walkman - 9:27 pm on Jul 20, 2011 (gmt 0)

It won't change anything, but I will go down making one big effing noise about it.

:)

Have you looked at a local result lately? WHY does Joe-The-Local-Plumber need a website anymore? In most cases, they don't... Google gives them a places page and the free tools to manage everything about their company. (BUT, more importantly) Google ALSO assures that their places will outrank almost all other websites in organic search! All we can do is find a way to work within the parameters of the Google system, and add-value to our clients so they keep us on.

Not just that but they are pandalizing small business sites--among other sites: If you have no how-to-articles you need more content. if you have content it's not unique, as if they are 10 million ways of writing about an ear ache or how to fix your kitchen sink. It's a perfect scam. Sadly, somehow they own the most popular gateway to the internet and they will use it to the max to maximize their earnings. Until someone in the EU or USA does something we are screwed.

As for partners: See Apple, Schmidt was even on their board as Google planned their destruction. Apple can of course fight back, we...?