e-Vents

[ Saturday ]

 

Trouble in Google-dise
--
Is it really a matter of Google standing up for the right to privacy of its users, or is it more simply, a concern over the government and Google's competitors having information about Google's operations and databases? More than likely the latter, rather than the former. And why shouldn't they be concerned? Why shouldn't we all be concerned?
--
The truth of the matter is that we should all be concerned about our online privacy. And it should begin with our use of search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. Google saves every web page, every e-mail, and every search request that it comes across, and at 3000 searches per second on Google alone, that adds up to a tidy sum. In that mountain of information is data about you, what your online preferences are, what you are viewing online, and so on. Sites like Zaba compile information from public databases and list personal information about individuals which may not be widely known, and could be used in discriminating ways by other individuals and businesses.
--
But another point about Google should also be made clear. The search results obtained when using Google are not entirely accurate. Perform a search on Google, and then compare the results to the same keyword or phrase search on Yahoo, MSN, All the Web, and others, and you may find one company listed in the top 5 on Yahoo, and not visible in the top 100 results on Google. So what, you might say. But to companies who do not appear on the first few results pages, it is costly. How else might someone find this organization other than by comparing search results from different sources?
--
The reason for these discrepancies is intentional, according to search professionals, known as SEOs. Google not only changes its search algorithm from time to time, but also penalizes companies and organizations which cross-link to their main website from other sites within their organization. That may not matter to a widely-known brand like Coca-Cola, but to small boutique firms and mom-and-pops, it can be very costly. But Google doesn't publish any rules stating that 'ten cross-links will get you penalized.' They just simply de-list you for six weeks or six months.
--
The lesson here should be a simple one, as the saying goes...don't put all of your eggs in one basket (i.e.: Google or any other portal). Be careful how you go about surfing the net, and what information you disclose. Use 'tor' instead of Google, Yahoo, MSN, et cetera when you want to anonymously browse the web or certain sites. And don't rely solely on Google when performing online searches. Competition is healthy for them, too.

MM [17:46]