Google - Don’t be Evil

Don’t be EVIL

It’s a pretty impressive mission statement from the Big G.

Recently, the internet marketing community has picked up on SERP adjustments on a couple of high profile sites.

A few weeks ago, TextLinkAds having dominated the SERPs for ‘Text Link Ads’ can now only be found on the first page because of their Adwords campaign.

John Chow who was recently hit by Google for the phrase ‘Making money online’ was slapped again and now cannot even be found for his own name.

Are these two sites considered EVIL by Google? Are they in violation of moral principles? Improper conduct?

If so then what do they have in common for these recent punishments from the Almighty? It seems that they both have committed the sin of PAID LINKS.

John Chow is infamous for his ‘sell a blog review campaign’ on his blog and TextLinkAds … well they are the leading buy and sell text links marketplace. So Google’s finally made their move on anti paid links crusade you ask?

Well, I don’t think so … I think they have just made a move on their ‘Don’t be Evil’ crusade. Both TextLinkAds and John aren’t actually famous for buying links to artificially affect their SERPs and the severity of the punishment indicates this isn’t an algorithm change.

These 2 have been picked out and punished as an example to us mortals. John for so publicly ignoring the Big G’s commandments on selling links and TLAs …

for taking 50% of their clients income

…. Err… I mean facilitating the sin of paid links.

It will be interesting if these guys get their rankings back especially if they change their business models. I think John will probably revise his blog review service … publicly. After all, God tells us to be forgiving right?