Google employee going to talk at last?

[UKecommerce]

Hello everyone,

I just wondered if anyone knows anything more about this "G Man Tells All" book being released in January? An ex business associate of mine says he knows someone who reviewed it but they had to sign non-disclosure agreements before they were provided with a time-controlled copy.

Apparently there were 25 reviewers, I thought I'd see if any of them happened to look at Warrior forum! You never know!

[UKecommerce]

Just a quick update since my initial post earlier today,

1. I have emailed my former business collegue (who knows one of the reviewers) to ask for any more details he may have.

2. I have contacted Thorsdale Publishing (who are publishing the book) via Twitter to ask if I may review the book for my own business purposes.

I'll post any results /replies I get here if any other Warrior forum members are interested.

[lroufs]

Interesting!

[websteve]

Cant wait for that one!

[orvn]

That'll be cool!

[UKecommerce]

OK, as of 6PM I haven't heard back from Thorsdale Publishing yet, but I have received an email from my former business collegue Brian. He says the chap he knows who reviewed this book is actually a columnist with The Guardian (a daily national newspaper here in the UK), so that definitely made my ears perk up.

Brian will email the chap today or tomorrow and see if he's willing to volunteer any information. If anyone is interested the Thorsdale twitter feed is twitter.com/ThorsdalePress and the book site is gmantellsall.com

As soon as I hear from either Brian or Thorsdale I'll post up the results.

[paulgl]

Can we get a grip on reality?

Just the latest and greatest search engine know-how book.

If it's released in January, 2011 (you can order it online now, BTW)
then as of February 2011, it will be outdated.

How's this for a come-on?

SEO Was Shrouded In Secrecy - Until Now!

In January 2010 Gordon Macnamara decided to sit down and write a document that he knew would change the world of SEO forever. It would take the best part of one year to complete and is only now ready for launch. Despite warnings from collegues, threats of litigation from his former employer and the possibility of breaking confidentiality agreements, Gordon was determined to press ahead with what he saw as "the greater good".

"G MAN TELLS ALL" is the story of Gordon's ten-year involvement with one of the best known names in high technology, from the early days of the fledgling internet to his last day in the office. As one of the world's top mathematical and algorithmic software engineers Gordon was personally responsible for much of the complex mathematics that currently control business on the internet."

This should seal the deal:
"Prepare for the biggest earthquake in search engine history since 1998!"

Me? I'll save the $99, thank you.

It looks more like a mini-biography than an SEO book.

Paul

[UKecommerce]

you can order it online now, BTW

Could you tell me where please? I take your points on board, but if this is genuine there isn't one other out there written by an employee of Google for 10 years, I'd buy it just for that!

[orvn]

You'd think that something like this would be in violation of a hefty non-disclosure agreement or two, eh?

[UKecommerce]

Yes, I think thats the whole point! If it's been reviewed by The Guardian then I'm prepared to listen.

[Luke Gregory]

Im Pretty Sure, that google would make certain employees sign a agreement before he even started working there, and also, do you think every google worker knows the exact algorithim? Nope! I bet only the top and i mean top people at google know this information.

[Defunct]

Originally Posted by Prestige Seo

Im Pretty Sure, that google would make certain employees sign a agreement before he even started working there, and also, do you think every google worker knows the exact algorithim? Nope! I bet only the top and i mean top people at google know this information.

They do sign an agreement and Google employees can and can't say many things.

I've met a semi-high up Google employee in charge of our entire countries AdWords agencies and there really is only so much you can and can't say before getting hammered by Google's legal team.

I've hours chatting on the phone over the years and met him in person one on one.

It would be very stupid for anyone to break their NDA agreement for 99 dollars a pop.

Probably some idiot guru said to him, hey you worked at Google, lets write a book, you be the celeb this time and ill create the hype.

[yukon]

I agree with paulgl,

If the book is from a former employee, than the content is outdated.

Besides, do you really believe that a single Google employee knows every single thing about Google, lol.

My bet is the OP has some connection to create book sales, I'm waiting for the Aff . link...

[UKecommerce]

Originally Posted by yukon

I agree with paulgl,

If the book is from a former employee, than the content is outdated.

Besides, do you really believe that a single Google employee knows every single thing about Google, lol.

My bet is the OP has some connection to create book sales, I'm waiting for the Aff . link...

Actually no, I don't have any connection. I was the head of online strategy for B&Q (a British home improvement chain) for 8 years and I am now a self employed technology strategist, working on contracts mostly around the UK and western Europe.

I put the original post on to find out if there was anyone who knew about this book. I found out about it through an ex-collegue, who is now the boss of BT Broadband (British Telecom). If he is willing to give me a heads up about something, I'm willing to listen.

I haven't read the book as it actually isn't available yet (contrary to what a previous post said) and I have no interest whatsoever in making money online. My interest was if this is really a Google engineer of ten years talking. If it is, then I have quite a few clients who woulld be happy to read his book.

Another friend of mine emailed me the link to the Warrior Forum, which I've never been on, and suggested I raise the topic there, so I did. Incidentally, since the website for the book belongs to the publisher, I don't have any problem with what they've said on their site.

Regarding NDA's, we had those at B&Q, and many of the clients I currently have require me to sign NDA's before I commence a contract. However, they haven't stopped people talking before that have been in high positions.

None of the strategies for my clients would be interesting to anyone except their competitors, but if you worked for Google in the capacity of this author it would be of interest to many. Thats why I was interested.

[miranon]

Look very interesting! Any more info where to order in online when it will be released?

[UKecommerce]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the publishers website for the book is gmantellsall.com and they are also on Twitter at twitter.com/ThorsdalePress

The best thing you could do is contact them directly with your questions. I have already contacted them requesting info and will post it on here when I receive it.

[Jacob Martus]

Originally Posted by paulgl

Can we get a grip on reality?

Just the latest and greatest search engine know-how book.

If it's released in January, 2011 (you can order it online now, BTW)
then as of February 2011, it will be outdated.

How's this for a come-on?

SEO Was Shrouded In Secrecy - Until Now!

In January 2010 Gordon Macnamara decided to sit down and write a document that he knew would change the world of SEO forever. It would take the best part of one year to complete and is only now ready for launch. Despite warnings from collegues, threats of litigation from his former employer and the possibility of breaking confidentiality agreements, Gordon was determined to press ahead with what he saw as "the greater good".

"G MAN TELLS ALL" is the story of Gordon's ten-year involvement with one of the best known names in high technology, from the early days of the fledgling internet to his last day in the office. As one of the world's top mathematical and algorithmic software engineers Gordon was personally responsible for much of the complex mathematics that currently control business on the internet."

This should seal the deal:
"Prepare for the biggest earthquake in search engine history since 1998!"

Me? I'll save the $99, thank you.

It looks more like a mini-biography than an SEO book.

Paul

Always the voice of reason Paul. Do you guys honestly think there is going to be ANYTHING in that book that isn't already known? I don't.

I'm sure a company like Google has its engineers and anybody else associated with the algorithm sign non-disclosure agreements which would prevent someone from releasing proprietary information.

Come on guys. SEO isn't rocket science. Write keyword optimized content, maintain a good site structure, maximize internal links, and build anchor text backlinks. Follow those four steps and if you're consistent, you will succeed with SEO.

[theguitarshaun]

looks very interesting

[theseoguys]

I don't think google is stupid enough to let all the various engineers know exactly what eachother is doing. And besides, even if the guy did know everything there was to know, and decided to spill it...he wouldn't have a cent left after the lawyers were all done with him.

[paulgl]

Yes. Google is stupid. They are $20 billion + in the bank stupid.

If you want to order it for $99, I think you can go to:
g man tells all .com
I'll let you type it in, no spaces of course.
I won't give a link.

If this guy gets $99 for a for a downloadable pdf book, more power to him.
Don't get me wrong. Some pdf books are golden.

Before I spent this money, I'd spend $99 on someone like Mike Filsaime.
Yes, I know. A lot of you wouldn't. No problem. Probably the same reason
I wouldn't shell out $99 for a former google employee either. Just making
a comparison.

Yes, I cannot deny the book would make for interesting reading. But $99
can buy better entertaining.

In fact, a thought just occurred to me. If this info was real inside earth
shattering stuff, it could be sold elsewhere for more. Doesn't it also stand
to reason that if this stuff was "true" and relevant now, it would skew
google results. Google would never let that happen on a basis like this.
They would have already tweaked the settings.

Paul

[Fraggler]

So this isn't the untold story of Gordon Freeman?

[UKecommerce]

Fair point paulgl, I respect that. I assume nobody is compelled to buy it. Mind you, if you walked into a pub and met a high end engineer who worked at the top end of Google for 10 years, would you be interested in having a pint with him?

I sure would, thats all I'm saying. I'm being pragmatic. Perhaps the book is a rambling biography, but perhaps not. At this point we don't know, do we?

[Sean Roberts]

From the sales page:

The fabled algorithm explained

LOL. Not really much use unless it's completely up to date, and considering he no longer works for Google, and the algorithm is constantly changing, then it isn't.

I agree with others; this is just sales hyperbole, all you need to know about SEO is out there already. Just look at SEOmoz, SEMPO, etc etc etc...

[UKecommerce]

Sean, you may well be right. However I am a practical man, I have to be in my Job. If you read my earlier post you'll see how I found out about the book in the first place and why that's very credible to me.

To be completely honest, if it were true, I'd much rather listen to someone who did work for Google and who actually knew facts rather than the millions of SEO people out there who just think they do. In my job I have run into literally hundreds of them, in fact its quite difficult to get a professional capable of handling larger corporate contracts. In my experience most of them are either guessing or assuming, usually based on what someone else has said or what they think they know. I'd much rather hear it from a professional.

Thats why I was interested in the book, if I'm wrong and it's rubbish then I'll have to accept losing my $99.

On the note of corporate secrets, NDA or not, I have seen many white papers sold with sensitive information, it happens all the time. Google isn't god, it's just another company with shares and bad press makes share prices fall. Even if it was true, my guess is they would either deny it or ignore it completely. Thats just my opinion.

[DNChamp]

Well lets just hope if the author puts out a web site it damn sure well better be ranking #1 on every keyword he choose!

[UKecommerce]

Haha DNChamp, very good point! I believe the website is the publishers but you're absolutely right!

[resiymarko]

I take your points on board, but if this is indisputable there isn't one other out there written by an employee of Google for 10 years, I'd buy it just for that!

[ann1986]

exposing the method google use, I dont think google will let that happen without going to court

[Dumkist]

So how is the book since it has been released ?...has anyone purchased it ?..any reviews ?

[Player777]

I dont think its released yet. Looks very interesting

[FrankBowman]

Two words...........Who cares?

[tritrain]

I wonder if this former Google employee is sharing his/her real name.

Google probably has a few paid assassins, wouldn't you say?

[JonWebContent]

$99 for a book?? I don't care what book it is, I'm not paying $99 for it.......unless it has big letters and pictures, of course!

[Muhammad Mustafa]

I don't believe in that book!
As a top hand-on Engineer himself, the so called "Gordon Macnamara" should have signed a NDA about what he involved within, otherwise I'd count Google as the dumpiest company ever (they aren't)! Google would easily take it to the court and goodbye Gordon!
It been almost a week in Jan 2011 now, and still gmantellsall.com have the buy now button with no actual buy process (at least for me here) ... complete BS? who knows!

[WealthWithin]

OMG.... it's the SEO holy grail. Everyone's gonna rank #1!!!!!


The Google's algorithm is so complex, that many employees don't get even time to get it completely. Someone who has the smarts to work at a top engineering position in Google, what makes you think they want to get into a life time of lawsuits and career suicide for a freakin ebook?

Google changes their algorithm DAILY. A 'former' employee doesn't know sh!t about the latest developments. The SEO fundamentals on the other hand has stayed the same for last 5 years, and probably will be so for next few years. But you can get this knowledge from SEOmoz, Google patents and testing.

This is all over-hyped marketing BS. Where is FTA when we need them?

[JulianKane]

Originally Posted by WealthWithin

OMG.... it's the SEO holy grail. Everyone's gonna rank #1!!!!!


The Google's algorithm is so complex, that many employees don't get even time to get it completely. Someone who has the smarts to work at a top engineering position in Google, what makes you think they want to get into a life time of lawsuits and career suicide for a freakin ebook?

Google changes their algorithm DAILY. A 'former' employee doesn't know sh!t about the latest developments. The SEO fundamentals on the other hand has stayed the same for last 5 years, and probably will be so for next few years. But you can get this knowledge from SEOmoz, Google patents and testing.

This is all over-hyped marketing BS. Where is FTA when we need them?

Exactly what I was going to say, couldn't have said it better myself- thanks for saving me the typing...