Google is Black-Hatting Its Way Into China Homes
Don’t start throwing censorship bombs my way, I support free press and open communication just like the rest of you, but in this case, China has said – “It’s our Country, these are Our Rules, and if you want to play in our sandbox, You need to follow them!”
Sound Familiar? Seems like Google is getting a bit of it’s own medicine, in a much different form!
Google, like hundreds of thousands of webmasters who have troubles ranking websites in Googles own products, – is trying to skirt its way around the China rules, and has employed deceptive practices to show their results to people in China!
All I have to say is WTF?
WHY does Google feel it is their place to circumvent laws within a country, then make light of it on their website by stating that their way around the laws is legal? OK… so I bought 75 links to a site, but did so in a way that did not really violate your rules!
Does that make it right? No… neither does Google finding loopholes around a Country’s laws!
- If they don’t want you to show uncensored results… Don’t!
- If you feel that strongly about it – shut off your website in their Country!
Previously Published Articles You May Like to Read:
- Is Matt Cutts Wearing a Black Hat?
- Is Google In the Midst of Another Update?
- What do You Know about Site Linking and Google?
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I have been doing my part to "Build the Internet" since 1994, when I built my first website! Since then, I have built hundreds of niche websites for myself and many others, focused on design, applications, ecommerce, search optimization and internet marketing.
What, civil disobedience isn’t allowed anymore? Besides, China is attempting to control a medium that is inherently uncontrollable. Google knows that China will attempt to block this, and China may largely succeed at doing so. But it brings awareness about the issue to a new level. If China doesn’t like it, they can block Google, or close the loopholes Google is using (or both)!
Let’s be honest here, civil disobedience happens all the time, just not often on a scale as large as this. Google is making a point, and they’re willing to put their bottom line behind it. I think that’s commendable (and I’m generally against Google).
@Jeff – I’m with you… I agree that Censorship is bad.
I don’t however feel that Google, or ANY other business, should have the right to circumvent the authority and/or laws to show whatever they wish, due to a technicality.
China doesn’t need Google, their very own Baidu.com search engine is already the #8 site in the world according to Alexa. OTOH, Google does need China to advertise to, hence their exploitation tactics.
IMO if they continue with their arrogant ways, it won’t be long before China does block them.
I think in the short term Google needs China but in the long term they don’t because Google is one of the most powerful brands on earth. The brand will sustain itself in China on it’s own and the people there will naturally find ways to be on Google.
@Mark Hansen – Your argument tries to define ironic relationship between how Google is dealing with this China situation and how it relates to SEOs and website operators… I can’t say I see the parallel. Google can’t well threaten to jail people who get too creative with their websites.
As for the exploitation of technicalities — aren’t laws themselves inherently layers of technicalities everywhere in the globe? Anyone ballsy enough to look out for interests they find more important than obedience will skirt around the “spirit” of laws. Those can be laws regarding demonstrations in the case of protestors, or tax codes for some guy obsessed with his net worth.
Have you yourself never bent a law when your idea of what’s right and proper doesn’t quite jibe with your city councilman, state assemblyman or senator? Why be so fussy that a company does similar?
I think Mark’s point is well taken. In instances of civil disobedience, it is the citizens or subject of the state that protest from civil disobedience. Not a multi-national corporation seeking to make a profit. We don’t call it civil disobedience if I or another government went into China and tried to do what Google is doing.
Google perceives itself as controlling the web. Now, they might not do it with tanks and other heavy handed tactics, but they wield enormous power. When they say what they want or don’t want from webmasters, they expect you to abide by their rules or suffer the consequences.
Mark’s basic point is why does Google believe it can exercise such power but does not believe that it must comply when others have power over it.
Google-schmoogle.
The G’boys like to play God. It’s an interesting scenario because in this world (online) they are.
But that does not mean that they can do what they want, when they want. Or does it?
What would happen if they decided to pull the “plug” on day?
How many businesses would turn upside down, on and offline, that use G tools and technology as an integral part of their daily operations?
I double dog dare ya!
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