(Message Deleted by Poster)

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

Jorge

Jim,

It has been like that forever, they used to label them "sponsored", usually the first 2 or 3 are.

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

Dave Paine

This is not new. Internet search companies show sponsors first, then others who have paid money to the search company to get their name higher in the search ratings.

If the company refuses to pay a fee, they may be x pages down in the search results.

We consumers need to look at more than the first page of search results.

Not that simple...

Steven Antonucci

Usually, if you look closely at a Google search, you'll see a line separating the paid ads from the natural search results. Companies buy "ad words" to get more impressions, and frankly, I am surprised that their competitors haven't hired tech folks to write scripts to consume their ad budgets to neutralize this tactic?

In the natural search area, SEO optimization is an art, as it takes into account about 20 metrics, including page speed, keywords, and security. So, if you run a slower mom and pop web presence, odds are you get buried on page 10.

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

ebd

Try using Give Me Back My Google http://gmbmg.com/ for your product buying searches.

With the argument "band saw blades" Lenox was still first. This is probably due to a smart webmaster setting up the tags to get greater attention.

The rest of the first page had Hastings, Highland, MetalMizer and more.

On the second page I find Timber-Wolf, Suffolk Machinery, Olson Saw, SuperCut, and more.

Note: the search "bandsaw blades" moved Suffolk to the first page. Again, it's the way the tags are set up. At least using GMBMG removes the pay to play aspect of Google.

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

walta

I do not see your problem.

This is my Google search for “Bandsaw The items in red are clearly paid ads.

Lenox comes up as #9 in the unpaid section.

If you feel Google is evil stop using it. In this case I do not see your point. I do think we should be concerned about how one company control what news most of us see and that can change public opinion.

The story in this link had a point Google clearly fixed the most blatant but one must wonder about the more subtle things they can do.

http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-google-search-viceo-2016-6

Walta

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

don stephan

Google/Alphabet is in business to make money, for better or worse. We love the features of their Internet search engine, but they have to make money to be able to spend it on product development. The companies who buy better placement, and buy ad words, are in business to make money as well and are spending part of their advertising budget for better placement.

The same is true for every for profit Internet search engine. They all can be used to our advantage if we understand how they work.

Personally, I won't click on a sponsored placement - if I want that company's home page I'll scroll down to the unpaid listings and click their link there - to discourage paid placement.

Re: Using Google to Buy Products

Jim Evans

Well, now that I have been properly chastised by so many folks for such a mild problem I won't be doing that anymore.

Sorry for getting everyone so upset.

Didn't see your earlier post

Ellis Walentine

... but chastizing isn't what we're about here. Please email me on the side and let me know if there's something I can do to help.

Best,

Ellis Walentine, Host