by Giftys
143 replies
I used to be fond of Google. I now think they're pompous and out of touch. We recently had an extremely important issue to resolve with one of my new businesses. We sent several e-mails to different parties, we called several numbers and we even typed polite letters to three different upper-management parties hoping for a reply from someone. We never received one single reply.

Name me one company (just one!) that you have spent tens of thousands of dollars with over the course of many years where, despite all your efforts, they would not reply to you. - It is sickening!

Add to this some of the irresponsible things their doing with search recently that are costing some companies dearly (and I'm talking about the innocent ones).

Add to this the lack of disclosure regarding Adwords that people have been complaining about for years... (insert several other issues here) and you've got a company that is moving in a negative direction, not a positive one. They are out of touch and nobody trusts them anymore.

I encourage others to speak out and tell their stories. I'm not talking about those in here that have tried to cheat Google every which way until they get caught. I'm talking about the legitimate entrepreneurs in here that have had serious issues with Google whether it be IM related or other.

It is my opinion that they will fail if they continue down this path. What do you think? Can Google fail or have they simply gotten too big to control?


PS. If I suddenly disappear, I guess you'll know why.
#fail #google
  • Profile picture of the author Joey Babbs
    I too felt that way the first time I was slapped around, and banned for something so minor I did not even intend to cheat the system...it was because I made a landing page 10 years ago that I didn't even use but somehow their system decides to ban me for it!

    Quite frankly though I hope they don't fail because that is still where everyone goes to find my websites....
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    • Profile picture of the author QuantumNomis
      The problem lies in the fact that their algo uses a lazy mans approach to assessing sites. It is why SEO is destroying their search. Funny really.
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      • Profile picture of the author hikerguy777
        But what is the alternative? They still own such a high percentage of overall searches that no one else really matters (I know bing is moving up, but really they are not close). They also have such a compelling free tool set that it is hard to go anywhere else (analytics, mail, docs).

        I don't think they will fail. They are an innovative company that pays the best and brightest.
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        • Profile picture of the author Giftys
          Originally Posted by hikerguy777 View Post


          I don't think they will fail. They are an innovative company that pays the best...
          The mafia pays the best too.
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          • Profile picture of the author The Content King
            I don't think Google is going to fail anytime soon. If anything, they're going to come up with an alternative to Facebook that's going to rock the social giant. Mark my words. Google has been quiet for a long time regarding the social issue and I don't think it's because they're sitting on their hands.

            The recent algo change was only the beginning. You can't blame them for knocking out some innocent sites in their efforts to weed out all the crap. It's collateral damage. Even the army has a term for it. It's not an exact science, especially when so many people have learned to game their system.

            Google's not down or out, and I don't think we've seen the last of them yet. If anything, I'd say they're just getting started.

            But I could be wrong. Hell, Myspace seemed to rule the world about six years ago.
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            • Profile picture of the author James Campbell
              Originally Posted by The Content King View Post

              I don't think Google is going to fail anytime soon. If anything, they're going to come up with an alternative to Facebook that's going to rock the social giant. Mark my words. Google has been quiet for a long time regarding the social issue and I don't think it's because they're sitting on their hands.

              The recent algo change was only the beginning. You can't blame them for knocking out some innocent sites in their efforts to weed out all the crap. It's collateral damage. Even the army has a term for it. It's not an exact science, especially when so many people have learned to game their system.

              Google's not down or out, and I don't think we've seen the last of them yet. If anything, I'd say they're just getting started.

              But I could be wrong. Hell, Myspace seemed to rule the world about six years ago.

              lol They have tried and failed.

              In fact, practically everything that isn't related to their search business they have tried and failed at...and miserably.

              Notable exceptions: gmail

              James
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              • Profile picture of the author chykee
                I doubt The Almighty Google will fail soon as they are trying their very best to stay on the number one position in the worldwide..
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        • Profile picture of the author Frank_The_Tank
          Originally Posted by hikerguy777 View Post

          But what is the alternative? They still own such a high percentage of overall searches that no one else really matters (I know bing is moving up, but really they are not close). They also have such a compelling free tool set that it is hard to go anywhere else (analytics, mail, docs).

          I don't think they will fail. They are an innovative company that pays the best and brightest.
          Personally I would just worry about getting web pages to the first page of Google, and work on getting traffic. Other then that, I stay away from Google for any kind of reason only because for the fact they were the same with me.

          Sorry I don't want to use a service if all they do is what "they want" without any kind of response as to their reasonings. To me that's bad business alone. When I started online marketing, I always read that Google and Adwords were the best tools for making money online... but that's far from the truth.
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      • Profile picture of the author AuthorityRush
        ANY business can fail. Just think of all of the businesses you know that have failed that everyone thought would take over the net. Netscape always comes to mind. Also, it wasn't long ago that Yahoo was number one in search. And already Bing has 30% of the USA market for search. Pretty good number for being a new player. Bing/Yahoo seem more friendly so far towards internet marketers. Check out this link to see what Google wants from you and you can see it is pretty overwhelming in my view. Sounds like they only want CNN as a content producer. I think Google is forgetting that the internet is run by the little guy. Or they do know it and want to change it. Google Panda Update: New Advice Directly From Google | WebProNews
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        • Profile picture of the author Giftys
          Originally Posted by StreetBacon View Post

          Check out this link to see what Google wants from you and you can see it is pretty overwhelming in my view.
          Indeed, I think they can no longer see the forest for the trees. Take this for example:

          "One other specific piece of guidance we’ve offered is that low-quality content on some parts of a website can impact the whole site’s rankings..."
          Are you f#*ing kidding me?!!! Some of those sites have gazillions of pages of content that have been building for years!
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        • Profile picture of the author Giftys
          Originally Posted by StreetBacon View Post

          Sounds like they only want CNN as a content producer. I think Google is forgetting that the internet is run by the little guy. Or they do know it and want to change it.
          Bingo! Just look at Adwords. Look how it boxes you in and limits your words. So it forces you to bid on only the more popular phrases = higher bid amount to get seen = more money for Google. The same with cost for entry. Ever tried to bid low amounts? You'll rarely show up. Again, it forces you to bid high to compete. The little guy is snuffed out.

          It's so obvious now. Like many companies, they've gotten very greedy as they've grown. And pompous. Again, what does it take to get ANY customer service from them.

          Enter Bing. Well of course the irony is that they're just as big indirectly but they're customer service over there is exactly opposite of Google. You can get them on the phone if you want! As well, you can bid on as many keywords as you want. I never thought I'd say this but I'd like to see that giant over there trample this one over here. If it means that the best we can hope for is one monster defeating the other, I guess I'll take it.
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        • Profile picture of the author zanbrok
          Last i checked msn.com search was renamed to Bing. Not exactly a new player.
          I find it odd that not a single search engine has been able to compete with the quality of google. Is it really that hard to make a decent search algo that cannot be exploited. I can't believe not a single entrepreneur can start a competing search engine that can actually stand against google for quality.

          Originally Posted by StreetBacon View Post

          ANY business can fail. Just think of all of the businesses you know that have failed that everyone thought would take over the net. Netscape always comes to mind. Also, it wasn't long ago that Yahoo was number one in search. And already Bing has 30% of the USA market for search. Pretty good number for being a new player. Bing/Yahoo seem more friendly so far towards internet marketers. Check out this link to see what Google wants from you and you can see it is pretty overwhelming in my view. Sounds like they only want CNN as a content producer. I think Google is forgetting that the internet is run by the little guy. Or they do know it and want to change it. Google Panda Update: New Advice Directly From Google | WebProNews
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  • Profile picture of the author Chuck Avants
    I wish you luck in your pursuit however ------I
    just looked at your signature and maybe part of the answer to your delimma can be found there---How To Piss People Off---hahahahaha
    (It's a joke.)

    Just my opinion but google seems to get stronger with every update and they are trying to give people what they really want.

    How many searches have I done where the top 10 searches are yelp or dex or superpages and the info is worthless.

    I just did a search for auto parts. #4 is yellopages. Has a listing for a brake place, a car painting place, 2 car sales places, a muffler place and the top listing is an RV place.

    They just learned how to piss me off.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by Chuck Avants View Post

      I wish you luck in your pursuit however ------I
      just looked at your signature and maybe part of the answer to your delimma can be found there---How To Piss People Off---hahahahaha
      (It's a joke.)
      And a good one! That's hilarious Chuck!

      Just my opinion but google seems to get stronger with every update and they are trying to give people what they really want.
      I don't know if I agree but certainly Google does get some things right. That's a given. But the bad stuff is starting to overshadow the good.
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    • Profile picture of the author skibbz
      Originally Posted by Chuck Avants View Post

      I wish you luck in your pursuit however ------I
      just looked at your signature and maybe part of the answer to your delimma can be found there---How To Piss People Off---hahahahaha
      (It's a joke.)


      They just learned how to piss me off.
      Yes indeed, Google is pissing me off too grrr
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  • Profile picture of the author royljestr
    Yeah, I have been pretty ticked at Google too over several different issues. How can I pay them thousands of dollars and then they ban an account and won't even give me an opportunity to chat with them or ask what happened!!

    Well...I really think they are going to do what they want to do. It's like the rich kid that owns the only baseball...he gets to make the rules.

    Google is making the rules, and since they are diversifying so well (android, chrome, etc) I think they are going to be tough to take down.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by royljestr View Post

      Yeah, I have been pretty ticked at Google too over several different issues. How can I pay them thousands of dollars and then they ban an account and won't even give me an opportunity to chat with them or ask what happened!!

      Well...I really think they are going to do what they want to do. It's like the rich kid that owns the only baseball...he gets to make the rules.

      Google is making the rules, and since they are diversifying so well (android, chrome, etc) I think they are going to be tough to take down.
      That's right and here's more irony for you: All I do is preach diversification. The very thing that has kept us strong will more than likely keep them strong. But I'm hoping that because their customer service is ZERO, that that will be their downfall. I have never, ever treated a customer the way Google treats us. I don't care how big we get or how trivial an issue is, I will always get on the phone when I need to and talk to my customers, or at the very least help them resolve an issue through e-mail. It seems they don't even try.
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    • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
      Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

      Bingo! Just look at Adwords. Look how it boxes you in and limits your words. So it forces you to bid on only the more popular phrases = higher bid amount to get seen = more money for Google. .
      /\ That is a garden variety myth and is a smoke screen reply in that google does not control the amount spent for a click on any keyword, you do, as each person is in charge of setting the amount set as the max cpc on any given key not google.

      Much of the over priced keys are due to newbies coming in with two fifths on no idea and thinking that what is being bid I must bid more, and then more sheeple follow them.

      The smarter player will bid in a way that shows a profit or make aims to that, bidding high just for position or to get a click is pointless if your not making money, so in that you can now see why many say I lost my shirt, not googles fault, but the player.

      Originally Posted by royljestr View Post

      Yeah, I have been pretty ticked at Google too over several different issues. How can I pay them thousands of dollars and then they ban an account and won't even give me an opportunity to chat with them or ask what happened!!
      .
      /\ Another common garden variety myth, after dealing with and fixing countless G spots people them self into I can say in 99.9% of cases google has been helpful and aided in resolving the problems even in some very difficult cases.

      The key is to be polite and suck up the generic replies, and you must remain firm and focused on the outcome.

      Keep in mind that in some cases there is nothing you can do if you cross the line in the deep end of the no no pool and pizzle in the water at that end.

      In general with the OP's post, you are very correct, I can not for the life of me understand who or why they operate in the cold way they do, there is no need for it in many ways and it could be handled a whole lot better, in many ways it is bury my head in the sand management and I would agree that it will lead to a demise if it were half possible as the sheer frustration of these decisions is barbaric in many ways.

      If bing learns to take and make customer a high priority and perfect that over what the current ways are then given time then there may well be a shifting of the line in the sand.
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      • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
        Banned
        Originally Posted by royljestr View Post
        Yeah, I have been pretty ticked at Google too over several different issues. How can I pay them thousands of dollars and then they ban an account and won't even give me an opportunity to chat with them or ask what happened!!
        If they don't want to take your money, what makes you think they want to talk to you for free?
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        • Profile picture of the author Giftys
          Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat View Post

          If they don't want to take your money, what makes you think they want to talk to you for free?
          They took my money, lots of it... and ZERO customer service. Not one reply to any of my several e-mails. Not one phone call nor an answer on the other end. Not one letter in reply to our snail mail. NOTHING!
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          • Profile picture of the author fernandoescobar
            Originally Posted by cosmokid View Post

            The thing that creeps me out about Google is how, with the decline of physical, brick and mortar bookstores and the restricted budgets for local libraries, we're seeing entire generations of children raised to believe everything that Google indexes in its first few pages of results. And, as we IMers know, a lot of what appears on the first few pages is stuff written by marketers who aren't necessarily knowledgeable about the topics they're writing about, but they are presenting themselves as authorities or with authority.

            The lack of alternative sources for information really, really concerns me.
            Wow! Thank you for your insight. A little frightening to think about.
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  • Profile picture of the author bl
    Google is like walmart. I doubt it will fail because you have a lot of mind less drones that will continue using it no matter what. People used to stop patronizing businesses like google when it became known that their product and or service were not of quality. However, today things are different. Just because it is google and it has integrated itself into almost every section of the web, people will use it. No matter how unreliable or no good their service is, people will find in excuse to use it. Now, like walmart google is the number one internet presence. The only search engines they don't own is bing and yahoo. And neither are as diverse and powerful as google but for me that is great because I don't like google.

    I don't use gmail, chrome, docs, checkout, etc. I try to use the search engine as little as possible. I wish another search engine would come along because I am tired of Google and Yahoo and Bing just don't give you the same results.
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  • Profile picture of the author vvsingh
    Buddy, I have full sympathies with your frustration with Google. One things which is very natural is that whatever goes up , comes down some day. Google is not going to be #1 forever but it would have great if they create enough infrastructure to handle clients and their queries.
    One incident, I remember that in early days of my career I wrote a well researched tutorial on Sexual health and published it on few platforms. I used my adsense id to earn some bucks.Google just blocked my adsense account without any warning . It was good for me but I learnt SEO then I can earn more thousands of dollars from online advertisement now a day.
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    • Profile picture of the author Meharis
      Originally Posted by vvsingh View Post

      Google is not going to be #1 forever
      learnt SEO then I can earn more thousands of dollars from online advertisement now a day.
      First paragraph: Maybe they started. They lost #1 spot to Apple.

      2nd: Here's the point. It's possible not being so much Google dependent.
      Yours is one of the many ways to do it without the Gorilla telling you how you can and how you should not do it.
      As far as I'm concerned, I can careless about big "G"
      Meharis
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

    Name me one company (just one!) that you have spent tens of thousands of dollars with over the course of many years where, despite all your efforts, they would not reply to you. - It is sickening!
    How about eBay? Not only have I spent thousands buying stuff on their site, I used to be a power seller with close to 6000 auctions under my belt.

    That is, until they got all corporate high and mighty and stuck it every which way to sellers. When they started putting links to competing products in auctions I paid a fee to list I said fark the whole thing. But that was after writing and calling and writing even more with not a single reply. So, I think I know how you feel.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      How about eBay? Not only have I spent thousands buying stuff on their site, I used to be a power seller with close to 6000 auctions under my belt.

      That is, until they got all corporate high and mighty and stuck it every which way to sellers. When they started putting links to competing products in auctions I paid a fee to list I said fark the whole thing. But that was after writing and calling and writing even more with not a single reply. So, I think I know how you feel.
      Wow, man I'm sorry!

      (You didn't really use the word "fark" did you? )
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  • Profile picture of the author ocd
    For all the Google haters, the life cycle of a business goes something like this.

    Birth, growth, maturity, stagnation, and death.

    IBM had plenty that hated them in the 1940's and they're still here.
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    The link of great joy and happiness...but this one? This is the one that all window cleaning companies in the free world are inspired by. Hey, where did the sarcasm font go?
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  • Profile picture of the author Clyde
    I really don't know where Google spends all its resources on.

    It could've been more customer friendly, at least to their paying AdWords customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
    It's hard to say whether they will fail or not. Depends on 2 things out of our prophetic knowledge:

    1. what choices will google make in the future?
    2. will any company be smart enough to develop into an alternative, thus eating away from google's market share?

    I must say though that I would appreciate some healthy competition for google.

    Their lack of caring for the individual customer is unheard of in the rest of the business world and it's a miracle that a company can it pull it of on a scale this large.

    Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post


    Google pays people to put up crap sites to make money with adsense. Then it bemoans the fact that people are putting up crap sites.
    Ken, thanks for pointing out the hypocrisy of Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author corsleymaxwell
    GoogleMail Vulnerability The worldwide used Gmail has been long been in its stage of the Beta version, and the Google team yet seems to ignore the loophole associated with the Gmail. The ignored part of the Gmail that allows hackers to send emails in the name of Google Team can be a serious threat to user’s privacy. One can easily attach a Trojan file in the mail and create havoc at receiver’s end.
    Also, the Gmail vulnerability disables the Google Developers team to set up a quality process that helps its users to avoid spam mails in their Inbox.
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  • Profile picture of the author netw6000
    Hello:

    The problem is there are people lined up around the corner to give Google their advertising money. Truth is... they don't need or want you as a customer.

    The other options are not as good or just as bad with their customer service. The Microsoft/Yahoo partnership seems to be a good alternative, but your ads get disapproved often for crazy reasons... they are now banning all keywords that are not actually on your landing page. Isn't that crazy!? Too bad since the amount of clicks and the quality is right up there with Google these days. Cheaper too.

    Other sources of traffic like mobile and Facebook Ads are very very low quality traffic. They wouldn't buy or opt in to a form if their life depended on it. Mobile is flat out click fraud with no system to catch it.
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  • Profile picture of the author wannabetechie
    Yes, I feel Google will face an eventual backlash for collecting so much of our data.

    I make sure that I am not logged into my Gmail when doing searches, or if possible go to Wikipedia directly to look up information. Small things...
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    When I start hearing people say "Bing it" or Yahoo it" instead
    of "Google it" I'll know Google is in trouble.

    Until then... not so much.

    Tsnyder
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Keep in mind that in some cases there is nothing you can do if you cross the line in the deep end of the no no pool and pizzle in the water at that end.
      Good point - you just can't take back your pizzle.

      It's funny - so many people bash google as "unfair" due to "crap sites". Every time google tightens up and raises the bar people complain Google is unfair as it penalized "my site".

      So many marketers don't stop to think that google is so much bigger than the little bodies working so hard to get ranking for their site about 4 slice toasters

      If you aim your work at the people who want what you are selling, google will cooperate most of the time. If your aim is "beating google" you make your own problems.

      kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim Franklin
    Interesting, I sort of get a little irritated at google from time to time, and perhaps it may be as you say someday they may not be as popular as they are today and someday advertisers may stop paying them as much money as they used to pay, it could happen that way, there are tons of stories online about companies that used to be big time and then they just faded away, that may happen to google but probably not anytime in the near future which is why you sort of have to play their game.

    Great post,
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by Tim Franklin View Post

      Interesting, I sort of get a little irritated at google from time to time, and perhaps it may be as you say someday they may not be as popular as they are today and someday advertisers may stop paying them as much money as they used to pay, it could happen that way, there are tons of stories online about companies that used to be big time and then they just faded away, that may happen to google but probably not anytime in the near future which is why you sort of have to play their game.
      If people stand up and say "no more!" this will happen sooner than later. But like one poster said, if they just keep using Google out of habit or convenience, it will take a lot longer. I urge people to remember and contemplate this old adage:

      If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    When I start hearing people say "Bing it" or Yahoo it" instead
    of "Google it" I'll know Google is in trouble.
    T, I'm already hearing more people comment how they like Bing a lot better, and it's been reported that they have 30% of the market share. Like the previous poster said, that's not bad for the short amount of time they've been out and considering how it takes awhile for people to change their habits. Even my kids have commented how they like Bing better (they call it "Because It's Not Google"). Bing is installed on their school laptops so it is there by default by they use Google at home and after knowing the differences, they prefer Bing. If the kids are growing up with it, this could only increase Bing's popularity and continue to take some away from Google. Like I said earlier, if it means one giant trampling the other giant, I guess I'll still take it. The lesser of the two evils at this point.
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

      they call it "Because It's Not Google"
      It certainly wasn't an OFFICIAL translation... but we were known to say that now and again on the Redmond campus.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I doubt Goog will ever flat out fail but like everything else, they'll eventually lose a lot of authority. Look at Microsoft. Everything they've ever done was for Microsoft and not their customers. They almost take pride in releasing software full of bugs. And then they "fix it on the fly" with their stupid Service Packs, and many times it still sucks.

    System restore came about, I belive, as a result of that total train wreck Windows ME. They knew it was a memory leaking POS yet they unleashed it on the world anyway.

    Their software is designed by Geeks and even after more than 25 years it's still never easy to use for average people. You want to shut off your computer, hey, go to the Start button. Ain't that brilliant? It's all about arrogance. Why? Because we can damnit!

    Right now Open Office has a far better suite of FREE Office tools than MS Office and I'm sure that's hurting ole Softy. Same thing with Firefox vs. IE. Little by little competitors are chipping away at the Giant. Can we have a moment of silence for poor Bill, please. The same will eventually happen with Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author LB
    Read some of these great recent posts and tell me if Google is really doing the right thing: SEO Blog
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

    All big companies annoy people. Just look at the British BBC Watchdog company. These huge companies don't care.

    Google won't fail because of it.
    On the positive side, Google is taking steps to alleviate some of their customer service issues by offering live phone support for Adwords customers now! This is a very recent development that just took place on April 5th of this year.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    And where is that? All I could find is phone support for "first-time campaign set-up help".
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

      And where is that? All I could find is phone support for "first-time campaign set-up help".
      Call them here - 1-866-2Google (9 am - 8 pm EST). This is for current Adwords customers only.
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      • Profile picture of the author Giftys
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        Call them here - 1-866-2Google (9 am - 8 pm EST). This is for current Adwords customers only.
        I got through by the other number I mentioned. I asked her why that Adwords number wasn't listed on the site. She said it's only two months old. So after 2 months, Google still has no phone number on their site even though they're offering phone support.

        After asking her a few questions, she said to me, "Sir, I have a quota that I can't go over and I'm going to have to hang up now." And she proceeded to do exactly that.

        I'm not expecting change with Google but I think this kind of thing deserves documentation, no matter who the company is.
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        • Profile picture of the author Trivum
          Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

          I got through by the other number I mentioned. I asked her why that Adwords number wasn't listed on the site. She said it's only two months old.

          So after 2 months, Google has no phone number on their site even though they're offering phone support? Wow! Just wow!
          Not wow. ... She was lying to you. Believing Google's lies is a "wow."

          Either that or they have moved their headquarters to Guatemala in order to keep the quarterlies up. (Very real possibility.)
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

          I got through by the other number I mentioned. I asked her why that Adwords number wasn't listed on the site. She said it's only two months old.

          So after 2 months, Google has no phone number on their site even though they're offering phone support? Wow! Just wow!
          Actually, it's only slightly over a month old - live phone support was implemented on April 5th.
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          • Profile picture of the author Giftys
            Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

            Actually, it's only slightly over a month old - live phone support was implemented on April 5th.
            I was quoting the CSR, who said she was not a CSR. Ha!
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          • Profile picture of the author Trivum
            Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

            Actually, it's only slightly over a month old - live phone support was implemented on April 5th.
            So after one month of "phone support" they don't have a phone number. ... That's better then. I retract my cynical comment.
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            • Profile picture of the author paulie888
              Originally Posted by Trivum View Post

              So after one month of "phone support" they don't have a phone number. ... That's better then. I retract my cynical comment.
              They HAVE a phone number, but it's only for existing Adwords customers. This has just recently been implemented.
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      • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        Call them here - 1-866-2Google (9 am - 8 pm EST). This is for current Adwords customers only.
        and here is live chat during office hours
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by tryinhere View Post

          They're definitely making an effort to be more accessible. It's easy to just be cynical about big companies like this, but they're trying. When you have millions of customers, customer support is nowhere near as easy to implement as you might think.
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          • Profile picture of the author Giftys
            Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

            They're definitely making an effort to be more accessible. It's easy to just be cynical about big companies like this, but they're trying. When you have millions of customers, customer support is nowhere near as easy to implement as you might think.
            What, do you work for them?

            Paulie, that is simply not true. I can give many examples of superior and seemingly effortless customer service with very large companies but one imparticular comes to mind, Constant Contact. You will always get someone on the phone. They always seem to go over and above. Their support numbers have always been in plain view. The same is with Disney. Take a Disney cruise sometime and you will see customer service beyond what you've ever known!
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            • Profile picture of the author paulie888
              Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

              What, do you work for them?

              Paulie, that is simply not true. I can give many examples of superior and seemingly effortless customer service with very large companies but one imparticular comes to mind, Constant Contact. You will always get someone on the phone. They always seem to go over and above. Their support numbers have always been in plain view. The same is with Disney. Take a Disney cruise sometime and you will see customer service beyond what you've ever known!
              I don't work for Google, but you're not making any sense here. You're not making a straight comparison with your examples, and you've just ended up comparing apples to oranges here.

              Constant Contact is just a tiny little company in comparison with Google (market cap of 788 million versus 174 billion), and Disney is not a technology corporation - the customer service needs and requirements at Google would be far more demanding than either of the admittedly poor examples that you've offered here.

              Paul
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              • Profile picture of the author DamenRabat
                I fully agree with hotlinkz statement that Google needs more competitors. they only do what they do because there is no one out there big enough so far who challenges them on eye level.
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                • Profile picture of the author Sam England
                  Originally Posted by DamenRabat View Post

                  I fully agree with hotlinkz statement that Google needs more competitors. they only do what they do because there is no one out there big enough so far who challenges them on eye level.
                  I agree...

                  But maybe Charlie Sheen will be the next man to step up to the plate and getter done...what do you think?

                  Hell, he sees at every ones eye level...and will challenge you...

                  Darn Tootin...my vote is for Donald Trump and Charlie Sheen...

                  ~Sam
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              • Profile picture of the author Giftys
                Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

                I don't work for Google, but you're not making any sense here. You're not making a straight comparison with your examples, and you've just ended up comparing apples to oranges here.

                Constant Contact is just a tiny little company in comparison with Google (market cap of 788 million versus 174 billion), and Disney is not a technology corporation - the customer service needs and requirements at Google would be far more demanding than either of the admittedly poor examples that you've offered here.
                Paul, I agree with CC being a much smaller company but think the example still applies. They employee hundreds of people and that takes good management to provide a consistent experience for everyone. I don't agree with how you wish to eliminate Disney from the example. It fits perfectly in my opinion.
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                • Profile picture of the author paulie888
                  Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

                  Paul, I agree with CC being a much smaller company but think the example still applies. They employee hundreds of people and that takes good management to provide a consistent experience for everyone. I don't agree with how you wish to eliminate Disney from the example. It fits perfectly in my opinion.
                  Think about this for a second - Google is at least 200 times larger than CC, and Adwords is a far more complex animal than any autoresponder service - millions of advertising dollars are spent on the Adwords platform every day. Disney is doing nothing more than confirming bookings and reservations over the phone, they're not providing any sort of technical support - pardon my example, but you could probably even train your pet monkey to do this well.

                  Paul
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                  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
                    Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

                    Think about this for a second - Google is at least 200 times larger than CC, and Adwords is a far more complex animal than any autoresponder service - millions of advertising dollars are spent on the Adwords platform every day. Disney is doing nothing more than confirming bookings and reservations over the phone, they're not providing any sort of technical support over the phone - pardon my example, but you could probably even train your pet monkey to do this well.

                    Paul
                    I disagree with your assessment Paul but this is not a fight worth having. Let's just leave it alone and agree to disagree.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    Google has never had customer service, so I'm not sure anything has "changed". It does not seem to fit into their model of computer automation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    Nothing has changed. I just called that adwords number. The CSR that answered the phone was "extremely" short with me. When I asked her why she was being short she said she wasn't. I told her that as a csr, she should be going out of her way to assist "her customer" with their needs. She actually said to me, "I'm not a CSR." I said, "Mam, you picked up the phone to help me, I have been trying to contact Google about a very important issue for months, could you please... She said, "You called Adwords so I'm not going to be able to help you." She then hung up on me.
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  • Google is not going to fail anymore than eBay is going to fail. eBay has some really poor policies.

    The reality is little mom and pop operations mean nothing to them. This is the way of big business. It has always been this way and will always be this way until the economy collapses completely under the weight of it's own debt.

    There are some companies you MUST do business with whether you like it or not. Google is one of them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by InternetMarketingIQ View Post

      There are some companies you MUST do business with whether you like it or not. Google is one of them.
      You said a mouthful there buddy!
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    • Profile picture of the author WikiWarrior
      Google isn't going to fail anytime soon and apart from their competitors I don't think it's in many peoples interests for them to fail. I've had a great experience using most of their services (although I still haven't forgiven them for banning my first adwords account back when I was new and didn't really know what I was doing. That one strike rule is absurd).

      Their customer support is woeful though. Seems like such a wasted opportunity. They should take a leaf out of Hostgator's book.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trivum
    Many, many, many people came to this same conclusion YEARS ago.

    Despite the rumors and the "proof," it's always good to remember that Google does not actually employ human beings. When you realize that, everything is better. It's like the day you realize getting mad at your car doesn't actually hurt its feelings as you hoped it might.
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  • Profile picture of the author xMarkPro
    I'm pretty sure Google isn't going to fail.
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    • Profile picture of the author Trivum
      Originally Posted by xMarkPro View Post

      I'm pretty sure Google isn't going to fail.
      Lots of former internet giants have gone away. Why not Google? ... Everything they seem to try that has anything to do with the social web (i.e. the current "future of the web") seems to fail.
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    • Profile picture of the author neojr
      Hey guys,

      I think you should stop fighting Google. Instead, follow some simple steps to make your website get advantage from the Panda update, as you can see at Stop Fighting Google: Embracing the Farmer Update | SEO Desk

      Neo
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    • Profile picture of the author King Louie
      Google has been so embedded into our Internet culture. Google has become synonymous with Web search. "Google it" has become a popular phrase. So it might take something spectacular for Google to bite the dust. I could be wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    Google needs a serious competitor!

    Bing is slowly rising in the ranks and capturing more market share. But who's to say they will not act just like Google once they get higher up in the pile?

    March 2011 Search Market Share Report

    Personally, I generally ignore Google. If I see a great link I feel will help my company, I'll buy it. And I don't stress over whether the link is follow, nofollow or left behind

    One really strange behavior is their "banned for life" policy when it comes to Adsense and other programs. Innocent or guilty, if they think you done it - you're out for life. Crazy! Even bank robbers get out after serving a set number of years.

    Hopefully, Bing and Yahoo will get closer and closer. As they do, Google will have no choice but to begin dealing fully in reality.

    Do like I do and start using Bing and Yahoo more. You'll be surprised.
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    • Profile picture of the author zanbrok
      I believe its inevitable to see a new SE to compete with google in the future and only then will google ease off on how they treat IM'ers. I remember when SE's made their living off advertising live overture. Obviosly google does not care about the few they ban everyday. its a drop in the bucket for them. Now imagine a new SE comes along with competing traffic, prices and millions of Adwords advertisers switch over. They may even go out of business. Google is like a stuck up 18 year old rich girl, full of attitude until things start to go sour, then they change their stride real fast.

      Originally Posted by hotlinkz View Post

      Google needs a serious competitor!

      Bing is slowly rising in the ranks and capturing more market share. But who's to say they will not act just like Google once they get higher up in the pile?

      March 2011 Search Market Share Report

      Personally, I generally ignore Google. If I see a great link I feel will help my company, I'll buy it. And I don't stress over whether the link is follow, nofollow or left behind

      One really strange behavior is their "banned for life" policy when it comes to Adsense and other programs. Innocent or guilty, if they think you done it - you're out for life. Crazy! Even bank robbers get out after serving a set number of years.

      Hopefully, Bing and Yahoo will get closer and closer. As they do, Google will have no choice but to begin dealing fully in reality.

      Do like I do and start using Bing and Yahoo more. You'll be surprised.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    I don't think Google is going to fail anytime soon. They're not hurting their primary money-makers - the people who actually use the search to find useful information. By providing this, they are meeting the people's needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    I use to pay Google several thousand per month in adwords for my campaigns. They crushed all my campaigns. What is the reason they gave me. They do not like affiliate programs. Yeah, like for example amazon.

    This is plain crazy. I have been using Google for years. They use to hike up my per click money using a score. Well, now they crushed all my campaigns. The writing is on the wall for all of us.

    Please remember that I use to advertise on Yahoo until they got nasty with me. This forced me into Google's waiting arms. History repeats itself - again.
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  • you are talking from your frustration. yes google seems to be dull some time but it has a own unique business strategy. they have made their base so hard that it will be very tough to beat them in th market. but if google do not cheat with the people and value the people's demand , then they will not gonna fail.

    thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author athanne
    Please lets wish Google the best.We need them so much
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  • Profile picture of the author MarathonMan
    You seem upset because Google isn't making you their top priority. Chances are, you own a relatively small business and Google won't spend one second of their time to cater specifically to you - they've got much more to worry about.

    And it's not only you - I earn hundreds a day through Adsense, so I'm technically a Google contractor, and I've only JUST started getting any actual feedback and contacts from real Google employees.

    You have to realize that if Google actually gave every little ****ty website or publisher an answer to every complaint they made, they would have no time to do what their real job is - run a search engine.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by MarathonMan View Post

      You seem upset because Google isn't making you their top priority. Chances are, you own a relatively small business and Google won't spend one second of their time to cater specifically to you - they've got much more to worry about.

      And it's not only you - I earn hundreds a day through Adsense, so I'm technically a Google contractor, and I've only JUST started getting any actual feedback and contacts from real Google employees.

      You have to realize that if Google actually gave every little ****ty website or publisher an answer to every complaint they made, they would have no time to do what their real job is - run a search engine.
      Also, this would be a good time to point out that Google is slowly moving in a different direction now with its mobile initiative. Google is putting everything mobile first, and this includes mobile advertising through their recent acquisition of the Admob platform, its mobile search engine, Android, etc.

      Google sees this as the future of computing, and while they obviously won't neglect Adwords and Adsense, their focus going forward is going to be on the mobile arena.

      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author JayWeir
    I agree that fewer people will want to spend thousands of dollars on seo when google keeps changing its algorithm. Particularly when there are websites like facebook, ebay and twitter that can be a lucrative source of traffic I think that fewer people would be willing to fall on their knees at the altar of google. In particular, google traffic unlike ebay traffic for example is browser traffic vs buyer traffic. Buyer traffic is so much easier to monetize than browser traffic.
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    • Profile picture of the author MarathonMan
      Originally Posted by JaysonDrake View Post

      I agree that fewer people will want to spend thousands of dollars on seo when google keeps changing its algorithm. Particularly when there are websites like facebook, ebay and twitter that can be a lucrative source of traffic I think that fewer people would be willing to fall on their knees at the altar of google. In particular, google traffic unlike ebay traffic for example is browser traffic vs buyer traffic. Buyer traffic is so much easier to monetize than browser traffic.
      Google doesn't care whether proper spend money on SEO, it has absolutely no effect on their bottom line. They don't answer to publishers, they answer to users - and they're still by far the best search engine available.
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  • Profile picture of the author Flouster
    Google will certainly slow down, but will not fail. Look at it this way, Google sees everything as data and simply converts data into dollars. Dollars are the only thing that matter to any large company. That is how all large businesses work. Each and every part of the business is dollar oriented. Therefore, every part of these companies despise anything that may not return more than it puts out. From employees to small customers like us. Should we fall away in large enough numbers Google will respond. Until then, you are lower than the dog crap on the bottom of their shoes and will remain that way. Coincidentally, I do the same! The day they screwed me was the day I began to find alternatives that in the end resulted in a better return for me. Now Google is the crap on the bottom of my shoe. Sooner or later they will respond.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicolas simpson
    Its funny , with so many people want to advertise with them, its really a overload and man power just not enough..they definitely need to work on there contact system..so many people are unable to get in contact with them and are losing money.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by nicolas simpson View Post

      Its funny , with so many people want to advertise with them, its really a overload and man power just not enough..they definitely need to work on there contact system..so many people are unable to get in contact with them and are losing money.
      I think its funny people think a company is going to fail, when they are at the point where they don't NEED to make it easy for people to advertise. LOL.
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie888
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        I think its funny people think a company is going to fail, when they are at the point where they don't NEED to make it easy for people to advertise. LOL.
        Exactly. When they have advertisers literally throwing money at them at the rate of $5 or more per click in some cases (it can hit well over $10 per click for certain keywords), they can be pretty selective about who they want to work with - obviously, they would prefer savvy advertisers with deep pockets, not amateurs who will whine and complain about losing their last $50 or $500 on Adwords.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anthony Aires
    Great Post, Great Replies! Really enjoyed reading them all...and being a victim myself getting banned back in March 2010 all I can say (after it took a week for my girlfriend to talk me off the ledge) is that it is one of the best things that has happened to me.

    It's forced me to think outside of the box and find alternatives sources of traffic that have become far more profitable for me, and allows me to sleep at night too knowing I don't have to worry about Google being the only game in town.

    There's plenty of offers and networks to promote, and so many traffic sources that convert just as good as my adwords campaigns did...

    I agree that karma will get The Goog in the ass, it may be hard to believe that it could happen, and I remember not to long ago that I felt same about Yahoo when Google came onto the block I felt Yahoo could never be taken down, and well here we are today...

    Keep your chin up and don't lose sleep over this, if you're smart enough to make money with adwords you can do it in other ways...just don't quit that's the worst thing you can do...you gotta get back on and keep riding into the sunset.

    Yours For Prosperity,

    Anthony Aires
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  • Profile picture of the author mikenice
    According to Wikipedia, as of late 2010; Google had a 91% share of the SE market (use) followed by Yahoo at 4% and Bing at 3%. When that kind of power is handed to you, it follows suit that you will be the one to make changes in the interest of all, and to organize and plan the near future. It's not a "Google" thing at all - they just happen to be in the lead.
    They can do as they see fit, keeping the best interest of the consumer in mind which is really the bottom line. If a few people get brushed to the side, oh well. I would chalk it up to bitter experience if in that circumstance, and do the best to move ahead, regardless. I empathize with you totally.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by mikenice View Post

      According to Wikipedia, as of late 2010; Google had a 91% share of the SE market (use) followed by Yahoo at 4% and Bing at 3%. When that kind of power is handed to you, it follows suit that you will be the one to make changes in the interest of all, and to organize and plan the near future. It's not a "Google" thing at all - they just happen to be in the lead.
      They can do as they see fit, keeping the best interest of the consumer in mind which is really the bottom line. If a few people get brushed to the side, oh well. I would chalk it up to bitter experience if in that circumstance, and do the best to move ahead, regardless. I empathize with you totally.
      Completely inaccurate to say the least... I'm not 100% sure here but last I saw was they had a 63% market share. Bing powered search is 30ish% share.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikenice
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        Completely inaccurate to say the least... I'm not 100% sure here but last I saw was they had a 63% market share. Bing powered search is 30ish% share.
        See wikipedia article: "Web search engine" - graphic on the far right

        The actual source is noted as:
        "Top 5 Search Engines from Oct to Dec (20)10"
        StatCounter
        Retrieved 17 January 2011.
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  • Profile picture of the author PromoDirect
    Eventhough we say that we have problems with their services and assistance. But we can't deny the fact that our targeted customers prefer Google to buy stuff and services. Google is but one of the best sources that could generate huge sales for anyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author chaddo
    Still here In india, market has been good..

    Coz here there are not many internet marketers..

    My websites still rank on number 3 and 2 for my keywords and my business has grown all thanks to Google..
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  • Profile picture of the author davidfstyles
    It seems to me Google's end 'clients' are the people who search for stuff online. That's who they are trying to give a 'quality user experience'. So as advertisers we just need to give Google what it wants... and that is to give their users a quality user experience. Personally I don't have a problem with Google now, but it did take me hundreds of tests to figure out exactly what they want... especially with the Quality Score issues.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by davidfstyles View Post

      It seems to me Google's end 'clients' are the people who search for stuff online. That's who they are trying to give a 'quality user experience'. So as advertisers we just need to give Google what it wants... and that is to give their users a quality user experience. Personally I don't have a problem with Google now, but it did take me hundreds of tests to figure out exactly what they want... especially with the Quality Score issues.
      Exactly. Google is really concerned about what their end users experience, and I'm sure that it's found many of the smaller marketers trying to circumvent the system and advertise shady make money online and forex robot products (among others), which detracts from the user experience.
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      • Profile picture of the author zanbrok
        Then why does adwords ppc exist? Im sure surfers have no interest whatsoever in results from ppc since the organic results are pretty damn accurate.
        Google is a business like any other. They can't survive without ppc but they copped a major attitude since they have majority market share. I sure hope that changes so they learn their lesson. IM'ers is who pays their bills not surfers and their business model should be "respect the hand that feeds you" not crap on it.


        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        Exactly. Google is really concerned about what their end users experience, and I'm sure that it's found many of the smaller marketers trying to circumvent the system and advertise shady make money online and forex robot products (among others), which detracts from the user experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    Except that some of you pro-Google people forget that this thread didn't start by addressing those that have tried to game them. If you'll re-read the original post, it is addressing those businesses that have done everything right. A company like Google that completely ignores it's legitimate customers is wrong I don't care how you try to spin it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
    If people spent half the time trying to figure out how to work WITH Google as they do in hoping that they will fail (ain't happening anytime soon) the'd have a more successful IM experience. Can't think of any company that gives you worse support? How about this -

    Name me a company that succeeded by not learning to work with their business partners? Worse the ones that supply you with customers. You use Google for one reason and only one reason - they have the multimillion users that include your buyers.

    they are not required to give them to you on a platter. Until you get enough of your own customers without them theres is no use moaning and groaning about it. Your best "revenge" (if they have made you angry ) is to work with them until you no longer need them.

    anything else is futile.

    Thing is though most of the times if you were working with them they wouldn't have made you so angry.
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  • Profile picture of the author simonbuzz
    Banned
    Yah you are right...but anyway everyone depends on google
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  • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
    Google connects advertisers with customers. Their strength lies in having the customers happy. They can afford to be a pain to advertisers because while they move the volume they move, they will keep having people willing to pay them.

    they might go down if they ever scare the browsers away for some reason. Whether it is because of competition, or a matter of misuse of personal information. It is scary to see how much info google collects from us on a daily basis, even if you have nothing to hide.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

      It is scary to see how much info google collects from us on a daily basis, even if you have nothing to hide.
      They were on Capitol Hill just yesterday answering questions about privacy.
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  • Profile picture of the author RogerAderholdt
    Well I guess the easy way to help Goggle to fail would be to STOP buying PPC from them.

    I stopped long ago.

    Do I loose sales. I'm sure I do, but I don't go to bed every night feeling like I've been ripped off.
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  • Profile picture of the author highave1
    Yes, I'm also demure google can't fail any way
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  • Profile picture of the author Liam Ireland
    I don't think google will fail. They have grown too big and hey, they practicly own the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    As a marketer and SEO, i have my share of experiences with Google...as so many.

    Starting with bans on Adwords/Adsense etc..never any proper reasons given...to the constant fight about site ranking, site penalizations, page rank penalizations and much more...

    But the biggest gripe i have with them (despite personal being angered about IMO unjustified bans)....is that i think that the current ranking algorithm is just wrong with too much "favoritism" what THEY deem "authority sites"...and often totally ignoring actually site content.

    If a "reader's digest" one-pager pathetic article is ranking #1 in Google for weight loss you start to wonder about the validity of their results...
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    • Profile picture of the author KenB
      Originally Posted by cosmokid
      The thing that creeps me out about Google is how, with the decline of physical, brick and mortar bookstores and the restricted budgets for local libraries, we're seeing entire generations of children raised to believe everything that Google indexes in its first few pages of results. And, as we IMers know, a lot of what appears on the first few pages is stuff written by marketers who aren't necessarily knowledgeable about the topics they're writing about, but they are presenting themselves as authorities or with authority.

      The lack of alternative sources for information really, really concerns me.
      Thinking about it.. Your right.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Skuse
    Google have their fingers in too many pies to fail. And I'm not just talking about the different web applications and services they have. They own and are involved with many companies, and have invested in many.

    Google's search engine is still on top and probably will be for a very long time to come. We all need to be able to search. However, I do think that Facebook is a huge threat to them. I no longer find funny or interesting stuff through Google; it all just automatically comes to me through my Facebook feed.
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  • Profile picture of the author spectrefax
    Google is rediculous.

    I was attempting to sell an ebook I wrote for online poker and I was told by I adwords I would need to apply, be approved, and pay for a gambling license with each individual territory that my ad would be shown to.

    For selling a BOOK. Get the **** out google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vexo
    Yea i agree. I mean if you are taking adsense seriously and try to make a living out of it the least they could do is respond to your e-mails . I have never received even one e-mail back from them.

    I dont think they are going to fail soon as they are just to big but I just think that they are handling their business partners (adsense publishers) like ****, we are making THEM money. The problem is that there is no decent competition.
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  • Profile picture of the author colinph970
    If I may.....business is about making money...obvious I know. But think about what this means in reality. It means that businesses exist to make money.....easily, quickly and the best ones do it legally. In the world of IM then Google is king. So learn to provide real quality content and content that also what people are searching for....if you do this then Google will smile on you. Quite right. Is Google so wrong in its business model? What's wrong with providing the best quality to the customer - seems like a pretty good business model to me!
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by colinph970 View Post

      So learn to provide real quality content and content that also what people are searching for....if you do this then Google will smile on you.
      There are a lot of people that are doing exactly what Google wants and still being penalized. This is why so many are upset with them. And if you read some of the posts in this thread you'll see links to places like Seobook and others that have documented all this and given numerous examples of Google miscommunication and hypocrisy.
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    • Profile picture of the author celente
      Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

      Write all the quality content you want. If it's really good, someone will scrape it, blast it through xrumer and profit from it using Google's algorithm.

      By the way, Google's customers are its advertisers. When they treat them like dogs, something is very, very wrong.
      hit it on the head there brother.

      There is always ways to make money when you have teh monopoly, and the best thing with good is that as they test, they just keep getting mroe and more traffic.

      I am not suprised they write down 100 ideas on the whiteboard, and just go through and test which ones work the best.

      No alot of marketers can do that, because their traffic would dry up somewhat, but not with google.
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  • Profile picture of the author seamusb
    Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

    It is my opinion that they will fail if they continue down this path. What do you think? Can Google fail or have they simply gotten too big to control?
    D
    Don't forget, Google is a company of engineers. Hence, it is more like a huge machine than a standard company. Ultra efficient but not very, ah, personable.

    I don't see Google dying out but I do see them moving away from a purely software driven search results and using social media mentions / reviews in the SERPS. Don't know if the customer service will improve though
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by seamusb View Post

      Don't forget, Google is a company of engineers. Hence, it is more like a huge machine than a standard company. Ultra efficient but not very, ah, personable.
      Interesting point and it does make sense as I've worked with a lot of engineer/IT types in the last 11 years and you can see the patterns. They're definitely not always personable. More often very dry and sometimes just plain awkward.
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  • Profile picture of the author Henri Lemon
    Look at Groupon, they are flourishing because of small business attraction. And that's what's making them so profitable. Google's missing out big time.
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    • Profile picture of the author capitalalchemy
      They are simply an evil company and I don't know of any other company that has had so many lawsuits filed against them. The FTC is looking into several things right now, and I really think it's just a matter of time (I think Google will be taken down a major notch within a year, or most likely broken up).

      They've personally let me down through search and adwords. I think their algorithm is junk, and I look at yahoo and it's much, much more accurate at indexing websites than Google is.

      I'm done using Google on all fronts. They have cost me thousands in both hours and money.

      I call them the "dream killers", because they honestly get in the way of dreams, and my mom told me once "what, do you think the internet is your playground?". Of course it's not, but Google sure treats it like it's theirs.

      You had the incident with the "doodle for google" and getting kids SS numbers on the sly, currently their is a class action law suit for $50 million in regards to their stupid android collecting private data, the FTC is waiting to see what departments in Europe are going to do in regards to Google monopolizing the European search market, and FTC is investigating their offices as we speak (so I've heard) and they are looking into google acquiring youtube to block Yahoo from search data.

      Plus there are thousands of other accounts. They are honestly in hot water and are too arrogant to even know it. You could sit their and defend them all you want, but

      A: would you feel comfortable working for a company that is always under legal pressure, and...

      B: do you really believe that a company is open to helping people through search and happy living if they are always being taken to court, especially being investigated over and over again by the FTC? what does that tell you?

      Let's just put it this way, if I owned stock with this company - I would jump ship on this one.
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  • Profile picture of the author dirtdigger
    Whenever we catch on to Google and find a way to game their system they change the rules. That is as it should be. But the quality of their searches keeps getting worse, that is less accurate for me the searcher. Their search results of two years ago were much better than the search results of today.
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  • Profile picture of the author webwisemedia
    I think Google is too well-known to fail. They can spend money just picking themselves up again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    Have you ever noticed that when the phrase, "too big to fail" is used with a company, it usually means nothing but trouble for the rest of us?
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  • Profile picture of the author GiveAndBeRich
    Don't be evil is the Google slogan. As we know, psychologically the brain hearing this over and over only hears Be Evil.
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  • Profile picture of the author dagaul101
    I agree that Google is a little more strict in its requirements the bigger it gets, but I think this is symptomatic of companies that just get big
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  • Profile picture of the author Cee
    I had advertised my own website that sold affiliate memberships to a movie website. Mind you these were not xxx movies or even adult just general movies. I sold a few memberships and then kind of lost intereest. Then I kept seeing this guy that was constantly advertising this same movie website on adwords 24/7. I thought this guy must be raking it in. So yeah I admit I clicked on his website and saw he wasn't actually advertising just that one movie website but had reviews of several. So being a newbie my logic dicated I should sign up for membership on the same affiliate websites and make tons of money like him.

    Big mistake. Apparently the sites I had signed up for were streaming websites that are against regulations on google. I had no idea about this at all until google simply refused to run my first ad and told me why. I admit I should have checked this out but thought if the other guy is having his ads running night and day it must be okay with google.

    So anyway the first ad was refused and I thought just shuck it (something like that ) And didn't even go into my google adwords account for over 6 months after having deleted my attempted ad. Well out of the blue I received an email from google that my adwords account had been banned. With no activity whatsoever and an ad that hadn't even run and that I had deleted by me.

    I went to the google forum and asked why and managed to get hold of some staff from google who were actually very polite but told me all sorts of hogwash about my website that had the links to the affiliate sites being infected by virus and low landing quality etc. I ran it through my antivirus and there was no virus and since the ad had never run in the first place and I wasn't even advertising it anywhere at this point except letting the domain name lapse I got the run around. They did give me some advice after apparently not listening to the fact that I did not even actively run this website anymore and told me that in order to get reinstated I needed to contact the website I had been advertising and tell them to improve their landing page quality. As if!

    So after apparently being banned from advertising on google for life I still use it to do my searches and still work on ranking higher because they are the ones where the money is right now. If something better comes along I'll switch to that. It doesn't matter to me how I get traffic from google whether through adwords or organic as long as I get traffic from them. The ironic thing is that I keep getting sent these $100 adwords coupons from google Canada wanting me to sign up for an adwords account.
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    So after apparently being banned from advertising on google for life I still use it to do my searches and still work on ranking higher because they are the ones where the money is right now. If something better comes along I'll switch to that. It doesn't matter to me how I get traffic from google whether through adwords or organic as long as I get traffic from them.

    Cee, it seems that you're a classic case of someone that has been treated unfairly by a company yet you refuse to do anything about it. You're no different than people that constantly complain about Walmart (for a variety of reasons) yet they continue to shop there.
    Until you have the courage and/or desire to change something, you should not complain about it. As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
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    • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
      I have a client that use to spend close to $1 Million Dollars monthly with Google Adwords that all of the sudden had negative keywords in the Google Instant results for their company. They flew out to Google and waited in their lobby for 8 hours and couldn't get a meeting with anybody.

      Google claims that 97% of their revenue is from advertisers and I'm baffled on how they treat their clients.

      Recently I've seen Google trying to keep up with Bing and Facebook.

      Here is an article about how Google 'fumbled the ball' with social marketing.

      Schmidt Says Google’s Social Networking Problem Is His Fault (Video) – AllThingsD
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      • Profile picture of the author Giftys
        Originally Posted by davidjames42973 View Post

        I have a client that use to spend close to $1 Million Dollars monthly with Google Adwords that all of the sudden had negative keywords in the Google Instant results for their company. They flew out to Google and waited in their lobby for 8 hours and couldn't get a meeting with anybody.

        Google claims that 97% of their revenue is from advertisers and I'm baffled on how they treat their clients.
        This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Name one other company that treats their customers this way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cee
      Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

      Cee, it seems that you're a classic case of someone that has been treated unfairly by a company yet you refuse to do anything about it. You're no different than people that constantly complain about Walmart (for a variety of reasons) yet they continue to shop there.
      Until you have the courage and/or desire to change something, you should not complain about it. As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

      Well what am I supposed to do about it? If you have any effective suggestions I sure would like to hear them. Do you propose taking up a class action law suit? Mass revolt against google? What?

      Until then I'll continue to use the most popular search engine. Like it or not. It would be stupid not to. As for the adwords account being banned. Well that's their loss not mine. No more ad money from me. And from many others either if they keep banning accounts for the most ridiculous things. That's the way they'll do themselves in if they keep banning accounts.
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      • Profile picture of the author Giftys
        Originally Posted by Cee View Post

        Well what am I supposed to do about it? If you have any effective suggestions I sure would like to hear them.
        1. Keep speaking up about it
        2. Do not use their search engine
        3. Blog about it
        4. Do not support their new projects
        5. Keep contacting them over and over and over again demanding better and holding them accountable.
        6. Tweet about it
        7. Write them letters
        8. Start a Facebook Page
        9. Join organizations that fight against monolopys
        10. Educate others about how Google does business
        11. Etc.

        And most importantly, NEVER think that you have no power over a large company. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you care to get involved and help make a difference in this world.
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        • Profile picture of the author Cee
          Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

          1. Keep speaking up about it
          2. Do not use their search engine
          3. Blog about it
          4. Do not support their new projects
          5. Keep contacting them over and over and over again demanding better and holding them accountable.
          6. Tweet about it
          7. Write them letters
          8. Start a Facebook Page
          9. Join organizations that fight against monolopys
          10. Educate others about how Google does business
          11. Etc.

          And most importantly, NEVER think that you have no power over a large company. You would be amazed at what you can do if you care to get involved and help make a difference in this world.

          Granted those are good suggestions I give that to you. So I imagine you are doing all those things already? Right? On a daily basis? Completely relentless in your pursuit?

          My question was actually meant to be rhetorical and not to be taken literally.

          But you seem rather passionate about this. Me, the reason I told my story was only to confirm that google does stupid and incomprehensible things at times. I'm not out to single handed bring them down or start a large scale campaign against them.

          That list you suggested my friend sounds like a personal vendetta that would take an inordinate amount of time and energy to implement. Time and energy I would rather spend on trying to build my business and start making a decent income on line. Here's the thing you can either continue to focus on the negative google done you wrong thing endlessly rehashing and talking and complaining about it or you can focus your mind on going up over and around and even with google to achieve your income goals or whatever you want to achieve with internet marketing.

          They shoot themselves in the foot when they treat their advertisers like they do. They will undo themselves in the end without needing help from anyone else. The amount of bad will being generated is like a ripple that gets larger and larger.

          Peace
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          • Profile picture of the author Giftys
            Originally Posted by Cee View Post

            Granted those are good suggestions I give that to you. So I imagine you are doing all those things already? Right? On a daily basis?
            I try to practice what I preach. I can't do all of them but I can do some of them. You asked what you can do. I offered some creative suggestions.

            I'm not out to single handed bring them down...
            Not single-handedly... collectively. There is power in numbers. Working together, people can do amazing things.

            That list you suggested my friend sounds like a personal vendetta...
            No, I'm not about that. You'd have to know me. But I do speak out. I have been wronged by the company and I'm holding them accountable for their actions. When a company as pompous as Google thinks it doesn't need to speak to you when you have invested tens of thousands of dollars them, more people need to know that this is the way they do business. Do I have high expectations. No, I'm realistic. But as you've been able to see, many others in this thread have had a similar experience. As people continue to speak up, it will slowly make a difference. At some point they'll have to address these concerns of their customers. Think our actions don't work? They just recently started communicating with their adwords customers on a limited basis through e-mail. This is a result of little threads like this all over the net. People speaking up. People, as seemingly insignificant as they are, putting their collective voices together and saying, NO GOOGLE, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. - It DOES make a difference.
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        • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
          Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

          1. Keep speaking up about it
          2. Do not use their search engine
          3. Blog about it
          4. Do not support their new projects
          5. Keep contacting them over and over and over again demanding better and holding them accountable.
          6. Tweet about it
          7. Write them letters
          8. Start a Facebook Page
          9. Join organizations that fight against monolopys
          10. Educate others about how Google does business
          11. Etc.

          And most importantly, NEVER think that you have no power over a large company. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you care to get involved and help make a difference in this world.
          Good suggestions. Only if people start doing these things, something can change.

          All the complaining may not help, as long as Google keeps raking in the money. Google is more likely to change anything if they lose market share.

          Whether you like Google or not, a shift in market share that makes it less dominant would be good for every business. No business should be depended on Google, and having more variety in the SE market would help.

          So you don't need to be pissed about Google to just help to make them less dominant.

          One of the best and easiest things to do is promoting Bing. They are on an upward trend already.

          Support this trend by changing your standard browser search site. Blog about Bing. Tweet about Bing. Get attention to Bing.

          Our industry is at the front of web developments, because we are directly involved with SEO, web site creation and all the stuff. We are the people who can support any new trend.

          If we don't start shifting attention from Google to its competitors, who will?

          Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author George Phillip
    Google will never fail.
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  • Profile picture of the author BigNorm
    Reading a majority of your posts I see one common theme which is your all pissed at Google for messing with your income streams.....at what stage was Google a shopping mall browser?

    They are a web based search engine whose concern is not you but the people who use them day in and day out to look for information on the internet and it's US that make Google change the rules and update their algorithms to weed out the crap and leave people with viable content. You think they want to spend millions of dollars on combating link farms, wheel, pyramids, forum spam etc created by someone who is providing poor content or in some cases, not even that just a 301 to a vendors page trying to porn off products with out providing any real substance in content.

    Google's main business base is being a search engine and providing users the easiest and best way to access the information they want. They understand that it's the masses which control the market, provide a valuable service and you corner the market and people will come in droves to use your service above anyone else's. Sound familiar? It should do, we all model our business on the same principle.

    Google slapped a couple of my websites with their last update, eh, I changed it around and now they're back to where they were before the update. I look at it as growth and change, a normal evolution of any business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by BigNorm View Post

      Reading a majority of your posts I see one common theme which is your all pissed at Google for messing with your income streams.....at what stage was Google a shopping mall browser?

      They are a web based search engine whose concern is not you but the people who use them day in and day out to look for information on the internet and it's US that make Google change the rules and update their algorithms to weed out the crap and leave people with viable content. You think they want to spend millions of dollars on combating link farms, wheel, pyramids, forum spam etc created by someone who is providing poor content or in some cases, not even that just a 301 to a vendors page trying to porn off products with out providing any real substance in content.

      Google's main business base is being a search engine and providing users the easiest and best way to access the information they want. They understand that it's the masses which control the market, provide a valuable service and you corner the market and people will come in droves to use your service above anyone else's. Sound familiar? It should do, we all model our business on the same principle.

      Google slapped a couple of my websites with their last update, eh, I changed it around and now they're back to where they were before the update. I look at it as growth and change, a normal evolution of any business.
      Big Norm, if you'll read the OP, it addresses those that are doing everything right. Some of the people complaining indeed may have spammed and used Black Hat, etc. but many also have legitimate complaints from real issues and they are not being addressed by Google. To repeat yet again, we have spent tens of thousands of dollars with them and we can't get one single reply. This is not an exaggeration. Again, name me one other company that does business this way. It is shameful!
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      • Profile picture of the author BigNorm
        I understand your complaint and you do have a legitimate one, but to lay the blame solely on Google is ridiculous. The blame is more so on black hat marketeers in any market. Google has to protect their search engine first and foremost as it is considered the most user friendly one by those who use it.

        I can name you companies which do this, there are websites full of them. One which is of the size of Google, no I can't though I have had my issues with eBay a few times, more than enough to stop using them.

        Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

        Big Norm, if you'll read the OP, it addresses those that are doing everything right. Some of the people complaining indeed may have spammed and used Black Hat, etc. but many also have legitimate complaints from real issues and they are not being addressed by Google. To repeat yet again, we have spent tens of thousands of dollars with them and we can't get one single reply. This is not an exaggeration. Again, name me one other company that does business this way. It is shameful!
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    "Dont be evil"

    I think thats going to eventually come back to haunt them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Phuoc
    I surely hope not .. Google is getting bigger everyday and with future updates I believe that better things will come for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author shock_s
    The Golden Rule applies: He who has the gold rules. While customer service is non-existent, they are a company in flux. They've screwed up some things, but they know search. Farmer, Panda and the other updates are not an accident. Google looks at what is working and tries to adjust. Some adjustments work, some don't. Until they perform a series of catastrophic updates that can't be undone, they will survive. They may not thrive.
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  • Profile picture of the author AVLopez
    They make it too hard to get your website onto the search results, that's the only thing I don't like about them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Buxx
    This is a pretty common theme in business. Eventually, the toll of being a behemoth gets too large. The innovation and ability to adapt gives way to bureaucracy.
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