Comments for Eric Lander's Blog

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by tedster

tedster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:21:37 +0000

It’s easy to get caught up in the sensationalism provoked by the illegal activities of organized crime – and that’s the part of this analogy that doesn’t work for Google.

But… organized crime grew by providing goods and services that people wanted and couldn’t easily find otherwise, and the same is true with Google. Anyone remember how frustrating search was in the 90s? We really craved something like what Google offered. And even though they didn’t invent PPC, the power of their search accuracy quickly elped Adwords to trump GoTo-Overture-Yahoo.

The next factor I look at is how each organization handled their new-found big-ness. That’s where many people have a growing mistrust of Google, even when Google has not done anything overtly coercive. Most really big organizations start to hurt the little guy, often without being aware of it. they have power, and power for its own sake often tends to replace the original core competence.

Forget about any moral-ethical-lega angles. The challenge for today’s online business is this – can you succeed without depending on Google? If you find a way, then Google provides some excellent icing for your cake. But if Google services have become your drug of choice, then you will always have a love-hate relationshiip with your pusher.

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Ryan Rivera

Ryan Rivera — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:44:51 +0000

I don’t that’s exactly accurate to say that google is an organized crime family or whatnot. It’s just a business.

While they are increasing their reach and dominance and all that, but what is it all based on? Google? Not really. It’s mostly about relevance, content and… guess who… us.

I think you can call it a sinful operation once it stops just syndicating/organizing our own behaviors, trends, tendencies and creations. I think it’s just like that analogy – guns don’t kill people, people do. So is google, it’s just a bunch of tools/structures, it’s up to you whether you use them and how you use them.

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Eric Lander

Eric Lander — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:04:52 +0000

Hey Chris, thanks for the comment. Indeed, my Twitter account has been deleted.

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Chris

Chris — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:25:42 +0000

You seem to have been de-twitted (de-twittered? detweeted?). Can’t find you or (several of) your references on twitter

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Derrick

Derrick — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:20:21 +0000

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Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Niche Search, New Search Features and Who Out There Cares - SEM Synergy Extras | feed hat blog

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:43:10 +0000

[...] approach to being all things to all people which has led to Google conspiracy theories and mafia parallels. But no one can deny that the search leader continues to guide the pack in innovation. For example, [...]

Comment on Protect Digg, StumbleUpon & Propeller from uSocial.net’s Spammers by Dave Sumter

Dave Sumter — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:46:52 +0000

Well done man,

Although we ALL want to grow our followers and audience, not all of us want to do it through unethical means. I want a good honest audience growth that comes to me becuase I have something of value for them to read..

Although I’m in favour of advertising, I hate this blatent cheating that only serves to ruin the entire system…

Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by “Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family” | Noodleplay

“Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family” | Noodleplay — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:38:19 +0000

[...] Here’s a great post about Google’s breadth and dominance. [...]

Comment on An Introduction to Log File Analysis for SEOs & Webmasters by Chandra Shekar

Chandra Shekar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:19:24 +0000

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Comment on Google: The Internet’s Organized Crime Family by Steve khanelal

Steve khanelal — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:56:59 +0000

Title of post is a killer topic and I couldn’t stop myself to read the topic. One of link in your post “acquisitions of Google” is really. Stats there show that how big Google has grown up now and what is its capacity to purchase anything they need or want. In fact there are many trademark which still are awaiting to be purchased by Google(Take digg as an example). Like you said organized crime, I think we are partner in that with Google. Of course Google can\t record all the history unless we would be logged in. For analysis purposes, I think there is nothing wrong with it.