News Google delists bmw.de

[The_Pope]

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/02...delist_bmw_de/

Does anyone have *any* sympathy?

[Boon]

Personally I think it's a little hypocritical of Google considering the apparent deal made with AOL recently where they will reportedly "provide technical assistance so aol can create web pages that will appear more prominently in the search results list." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/17/te...rssnyt&emc=rss

I think the search engine aspect should be kept separate from other aspects of business. The fact the Google itself now seems willing to compromise on that principle means that it can't really take the higher ground on this, one, specific case even if it breaks a stated condition.

[Meanmotion]

Well, i suppose the point is that there is a difference between using the system and cheating the system. If the 'technical assitance' google provide to AOL is within their stated bounds then it's perfectly legit, whereas BMW were not.

[mclean007]

Personally I can't remember the last time I ever had to have recourse to a search engine other than Google, and part of the reason why I think they provide the most relevant search results is their hard line on sites which use dirty tricks to grease their way up the search rankings. If only they would de-list Kelkoo, Pricerunner et al, the world would be a better place

[The_Pope]

Interesting link, Boon - thanks. I haven't had time to read the full thing, but I spotted this bit:

If a user searches on Google for a topic for which AOL has content - like information about Madonna - there will be a special section on the bottom right corner of the search results page with links to AOL.com. Technically, AOL will pay for those links, which will be identified as advertising, but Google will give AOL credits to pay for them as part of the deal. They will also carry AOL's logo, the first time Google has agreed to place graphic ads on its search result pages.

Bottom right of the SERP - not anything to be too worried about then really.

[Boon]

Originally Posted by The_Pope

Interesting link, Boon - thanks. I haven't had time to read the full thing, but I spotted this bit:



Bottom right of the SERP - not anything to be too worried about then really.

IIRC that will be in addition to helping AOL rise up the ranks in the normal search. So the user will be treated to higher AOL websites in the normal search results page AND AOL targeted advertising results in the bottom right. I don't know what the search architecture couldn't be kept separate from the rest of the Google Pie.

Imagine if anyone could buy keyword search result ranking in Google so that instead of Adsense their page would rank higher, Google wouldn't last long and would quickly turn into a portal.

[webbyman]

personally i believe they deserved it, although i think they should be allowed to redeem themselfs somehow.

[ozstrike]

They did deserve it, but it's not like it matters so much. They probably have extra people coming to the site from clicking on links on news sites, and it's not like people don't know about the website now

[careyd]

Hey Geoff,

you wrote:
It seems the typical BMW driver's attitude of thinking they own the road extends to the Information Superhighway, as BMW.de has been caught violating Google's guidelines and have subsequently been delisted.

You know, it's pretty hard to take an article seriously when there is such a radically biased, amatuerish, juvenile opening line like that. I thought Wil was promising us better writing...better journalism? This certainly represents neither.

We're always working to keep bit-tech as professional and credible as anything you can buy in a newsagents.-Wil Harris

So I suggest, Geoff, that you keep your 'commentary' where it belongs...on the opinion pages.

[Risky]

Originally Posted by careyd

Hey Geoff,


You know, it's pretty hard to take an article seriously when there is such a radically biased, amatuerish, juvenile opening line like that. I thought Wil was promising us better writing...better journalism? This certainly represents neither.

What is racially biased about the comment? I find that BMW drivers of all races are equally unlikely to let the indicator stalk suffer excess wear.

[:: Phat ::]

radically, not racially biased.

BMW drivers are just as bad as any other driver on the road. You just notice BMW's more because we get stick.

[sinizterguy]

Bad drivers drive all makes of cars. BMW drivers are only more annoying to people who cant afford one of their own.

[Meanmotion]

Well, let's just say stereotypes have come about for a reason even if they don't always hold true. Anyway, BMW driver's aren't bad they just think they own the road, there's a difference.

P.S. It's so tempting to have a go at careyd for a complete over reacton, but forum rules etc. Spoil sports.

[Risky]

Originally Posted by :: Phat ::

radically, not racially biased.

Oops, misread the rant.

[taliban_raider]

Well BMW deserved it for knowingly cheating, and it says that they can take steps to get reinstated, so its not like it will adversely affect them longer than they make it. I would rather Google got rid of them altogether than gave me inaccurate results, but there are still allot of smaller fish doing exactly the same thing. As for the deal with AOL, I have not noticed anything that either means it is not in effect yet, or it is discrete and sensible enough to not disrupt my daily web searching.

OT/ As for the Bmw driver thing I drive an Alfa and as a result hang around on Alfa forums, the make of car often criticized the most for there drivers complete disregard for road rules and road curtesies. Having said that here in Australia I find Bmw drivers to be better than other non-Bmw drivers, extending the same curtesy as anyone else, and actually being able to drive there car properly. It is only the middle to old aged female Bmw drivers that are problems, but because there are less of these people in Bmws than other makes it is definitely not a Bmw users attitude problem.

[customh]

its back on the list, just searched for it