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Scared, that is, that their prized algorithms, the code by Google produces results to nearly three-quarters of all Web searches, have been cracked. Or could be.
How else to explain the lavish Helsinki Summit-like charade of good will and cheer at Google's second annual Dance... ...Why would Google throw a party for search-engine optimizers, a bunch of internet coders and marketers dedicated, essentially, to exploiting Google's weaknesses?"
The article goes on to compare the Google Dance (party) to Nixon inviting Communist spies for brunch in the Rose Garden.
It also explains the other dance, a bit about cloaking, and that some SEOs are ethical, some not.
Only one attendee is quoted in the article... Micah Baldwin, who suggests Google might be using the terminals in the tent at the dance to test a new algo. Which leads to the end of the article..
"That sounds more like Helsinki to us: You game me. I'll game you. Paranoia rules. That's the real dance."
According to this page [fastcompany.com], it will be online, but isn't yet.
Schmoozing With the Enemy
How does Google deal with folks who try to trick its search engine? By throwing them a party, of course.
[fastcompany.com...]
Thanks for the summary Lilliabeth.
Beat me to it...sorry
Fast Company 's archives are still available as they always have been. The full content of the current issue is no longer available IMMEDIATELY upon publication, but will be placed online at a LATER date as a courtesy to our subscribers and newstand buyers.
The Oct issue is online.
Micah Baldwin, who suggests Google might be using the terminals in the tent at the dance to test a new algo
Who's that idiot? ;)
Its always funny when you see several of your comments spliced into one. I was referring to Brin's comment that they are currently testing 6 algos and that its making Google appear to be broken to my grandmother.
But, I do agree with the sentiment of the article, its certainly interesting to see a 1998-esque party for the people who spend a boat of money on adwords, and those that are trying to "beat" Google at its own game.
You know search must be big when trade mags report on parties that Google throws.
Its a very short article (maybe 1/3 of a page), but Russell Simmons is on the cover.
The article goes on to compare the Google Dance (party) to Nixon inviting Communist spies for brunch in the Rose Garden.
A shame SEOs are constantly stereotyped as cloakers, hackers, spammers, and spies. Google knows good SEO makes them better. Why not celebrate it? I equate it to Nixon inviting Communist double-spys for lunch.
A shame SEOs are constantly stereotyped as cloakers, hackers, spammers, and spies. Google knows good SEO makes them better. Why not celebrate it? I equate it to Nixon inviting Communist double-spys for lunch.
There is a quote from a Google spokesperson who says that Google likes good SEOs.
The discussion began about the diferrence between white hat and black hat SEO. Its interesting, but not surprising, that the tenor of the article is focused on cloakers attending Google's party.
There is a quote from a Google spokesperson who says that Google likes good SEOs.
Doubtful.
"Keep Your Friends Close, But Your Enemies Closer"
So besides the spammers, cloakers etc. I think google encourages good optimization.
Just my two cents though..
GoogleGuy
I enjoyed the article, but it seemed to play up "us vs. them" way too much in my opinion. We invited people attending the Search Engine Strategies conference to join us at the Google Dance; having the magazine call all the attendees to a conference "the enemy" just seems off to me.
When we began the discussion it was about doing SEO the "right" way and how the engines have to realize that good SEO folks really do have the desire to make the index better, by making sure that relevant pages arent invisible to the engines.
I spent probably 2.5 hrs explaining all the different aspects of SEO from the very positive, to how some folks employ actions that can be considered unethical to affiliate marketing.
It was disappointing to see that out of all that, the focus was on this "us v. them" concept and that the author put together several of my comments into two very "paranoid" comments, and never called to confirm the quote. After all, it certainly didnt make me look like the sharpest knife in the shed.
In all honesty, many of the engines I have dealt with are very responsive to questions and suggestions on how to optimize properly. (In fact, a client of mine sent an email to support@google.com to ask about frames, and got a well written answer with links to examples and everything. Needless to say, he was rather pleased).
But, as we all know, simple and easy and correct doesnt sell, rather there has to always be some sinister conspiracy...which is just too bad, since there is so many interesting things about the industry and the technology.
