The more I read articles about the AP in regards to their content online, the more I believe they have no one working for them that has a clue about how the internet works.

The latest example comes from the NYTimes, in which we learn that the AP is going to beging cracking down on how their content is used on various websites. Sites that pay a royalty for the AP's content are fine. Those who don't could be looking at a future filled with court battles, or find themselves paying fees.

The AP cites news aggregators, and search engines as the prime targets of their new initiative. Yes, you read that correctly. The AP wants Google, and Yahoo to pay them for having links forwarded to their own content. Any search marketing experts feel free to pipe up at any time.

To play devils advocate, I can somewhat sympathize with the AP's plight. Print is dying, the economy has taken a hit. You have to find money where you can. Plus, there are forgeries floating around on numerous sites on the internet. I have no sympathy for the people using uncited/stolen content, that the AP has caught or will be catching.

However, if you know SEO then you'd know the AP is really hurting itself by trying to make search engines pay fees. Is there not one person working for the AP that realizes most of the people viewing their content come from search engines? Going after Google is like attacking free advertising. If there's a company that the AP should look to for examples of fighting the wrong battles it's the RIAA. It took the RIAA forever before they realized their lawsuits were geared towards the wrong people. The downloaders, instead of the uploaders.

Alright WebProWorld readers, should we send the AP letters stating our case? About how search engines and aggregators are their friends. Or do we let them learn the hard way; and maybe they'll understand that some parts of the internet are working for them, not against them?

| JohnnyV |