Is Google forcing us to advertise?

[ctabuk]

Without question on my chosen subject Google is starting to list Directories that carry Google Adverts as opposed to Natural SEO related and optimised sites. If Google continue down this route is it the begining of the end for SEO? Or will the general public wise up?

[bhartzer]

Google is starting to list Directories that carry Google Adverts as opposed to Natural SEO related and optimised sites

That's mainly because of their change in the algorithm. Google tends to favor sites that have on-topic links to their pages, and it just so happens that directories tend to be the ones that have more on-topic links.

It's really a result of the Google LocalRank Patent effect.

[ctabuk]

Bill under normal circumstances I would agree with you, except for one personal observation. Many of the sites listed within these Directories are carrying 'non functional websites'. They are also listing a fair number of 'newspaper' related searches, some of these are over 3 years old. David

[nerdbyte]

Is it the begining of the end for SEO

Nah. If Google does go down, there are plenty of other search engines waiting in line to take it's place. That's why I don't depend soley on search engine traffic.

[greeneagle]

Quote:

"Without question ..."

Examples of such "preferential" treatment should be cited along with such bold statements of admonition here.

Please post some URLs that substantiate this practice, and these claims!!!

In my opinion this practice would be completly uncharacteristic of GOOGLE. In fact I would think; diametrically opposed to their "Normal" Behavior.

Can anyone originating, agreeing with, responding to or reading this thread post any substantiation of these "jaded behavioral" claims?

David, Bill... Where are you guys going here? You just can't get away with presenting and reinforcing (plant and support) these kind of suppositions without being challenged for proof!

I'd be real surprised if anyone can show any substantiation of these claims here!

Ken

[incrediblehelp]

Why aren't we looking at this another way? I can just as easily assume that the spammers are winning and lower quality websites and ranking better and better on Google. Of course since most adept spammers use Google AdSense as a source of their income it could be assumed that Google is not actually forcing us to advertise, but actually losing the battle to the spammers.

Of course many great websites and/or directories also use AdSense and don't spam, but I don't follow the belief that you need Google AdSense to have rankings in Google.

[inet_ventures]

I took a look at the top 10 sites for the keyword phrase "picnic baskets" which is the phrase I am working toward. Three sites have g**gle adsense - seven do not.

One thing though,, the top site has had dead image links for more than 4 months, yet they remain #1. Clearly they are no longer in business but g**gle adsense is plastered right down the middle of the page.

...nothing good content & SEO can't overcome I hope!

[glinted]

ctabuk, I have to agree with you and I have noticed websites often as I search the web with no content but adsense ads are the main content. I think this is more like the spammers using tricks rather than google deliberately doing this though as someone else mentioned.

[timmathews.com]

Lets put it to a test.
I will create 2 identical sites, one with google ads, one without.
i'll bet a hundred bucks the site with g's ads on it is the one that does not get banned.

any takers?

[DrTandem1]

Why aren't we looking at this another way? I can just as easily assume that the spammers are winning and lower quality websites and ranking better and better on Google. Of course since most adept spammers use Google AdSense as a source of their income it could be assumed that Google is not actually forcing us to advertise, but actually losing the battle to the spammers.

Of course many great websites and/or directories also use AdSense and don't spam, but I don't follow the belief that you need Google AdSense to have rankings in Google.

I only have one site that uses Adsense. It is indexed by Google, but not to be found on Google using the obvious keywords that searchers use. However, it is #1 on both MSN and Yahoo for this generic two-word term. So, Google is not giving it a preferential treatment. Possibly it is even being sandbagged by Google.

The site is doing exceedingly well (knock on wood) without it being found on Google. It does not use any other form of ads or marketing. So, Google is supplying the means for the revenue, but the revenue is from sources other than Google. It is not a spam site, either.