Google China will no longer forward to Google Hong Kong

An update on China

[bill]

China is not happy with Google's forwarding of google.cn traffic to their Hong Kong site. If they want to keep their ICP license they will have to change this.

An update on China [googleblog.blogspot.com]

We have therefore been looking at possible alternatives, and instead of automatically redirecting all our users, we have started taking a small percentage of them to a landing page on Google.cn that links to Google.com.hk—where users can conduct web search or continue to use Google.cn services like music and text translate, which we can provide locally without filtering. This approach ensures we stay true to our commitment not to censor our results on Google.cn and gives users access to all of our services from one page.

[zozzen]

[google.cn...]

the way they redirect is funny.

[J_RaD]

uh oh google, china doesn't like your landing page quality score. Fix it quick or they will terminate you.

:-D

[shri]

Thank you! We can now improve our conversions and waste a lot less money on adwords.

[badbadmonkey]

the way they redirect is funny.

HAHAHAH

[Hugene]

This won't fly for a second with the Chinese government. This is like an insult to them: no more automatic re-direct, now just click anywhere. Big mistake IMHO

[J_RaD]

yea what is this some kind of joke?

really stupid move.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

I have to side with China on this one, Google needs to obey the rules or forfeit their license and not do business in China.

Google isn't above the law, good for China on being strong on this one. What the heck is going on with Google that they'd assume they can ignore Chinese law and use less than wholesome business practices?

Chinese law isn't up for debate here and seeing Google try to side-step it is revealing of the mindset of G's leadership (regardless of reason). This will only get worse if Google doesn't comply, if G gets sued for damages by China... lets just say even Google isn't big enough to take on the world. There's a potential here that G drags companies it lists in its index into the frey. Ignoring foreign government is a stupid move G.

I don't want to pay higher adwords fees and earn less in adsense and see more ads above natural serps to pay for your fight either Google so knock it off, now.

[J_RaD]

[cnn.com...]

I like how CNN lies about this "importanted added layer" saying you have to click on the goog.hk link when in fact if you click ANYWHERE you go. *tsk*tsk*

but i wouldn't expect much more from a news site that has a section called goog 24/7.

[badbadmonkey]

It's like they're taking the p!ss.

Possibly they expect China to refuse their license regardless, and this is a barely disguised two fingered salute.

Plus it'll get them some pro-free-speech headlines, "we tried to compromise but they still shut us down".

Or they're banking that the Chinese responsible actually want to help them, but can't because of the law, and are trying to give them a loophole?

Chinese law isn't up for debate here and seeing Google try to side-step

All law should be permanently up for debate, and trying to side-step existing law is a good way of having that debate, frankly. So nothing necessarily wrong with Google trying it on.

[Nuttakorn]

I am planning for SEO strategy for China market, but the situation still not clear yet, about cn and hong kong , if they will permanent moved to hong kong site, it means chinese language will be traditional instead of simplified. Do you have any idea about this?

[tntpower]

Stupid web page.

If I had an AdSense page (click anywhere on the page and you will be redirected) like google.cn, G$ will ban me shortly.