Apology to GoogleGuy...

After reading WebGuerilla's post, I must say I was wrong about GGuy...

[Staza]

Over the past week, I had been pointing out my perception here at this forum that every time I saw GoogleGuy post something, it seemed to be a riddle that no one could decifer. I had concluded that GGuy had no intention of actually helping us, but rather was playing with us for his own amusement.

Upong reading the post by WebGuerilla ([webmasterworld.com ]) and seeing ALL the posts together that GGuy posted here in this forum since this whole goofy update started, I must say that I had this cat pegged wrong.

It now is clear to me that GGuy has been stating a very common theme all along and repeating himself several times to those who didnt catch it before. I guess I was one of those people that just caught snippets of phrases he would make and missed other parts.

He has clearly been telling us what this fiasco is all about, and, sure enough, everything he's said has panned out.

I actually found myself becoming relieved the more I listened to his continual message of "relax and be patient... this all will settle". I now find myself feeling grateful to GGuy for trying to ease the suffering of so many in this forum who's livelihoods depend on Google search results staying fresh and truly relevant.

Thanks WebGuerilla for taking the time to compile all those GGuy posts... and thanks GGuy for putting up with us whiny, ungrateful, and impatient gang of SEOs... now keep the insider info coming before I change my mind again!

[edited by: WebGuerrilla at 6:34 am (utc) on May 23, 2003]
[edit reason] fixed link [/edit]

[GoogleGuy]

No worries, Staza--thanks for the kind words. Over 2000-3000 posts, it's easy for those posts to get lost. :) Thanks WebGuerilla for collecting them all in one thread.

[WebGuerrilla]

You are welcome. Although I'm not actually the one who did the collecting of the posts. The original thread was started by albert, and he is the one who continued to collect them.

GG, you're working way too late.

[GoogleGuy]

Off to bed now.. You should get some sleep too. :)

[seofreak]

sleep well! :zzz:

[Jakpot]

wish I could sleep well

[SEO_Apostle]

Actually Staza I think quite a few people will owe Google Guy an apology over the coming days and weeks.

Having read a large number of posts regarding rankings, penalties, spamming etc. I've found it quite astounding just how many SEOs and webmasters have been critical of Google. First off I doubt that many users have actually noticed any difference in the quality of SERPS produced. Indeed when the dust settles, I think the vast majority of webmasters and SEOs will reflect on the so called "rough ride" that we've had and wonder what all the fuss was about. Were it not for endless conjecture (and a degree of mass hysteria setting in) I think that Google Guy's explanations and reassurances would have been enough for most of us.

Sure, our own rankings have taken a drop on some keywords, but gained in others. Moreover, as the site is content-driven, traffic has been constant all the while. So, instead of unnecessarily worrying about every aspect of this update cycle, we've just been getting on with improving and enlarging our site. And, as the vast majority of our visitors find the site after searching on highly specific keyword phrases (not just the obvious one/two keyword ones) fretting about how to change previously well-optimised pages in light of the new algo (when everything has still not been factored in) seems a bit pointless to me.

Fact is, I still use Google on a daily basis (when I know alternatives such as alltheweb.com offer decent results too) and realise that, when all is said and done Google, as a free listings engine, has brought my business growth, revenue and much-needed exposure. So, to launch into a war of words, predict the end of Google, or simply whinge about our rankings is rather like shooting the goose that laid the golden egg.

[spikedo55]

So what's the common thread? I'm still confused about the whole damn thing.

[martinibuster]

SEO_Apostle

Spoken like someone who is sitting pretty on the serps... and his golden egg. (Just kidding!)

However, I have to say that it's ABOUT TIME some of these people made an apology. Good job Staza for stepping forward and admitting you made a mistake.

[SEO_Apostle]

Nah, Martinibuster ;) The site I'm involved in offers online flight/hotel booking. So, on some keyword combos we've taken a bit of a hammering on others we've improved. However, as the main part of our portal offers in-depth city guides, lots of visitors find us that way. It's a case of build it and they will come ;) So, as they get added value, many decide to book with us afterwards! Of course, there will always be spammy sites, sites of dubious origin etc. (which end up with better rankings on some searches). But I figure that in the long-term we'll still be around and they won't. All in all, I can honestly say this update (thus far) has made very little difference to our overall standings. Furthermore, my views on Google haven't changed. It's still a great engine.

[Oaf357]

I might be sticking my neck out a little too far on this one but it's apparent that the recent deluge of the Google News forum has taken away some of its value.

I try and visit the forum at least twice a day. But, when one of the reasons I visit is so I can see what GoogleGuy has to say and people are questioning/insulting/yada yada yada GG it's difficult to get ANY useful information (that and the 19 million pages per thread).

I'm just rambling but the key thing is to stay professional and calm.

[uci_bink]

Sorry this is a little off topic and maybe belongs in another forum but...

Is there some function where we can read all of a user (most likely GG's) posts in order?

I know that we can go to the user profile and see which topics they have posted on but it would be much easier for people to combine and gather information if they could just read all the posts.

Then we could avoid mistakes like insulting GG like the top poster did! j/k

[deft_spyder]

"Is there some function where we can read all of a user (most likely GG's) posts in order?"

Some method, like clicking on his profile and looking at the last 15 or so posts he has made? :)

[uci_bink]

deft spyder:

Please note my quote in the original post:
"I know that we can go to the user profile and see which topics they have posted on"

I was wondering if there is some way we can view the actual post. It is a pain in the ass to look through some of these 30 page topics looking for one post by GG

[killroy]

Well, I hate to point out the obvious, but try:
[google.com...]
That seems to bring up all the posts with GoogleGuy in it.

Due to recent update issues they may not be as up to date as needed though ;) *hinthint*

try adding other text bits from the left handbox for more hits on googleGuy posts and fewer on mentions of his name.

SN

[Mardi_Gras]

Is there some function where we can read all of a user (most likely GG's) posts in order?

Checking the thread cited in the first post would be a good place to start:)

It is what you're looking for, at least in terms of GG's recent posts. As far as all posts - he has over 1,000 - that's quite a few to go through. And older posts - by any member - may not be as valid today as they were 12 or more months ago.

[takagi]

You better search for the date he joined ("joined-Oct 8, 2001" [google.com]; 900 pages). It looks GG was the only member to join WW on that very day.

A search for

site:www.webmasterworld.com GoogleGuy

gives 2180 pages. These more than 50% 'false positives' are mostly caused by messages containing his name, posted by other members.

Unfortunately, this search won't find all the posts. Especially the recent messages will be missing.

[przero2]

Good to see this thread. I have read so many posts whining this and that recently. Despite that I think GG's responses have always been calm, composed and certainly helpful. Imagine how badly we might be pulling our hairs without the clarifications he or she provides here. My sincere thanks to GG for hanging out here and going the extra mile in bridging the communications with webmasters.

[seofreak]

I am semi-new here, so i don't know how people arrived at believing googleguy is from google .. i mean i could sign up as googlegirl? lol ... don't mean to insult you googleguy, since everybody believes u r from google then u must be .. but just a normal question, can anybody explain how we arrived at believing him? :)

[albert]

Webmasterworld knowledge base about GoogleGuy:
[webmasterworld.com ]
There's also a lot of other valuable stuff.

HTH

[Napoleon]

Rest assured Seofreak, he IS from Google... and he does a tremendous job here.

[Mardi_Gras]

I am semi-new here, so i don't know how people arrived at believing googleguy is from google

Because Brett told us it's true :)

All search engine and directory reps posting at WebmasterWorld are verified.

That's from the WebmasterWorld Google Knowledgebase V2.

[mil2k]

Well seofreak you are not alone. Many new members go through the same dilemma. The last one i remembered refused to believe it no matter how many senior members tried to convince ;)

[seofreak]

lol, thanks for kind the replies ;)

[GoogleGuy]

I promise I'm real. ;)

[Oaf357]

I promise I'm real. ;)

Hmm... well a figment of my imagination you definitely aren't.

[Staza]

"GoogleGuy is a Google employee who regularly participates in the WebmasterWorld.com forum. Yes, he really does work for Google. His proclamations at WebmasterWorld have become gospel to many."

Source:
The Search Engine Update - Number 149

By Danny Sullivan, Editor
May 21, 2003

[HayMeadows]

Gospel = Good News.

Maybe Googleguy will give us some again soon. I still trust he is steering us in the right direction. Listen to what he says, very carefully.