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Sphunn, but I don't think I agree with the assessment. I'd personally block those pages since you're not just adding screenshots, but full dupes of cached results. Why did you need the source vs a screenshot?
Google's guideline may be for large automated search results pages, but I think the bottom line is they don't want to send anyone to something that makes the individual drill down further. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I do see where the issue is taken to a completely different level by not just providing search results, but using Google's own results.
I know why you did it, but Google can't measure intent, at least not that well.
As for the entire subdirectory getting deindexed, that's a bit harsh, but so is using "Google's" content. If you're going to continue using pages like that place them in their own subdirectory and block the whole thing keeping your images and posts separate.
Just my .02 and interested in seeing other's responses.
lol, I agree with the latter.
Responding to your Twitter question, let me be clear that I don't think this should be a violation. Ideally they should deindex just those pages, but not the entire subdirectory. I'm playing devil's advocate though.
I'd be interested in hearing from Google if they're sophisticated enough to separate pages like this from full subdirectories. I think their arguement would be that most site owners aren't web savvy enough to do what you did, so it throws a spam flag when they find it. With that in mind they would also probably argue that someone with your level of understanding should be able to make adjustments to avoid this problem.
Again, just playing devil's advocate. As an individual with a harmless situation, you have to see how this behavior can quickly become abused and understand Google's sensitivity towards it. They can't measure intent that well. Best protection from the angry Google toddler... prevention. Keep him fed, rested and changed and you reduce the chances of temper tantrums.
;-)
ps - I love how either Jason or a misguided supporter are spamming every Sphinn story or blog post about the subject. Yyyyaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
Because some random idiot hiding behind a ficticious name brought nothing of value to the table besides a comment about how cool Jason is, my mind has totally changed. Rock on!
A third enters the ring: http://www.rheadrysdale.com/blog/seo-trademark-notice-of-opposition/
I couldn't agree more with cre8pc. There's never going to be a line in the sand and his attempt is either completely misguided or he really is doing it to profit. Either way I was terrified to learn he got so close to doing it and I'm thankful to Sarah for the discovery/research and everyone else that filed a NOO.
utah - It isn't linkbait unless we link to him. =)
@mvandemar - All "SOMEONE" really has to do..... you should be that someone.
The world isn't short good ideas, but people to act upon those rather than stand righteously indignant.
We don't need Google to punish them... they're still living with the memory of this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiZ7RTmby-Y
As for "giving something which has a cash value in exchange for a link" I think that's a little off-base with this particular example. Number one... what's the real cash value? Encyclopedia Britannica is like the housing market, just because they gave something an over-inflated value, doesn't mean it'll go for that. Number two... there's no requirement that a user link to Britannica for the service. If you choose to link to them then you've presumably written a post that's topical and enriched by the widget; it's not like I have to embed a link to socket wrenches in my blog about Britney Spears.
I personally like the concept and hope it gives Wikipedia a kick in the balls. I doubt that will happen, but I love the idea of embedding a quick reference to a topic instead of having to link to sitethatmustnotbenamed.
There goes my little bubble of happiness.
On the plus side, maybe all of the obnoxious "social media experts" will shut the hell up finally.
If something works.... TELL THE WHOLE WORLD! It'll just keep working forever and ever and ever... Google's full of idiots.
Yayyyyyyyyyyy!
@mvandemar - I read the same as graywolf about them targeting specific users and have a few thoughts on how they'll do it, too. I'm more curious though about the impact one to three iterations deep of social submissions on non-major sites.
"we will be targetting mainly a small minority of prolific bookmarkers with a new algorithm that looks at linking patterns over time."
Picard all the way! Even if I didn't grow up on Next Generation I'd still think Picard rocked. Kirk was way too careless with the crew and his position.
Then again, maybe I'm just slanted because I love "Earl Grey. Hot."
Story: SEO Osmosis Quiz
lol, that's true. He did a pretty good job given the concepts. I like to beat him down though... physically, emotionally, etc. It's only to compensate for my areas of inadequacy, which by far out number his. :)
Dehydration... definitely the best way to lose weight. Unfortunately, drunken stupors lead to fried chicken on top of waffles (Rand) and that never helps...
Story: Death of SEO Transparency
Qwerty - I wasn't implying that those that learn from SEOs are leeches as everyone has to start somewhere. The separation occurs when an individual does so without contributing anything of value themselves or they water down the fundamentals with their take on expert findings. I hope you didn't take the article personally, it wasn't meant to be a jab, rather a challenge.
Justilien - HI!!! Long time no speak. Glad you liked the leeches.
BWelford - Good point... I know lots of people that can read a recipe and still manage to ruin dinner!
Wow this submission has been slow... anyways, I'm reposting the comments I left on Shoe's post:
I wouldn’t have known about this post if not for Twitter. I also wouldn’t have known about Danny coming on your show. I’ve subscribed to the feed, but frankly too many feeds result in noise over-kill and I turn to Twitter as a source for instant industry gratification.
Through Twitter I get immediate responses to questions like… does anyone have a LinkedIn contact? Has anyone worked with Red Dot? Why does Oilman keep shouting boobies?
The responses took less than 2 mins!! For anyone with ADD or just a lot on their plate, that kind of instant response is invaluable.
Of course there’s a ton of noise, but it’s easy enough to ignore the topics that don’t pertain to you. Keep your followers down and you won’t be bombarded with obnoxious chit-chat. Keep those you follow down to a trusted resources and you’re golden.
Bottom line - Twitter is fun and distracting. When someone has a little self-control it can be a powerful tool.
ps - For anyone that’s saying they tried it and no one followed them… “if you build it they will come” doesn’t apply to business! Get off your butt and make connections with valuable resources and consider that if you have nothing to offer them why should they give a crap about your lonely little Twitter profile?
For those that say Twitter is only useful for social media gaming, you’re right, but that’s a small piece of the puzzle. Ahh! Get out of your self-inflated bubble and realize traditional marketing can and does still apply.
Ditto on ridiculous load time. In the future it might be better to have a "soft release" to counteract any issues. As someone with a busy schedule, but lots of respect for SEOmoz I wanted to take the quiz, but got so frustrated that I abandoned it and probably won't have time or the memory to attempt it again.
This is ironic considering my world is surrounded by the question right now.
My title is "Internet Marketing Manager" which takes away the SEO stigma, but still sounds web-savvy. Only confusion is that there's so much that could fall under the umbrella for some individuals and not others. As far as SEM vs SEO, the latter falls under the former, so it's easy to call yourself a Search Engine Marketer if stigma breaking is the point. Not sure about Traffic Acquisition as that sounds more spammy to me than SEO, but that's a personal opinion.
Would love to see a poll once you have a few more ideas from the peanut gallery.
@cre8pc - great point about needing a reason to stay with a community. I belong to a non-SEO industry message board and have managed to stick with it for six years. Considering that the number of other sites I joined, posted to and eventually left is in the dozens, I'm impressed by my commitment to the one. How come? Community. All of my local friends are on there and it remains a great source of humor, news and debate. I've gone months without posting before, but somehow, I always come back to it because I love the community.
On the other hand, MySpace was about defining just myself. I was able to post pics, music, interests, etc, but it was more difficult to interact with all of my friends at one time. Facebook helped a bit with the news feed and groups, but it's still ultimately about YOU. Who am I? What am I doing? How many zombie points do I have? Sure, I still use Facebook and interact with my friends, especially those that live out-of-town, but there's less appeal once you've caught up with everyone.
I don't think MySpace or Facebook will go away anytime soon, but I can see why the appeal for those who joined to force connections and garner some kind of professional respect is waining. You can only get from it as much as others and yourself put out and the amount of time wasted on Facebook in the early days can't be sustained long term.
Story: If Googleplex Employees Don’t Understand The Webmaster Guidelines, How Can They Expect Webmasters To Adhere To Them?