GreenEye Wire

I’m sure you’ve heard about Google refusing to give up search data that the Bush Administration has subpoenaed.

The Mountain View-based search and advertising giant opposes releasing the information on a variety of grounds, saying it would violate the privacy rights of its users and reveal company trade secrets, according to court documents.

While everyone has latched onto the idea that Google is protecting its user’s privacy, I think people forgot to read the rest of the reason: “reveal company trade secrets”. The privacy part is a ruse used for publicity. Google is a corporation who takes care of itself, not a caring individual who wants to protect others.

I admit, when I read about Google or Microsoft or any other large company, I always think “OK. What in this action that they are doing behooves them?” Sure. Microsoft gives to many charities around the world to end diseases in third world countries. But would they do it if there was no tax benefit? I doubt it.

If you think about how much intellectual property Google houses, it is a marketer’s dream. Many marketers would give their left arm for such information. Google holds the keys to the castle and they know it. If this information is given to the government, at some point, it will be public domain. Suddenly, Google’s strategic information belongs to everyone else. Google was founded by geeks, who know how to use the web metrics they collect to their advantage. And, they are not about to hand those over.

However, Google may not have a choice. At some point they may have to hand over their data. But you can bet that they will drag their feet through the court system as long as possible.

Let me first say, this is a rant. I apologize in advance.

Apparently in google, you can bid on certain key phrases, but you can’t use them in your ppc ad.

For example, you can bid on the term ‘bulk email software’ and all terms similiar to that, but according to Google’s rules, that is deemed ‘unacceptable content’ around which to base your ad. Apparently, the phrase ‘bulk email software’ cannot be used in your ad copy. Even if that is what it is.

Granted, we all hate spam, but many of us also enjoy and subscribe to newsletters. Both are sent with software called “bulk email software’.

I have to tell you, I’m at a loss. I don’t get it at all.

There is a post at SearchEngineWatch.com titled Visitor Numbers Impact Algorithm, SERPs. Basically, there is a theory that google takes into consideration the number of visitors to a site and how long they stay as part of their ranking algorithm.

I’ve had this theory for years. But why I had the theory had nothing to do with a white paper, it had to do with a photograph that was taken during a tour of the Googleplex. (I’m digging for this photograph, all of the description comes from memory.) Read the rest of this entry »