[WEB4LIB] Re: Google Sponsored Links

[Walt_Crawford at notes.rlg.org]

OK, I'll bite:

I would prefer _to_ see the ads, clearly labeled as such and with (to my
eyes) extremely visible background color setting them off from links ranked
by Google's methodology.

Those ads (or sponsored links) mean that Google can be profitable while
maintaining an ethical, transparent search system that's available for
free. (Actually, Google claims to get half their revenue through licensing
the Google engine for corporate intranet searching and other similar
situations, but half wouldn't be enough.) That forest of Linux boxes at
Google headquarters isn't free and doesn't run on good will, and some of
their world-class programmers probably expect to eat.

I can only think of three alternatives for Google:

1. Sell "relevance" on a hidden basis, so that the results are effectively
corrupt. You'd still get sponsored links first, but you wouldn't know
that's why they were first since they wouldn't be labeled as such. This is
the most common approach.

2. Charge for searching.

3. Go out of business.

Given the set of alternatives, I find clearly-labeled sponsored links
reassuring--they suggest that Google will be around for a while.

Walt Crawford, speaking only for myself.


                                                                                                                        
                    Virginia Smith                                                                                      
                    <vsmith at gemini.edu       To:     Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at webjunction.org>         
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                    11/16/2001 01:24                                                                                    
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Hello Craighton,

I concur with your concerns regarding advertisements and editorial
integrity. As you probably, know the dot.com boom has recently been labeled
the dot.com bust. One of the biggest impacts we'll see as librarians is the
change in advertising techniques and fee structures. At the recent Internet
Librarians conference, Chris Sherman of Search Engine Watch, asked us to
ponder a future without
search engines. In light of today's economic climate, it's a very real
possibility. Unfortunately, Google is not immune.

Please don't get me wrong, I'd also  prefer not to see the advertisements,
but it may be necessary in lieu of having to pay a fee to use the service.
On a related note- in a recent search at About.com, the link I was looking
for was actually located in the Sprinks (paid advertisement) section.

Aloha, Virginia

***********************************************
Virginia Smith
Assistant Librarian
Gemini Observatory
670 A'ohoku Place
Hilo, HI  96720

vsmith at gemini.edu

Craighton Hippenhammer wrote:

> I knew Google has long had advertizements but now I'm seeing sponsored
links that appear at the top of the first page of search results.  I
thought they prided themselves on not stooping to this level.  See, for
example, their page http://www.google.com/technology/index.html that says:
>
> "Integrity
> "Google's complex, automated methods make human tampering with our
results extremely difficult. And though we do run relevant ads above and
next to our results, Google does not sell placement within the results
themselves (i.e., no one can buy a higher PageRank). A Google search is an
easy, honest and objective way to find high-quality websites with
information relevant to your search."
> Other than the designation of "Sponsored Links," these advertizements
both look like results, and as I understand it, are pulled up at the top of
the results list based on the keywords that are entered.  Looks to me like
they're in bed with all the other search engines doing the same thing.
>
> Craighton Hippenhammer
> Information Technology Librarian
> Olivet Nazarene University
> chhammer at olivet.edu
>
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