You’ve gotta love Google! I say that sincerely because, in my opinion, they are one of the very few great companies of our age: sometimes known as the “Internet age”, or the “information age”.
I remember when I first started using the Internet to browse. AltaVista and Excite were the leading search engines back then. Also popular were these WebCrawlers, metasearch engines that blended the top search results from other engines.
And for those who remember those days you’ll recall search results were often way off topic.
This changed when Google entered the scene in a big way around 2001-2002. It seemed that around that time Google became a media darling, often being referred to by on air radio and TV people, as well as print media, who may have coined the phrase we are now so familiar with, just “Google it”.
Google Has Always Been My Friend
In those heady days of the early 2000′s Google ranked supreme in my eyes, not only for their highly relevant search results, but because my affiliate revenue rocketed during that time, thanks mainly to Google’s algorithms, which factored in the importance of any particular page in it’s database by evaluating sites linking to it. (backlinks)
Back then, and to this very day, I’ve been preaching strategies for acquiring quality backlinks (not junk links) in my affiliate marketing trainings.
Another notable thing about Google is their reputed company motto, Don’t Be Evil.
Higher Ethical Standards Always Impress Me
Although there is some debate as to whether “Don’t Be Evil” is actually the company motto (or slogan) there is no debate that their corporate culture is based on fairness.
In fact, Google has published a 10-point corporate philosophy in which point #6 states, “You can make money without doing evil.”
It has been reported that the phrase “Don’t Be Evil” was coined by Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail.
He claims to have made that suggestion in a high level meeting saying he “wanted a slogan that, once you put it in there, would be hard to take out,” adding that the slogan was “also a bit of a jab at a lot of the other companies, especially competitors, who at the time, in Google’s opinion, were kind of exploiting the Internet users to some extent.”
I love that concept, — looking out for the little guy.
Wall Street Could Learn A Few Things From Google
In these days of well documented corporate greed it’s highly charming that a global giant, like Google, puts “doing the right thing” above profits.
“Don’t Be Evil” would be a welcome slogan for Wall Street, don’t you think? How about making “Don’t Be Evil” an amendment to the constitutions of the worlds leading governments, including the USA, Canada, UK and China?
Google, by instilling a Don’t Be Evil culture, has established a baseline for honest decision-making that disassociates it from any and all cheating.
Google Doesn’t Play Favorites
I even applaud those recent “webspam algorithmic” updates of late February, 2011, that knocked millions of “low value” pages of content out of the running for top rankings.
Clearly, Google feels a greater the responsibility to you, the lowly web surfer, than to companies who’ve managed to trick their algorithm into a top ranking.
I applaud that.
And I’ve been preaching the importance of “high-value”, relevant content on my affiliate marketing podcasts ever since the last major algorithm change in December, 2004, infamously known as the “Jagger update”, which wiped out much of my own affiliate content at the time.
As much as I suffered financially by that loss, I still revere Google for it’s commitment to play fair and not favoring the “big boys”, such as Industry conglomerates who feel they should have the top rankings simply because they’re big.
Google really does have a “human” side. And that’s a good thing.
What’s been your experience?
About the Author
James Martell lives in White Rock, BC with his wife Arlene and their four children. James is a pioneer in the affiliate marketing industry and was successfully profiting with affiliate programs since 1999.
Twitter: Ileane
says:
Hi James, this is an interesting point of view. I normally see people bashing Google for the changes they are constantly making to their algorithm. Nice to look at both sides of the coin.
Thanks – I’m following your podcast now too.
Ileane´s recent blog post ..This Blog Runs On Thesis Awesome
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Yes, I see people bashing Google all the time. They’re not perfect but they do a great job of serving up relevant results.
Google also gives us the opportunity to compete against corporate giants in the results. We don’t have that opportunity in print, television or radio, but online we do.
I hope you enjoy the podcasts.
James Martell´s recent blog post ..Google SEO Tip 107 – What Are Some Examples Of SEO Misinformation
yeah.. i love google too, but you have to admit that even “him” makes mistakes sometime. some blogs are penalized for nothing… and others, that use black hat seo techniques continue to rank high…
Hausboot´s recent blog post ..Yachtcharter Holland
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
I agree.
And of course they make mistakes.
I wouldn’t be surprised either if during their constant war on spam, low quality content and backlinking games that some innocent sites are taken out. Unfortunate collateral damage.
I would have to think though that the legitimate sites that are effected would recover as Google sorts itself out.
James, your comparison with Wall Street is great. Love the “Don’t Be Evil” principle.
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Hi James,
as for me google has created a brand new googled society forcing the websites creators to comply with some certain rules, develop strategy and create tactics to be on the first position. Besides, google, I must accept, is honest company and if even they slightly manipulate with the results (I know it as being in the gambling affiliate business), it total they are Cool.
Regards. Tessa
tessastuart´s recent blog post ..Casino Mobile Bonuses On Offer
Here is one post where I found out that Google is being praised instead of the bashing which goes on everywhere. I personally like the way Google conduct themselves.
shree´s recent blog post ..Manage Your Projects Effectively With Project Management Tools
I also remember the days when you had to search through dozens of pages from a half dozen search engines to find something on the Internet. The fact that you can find highly relevant information in a fration of a second is amazing and underappreciated. Google created something that greatly benefits mankind, even though it’s now taken for granted.
I visited Google headquarters a couple of years ago for training on a Google Search Appliance. It’s an amazing place and I highly recommend a visit to anyone who has the opportunity.
Bret´s recent blog post ..Protect yourself before Disaster Strikes
Twitter: techwork_dk
says:
Hi James
I think it is a must that Google are natrual and don’t favorites the “big guys”. We all have to adjust to keep being in Googles top search results. I only think that is fair for everyone.
Good old AltaVista and with Netscape Navigator, those were the days
Thomas´s recent blog post ..10 Awesome bloggers I follow
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Agreed. It does seem the one thing Google continues to beat their drum about is quality. Nobody can argue with their consistent message.
James Martell´s recent blog post ..Google SEO Tip 108 – Will I Be Penalized For Hidden Content If I Have Text In A Read More Dropdown
Twitter: Tech2Hack4U
says:
New panda update from Google will remove the 12% of world’s low quality sites…
Ankit Saini´s recent blog post ..Most Common SEO Search Engine Optimization Mistakes
I admit I’m still a bit torn. On one hand, they’re poised to be a “Big Brother” controller of information but on the other hand they purport to be the ‘good guys’. Skepticism will remain my theme for the foreseeable future. However, I do like that they change things up – and quite often. Keeps things interesting!
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