
Category: Vertical Search
When it comes to spam on Google.com and Google Maps, Google is talking out both sides of its mouth.
 Comments4 Comments  

Comments

Avatar
from mblumenthal 1688 Days ago #
Votes: 1

Dam the torpedos! There’s shucksterism, theft and snake oil in Maps and Google says: We believe in open communities Great post..<div></div><div>Mike Blumenthal</div>

Avatar
from MiriamEllis 1688 Days ago #
Votes: 0

A no-nonsense post from Matt McGee. Right on target. I guess I’m not the only one who found Google’s response to Mike & Danny a little hard to swallow.Miriam

Avatar
from willscott 1688 Days ago #
Votes: 1

"Open communities" = arrogance in one’s ability to craft an algorithm.  Just goes to show that there are limits to what one can do without human intervention, no matter how smart the computers or programmers.

Avatar
from earlpearl 1687 Days ago #
Votes: 0

Nice comments, Matt.  I read through the post.  I think its more than hypocrisy; IMV its a decision to avoid direct responsibility and create a viable customer service section that responds to complaints and errors.At its most serious there are potential health issues as Miriam referenced, and has happened before, wherein Duke University Hospital was overwhelmed with calls to wrong numbers, or theft issues, as Mike has referenced in the case of florists and others.Google is the overwhelming market leader in the web.  Visitors use google’s SE to find businesses and answers to local issues.  Ever since Universal Search became an element of Google’s presentation for users of google.com the amazing variety of mistakes and now the issue of open editing of entities within Google Maps has led to a vast array of problems.Google doesn’t claim the sites listed within Maps as direct customers and thereby "sees no need to supply direct customer service".  On the other hand the content provided by Google Maps creates opportunities to place a myriad of PPC ads that generates a lot of income for Google.  It might be indirect, but the world they created is a new form of a business relationship in some form.  At its worst it is creating opportunities and examples of theft, or potentially horrible health problems.The explanation of a "wiki" form of community participation as currently applied simply doesn’t work.  It simply extends an opportunity to steal from businesses or can result in dangerous situations.Google just announced they are walking away from the potential agreement with Yahoo.  The reasons include the fact that the Justice Dept was astonishingly willing to look at this agreement as one that could violate "anti-trust" issues.  My gawd.  In this environment the Justice Dept hasn’t considered a business being anti-trust for years and years.It is, as willsott referenced, arrogant.  It needs further investigation, IMHO.Dave

Upcoming Conferences

Search Marketing ExpoSearch Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »

Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Latest News From Marketing Land
Upcoming Webcasts

Digital Marketing Depot Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Digital Marketing Depot. Upcoming online events include:


Webcasts:
Research:
Whitepapers:

See More Topics

Latest News From Search Engine Land