Is Google Getting Too Big?

"It is impossible for ideas to compete in the marketplace if no forum for
their presentation is provided or available." Thomas Mann, 1896

The Business Forum Journal

Is Google Getting Too Big . . . .
and controlling what they want you to see?

By George Carson

As much as we all love and use Google everyday to find information, we are slowly becoming dependent upon them to guide us to what we hope is all the information.

What I am telling you, is that I truly believe that Google is actually controlling what information they want us to read about. Yes, you can say that about any search engine these days, including Yahoo, etc. But if you recall when we all began using Google it was simply because of their ability to provide more of the listings of places, people, and information that we were searching for.

I do like them, and Google has been perfecting their searches, but are you aware of the recent changes to their algorithms? Their updates have hurt and have actually destroyed many websites who rely upon the traffic they gain from the searches we instigate.

I recommend that you do not only rely on Google alone anymore, but start using other sources, (search engines that is), to get a good cross reference of information. Just like getting more than one doctor�s opinion is the logical thing to do, I sincerely believe that we should do the same with our searches.

You might recall when Google launched its Panda update four years ago, it had a terrible affect on thousands of websites. You probably noticed that Google is now providing more and more content directly on its search pages. Yes, that is a good thing in many ways, but it also reduces the need for users to click over to the actual websites, therefore reducing the traffic to other sites. To take this argument a step further, are you aware that Google is now showing lyrics in search results? They will show part of the lyrics and then insert a link to their Google Play if you want to see the entire lyrics. Is that not just more control that Google has over us by directing us to where we can get information from? In a way it is a form of benign censorship.

Perhaps you need a little more proof? For example a list of the top �Falling Stars for 2014� by SearchMetrics will show us in terms of search visibility and various lyrics sites that made the list. LyricsMode and Sing365 both fell 60%. That is a pretty dramatic decrease! The hardest hit in this category was eLyrics.net which fell 92%! Here is the link to the full list of falling stars: http://bit.ly/1uLdfHt

Many of these and other business sites can only survive with the flow of traffic they get from searches. We are seeing many of these online lyric sites decreasing staff in order to survive. I am sure this is also true for other online businesses. So what is the solution? Well for now, in my opinion, I suggest that when you develop a social media campaign strategy, you do more than hope you get listed on Google, and include a much wider array of social media to keep your message in front of both potential and current customers.

George Carson is a Fellow of The Business Forum Institute and he has been active in the advertising arena since 1973. He has successfully developed unique concepts, programs, designs and corporate campaigns for a variety of local, regional and national accounts. He founded his own advertising and publicity firm in 1980. Since that time, he has provided the marketing and publicity services to a wide range of clients including: Jeep Corporation, Sir Speedy Corporation, Yamaha Sports, Regal Medial Group, Bell Brand Foods, Laura Scudder�s, CBS radio, Uniden LPGA Golf Tournament, the City of Orange, Universal Studios, Snak King, ASICS sporting goods, La Reina Family Brands, Partition Specialties Inc., MVP RV, Yamaha Music Schools, Encryption Solutions, Inc., McMahon�s RV, amongst others. As a designer in Los Angeles, California, George co-founded a design studio where he created materials for a variety of television shows and motion pictures: including: �The Sting�, �Kojak�, and �Lombard and Gable�. He also developed campaigns for Kenny Rogers, the Osmonds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Budget Rent-A-Car, Transamerica and Occidental Life. George holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design with minors in English and Photography from Cal State University of Long Beach.

Visit the Authors Web Site ~ http://www.carsonandcompany.com

Contact the Author: ~ Click Here

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