"Google bombing" is a relatively new term, used to describe a technique bloggers use in order to get other bloggers like themselves to post links to specific web pages or articles that increase their page rank in the Google system. This is done so that when certain keywords are searched, the results will likely show up within the first 50 results. This strategy is used by bloggers when they have an opinion and they want it heard fast. The more links they can get people to post, the closer that article will be to the top of the search results.

With that being said, right before election season, bloggers are working hard to get information about candidates known to the public, whether this strategy is considered "fair" or not. Chris Bowers, the managing editor of political blog OpenLeft has been launching Google bombs with the help of his readers by encouraging bloggers to post links to nine news stories about John McCain that could possibly hurt his chances of becoming the next president.

The articles being linked refer to McCain "voting to filibuster a minimum wage hike" and "the Senate passing an expanded GI bill despite opposition from McCain." Within five days, the first story had risen eight slots, making it the 42nd result while the second story had risen 16 slots, making it the 35th result for search term "John McCain."

Bowers is not campaigning for Obama, however he is obviously campaigning against McCain. He plans to have at least three of the nine articles appear within the top 10 search results for "John McCain" by Labor Day.

Strategies such as this one have been used during campaigning in the past. Is this a fair and free way to advertise or should Google do something to keep this under control? After learning about this strategy to make ideas more known, do you trust your results as facts or opinions?

Contributed by cas 
 
   

 


Comment Page: 1 2   [Next]
 
swanginbajingo on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
I see some good use for this, so, no, it shouldn't be controlled.

But people need to stop failing at life.  If you want people to vote seriously, stop making it a "Pick the Lesser of Two Evils!" and start making it "Pick the Best Candidate!"  All everyone wants to do is post about how the other side is bad, which is what the other side is doing, so, yeah, it's just voting on the least villainous of the villains.

I think this tactic insults our nation more than any idiotic leaders could.
masivemaple on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"

If you want people to vote seriously, stop making it a "Pick the Lesser of Two Evils!" and start making it "Pick the Best Candidate!"

Precisely why I refuse to vote for either of the two evils.

cardigan on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
I totally agree with you... however... I'm also of the opinion that anyone who wants to be President shouldn't be allowed to be.  I've yet to see any candidate truly worth voting for.  Politics seems to be a field that attracts the type of people I don't want running this country.
swanginbajingo on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
It's not really the president whom one should worry about.  No president is capable of running every sector of a country, no matter who is elected.

What's important is the cabinet and all the other happy doodies he decides need to serve with him.  We can have a stupid president but an awesome cabinet and things should, in theory, get done the way they need to be.  This is also assuming the House and Senate give support, too.
cardigan on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
True enough...  I shouldn't have limited that to the Presidency.  It's pretty much every level of government.  Certainly, some of the most bone-headed things to come out of the political process have happened at much lower levels than the Oval Office.
masivemaple on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"

I'm also of the opinion that anyone who wants to be President shouldn't be allowed to be.

Probably not.

eyesthefuture on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
I don't like McCain but I hate any kind of dirty tricks and manipulation. That's one of the reasons that when I was born Again I hated Evangelism
masivemaple on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
I would say that people can decide whether what they come across is fair, accurate, and/or relevant without Google purporting to rescue them.

Neptune on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
What would come up if we simply typed in "Voting record of Obama, or "Voting record of John Mc Cain? We used to call it: "Getting the facts!"  Smiley
weesaul on
Re: Dropping the "Google Bomb"
That's exactly how I reached the top of all weesaul searches...

The truth is stranger than fiction...

Comment Page: 1 2   [Next]
Login to replyToggle picture size
 

Latest Comment
Re: Actually, a survey instead.: - Rockstar <3

Read...


 
© 2005-2007 MindSay Interactive LLC
| Terms of Service
| Privacy Policy
My Account
Inbox
Account Settings
Lost Password?
Logout
Blog
Update Blog
Edit Old Entries
Pick a Theme
Customize Design
Modify Plugins
Community
Your Profile
Wiki Pages
MindSay Tags
Video & Photos
Geographic Directory
Inside MindSay
About MindSay
MindSay and RSS
Report Spam
Contact Us
Help