Just Say “No” to Google
Yesterday, I blogged about the Google’s new Sidewiki, the virtual graffiti for the Internet.
It’s only been out a few days, and you can already see how it’s being abused in “Google Sidewiki: Brand Names Under Attack.”
On top of that, what happens when people begin selling Sidewiki comments? You don’t think there won’t be an underground market for Sidewiki comments? You know it’s going to happen, and people WILL find ways of getting around Google’s algorithms. Just look at all the junky sites you can find in Google’s search engine results!
As I mentioned yesterday, this is not something a webmaster can opt-out of. There is no opt-in either. If the tool were so valuable, you would think webmaster would jump at the change to opt-in, no? But, forcing it only goes to show that this “tool” really offers nothing of value to the webmaster. However, it will be quickly gamed by some webmasters. Spammy comments will be left on other sites. Comments will be bought and sold. In the end, with the gaming of Sidewiki comments that will happen, they will become essentially useless anyway.
However, scores of die-hard Google users, who think that if something can’t be found in Google it must not be on the Internet, will not know any better. They won’t know the comments are manipulated and unreliable. They’ll happily plod along, thinking they’re getting good info, when, in fact, it is likely tainted.
And then Google will probably start sticking ads in there, so that they can make a buck off of your site and your content without any compensation to you.
And, if you want to leave a comment with Google giving them your opinion on this new tool, you have to–A-HA!–open a Google account! That’s right. As a webmaster, you don’t have to have a Google Account to have Sidewiki comments appear on your website, but if you want to respond to any of these comments, you have to register for a Google Account. They get you and your info either way.
Plus, if you have a blog, you already allow comments, right? People comment on your blog. Now, they can comment on Sidewiki instead, which moves the conversation from your blog to something under Google’s control. So, are you going to respond to comments in two locations? You will now have to compete against something that appears on your own site for interaction with your visitors!
It’s utter nonsense.
So, with Google giving me no other option, I am now blocking Google Toolbar users from visiting this blog. If you have the Google Toolbar installed, you will need to disable it (or uninstall it) before visiting this blog.
I’ll change this policy when Google changes theirs.
Yikes! Thanks for posting this. I actually had to double-check to make sure I DON’T have Google toolbar. I have a feeling Google may be cancelling or making major changes to SideWiki once they see the level of abuse.
I doubt it. Google likely has ulterior motives.
I am done with Google, they slapped me and stopped serving ads on my site. I’ve since gone to free hosting and not on blogspot either. Anyway you can find me at http://www.debohobo.wordpress.com
Be careful and make sure you have a backup. WordPress.com has a low tolerance for any kind of commercial usage and, from what I’ve heard, you don’t get a warning. You’ll just go to your blog one day and it’ll be gone. So, if you’re doing anything that might make money on your blog, watch out!
No, I am pretty much done blogging for now. Believe it or not something so easy some how got very stressful. After that crash out of no where that caused me to lose all the images from the past two years, I have quickly lost interest.
I’ll be back…hopefully I’ll be able to find y’all when I do.