Google Disciplines Itself in Chrome Browser PageRank Controversy

From PC World: Google is giving itself the digital equivalent of 100 lashes by downgrading the search result ranking of the company's own Web browser, Google Chrome, for 60 days. The decision came after recent reports that a marketing company working for Google encouraged bloggers to write about Google Chrome for compensation. The practice of creating sponsored posts with the primary intent of gaming search results runs afoul of Google's website quality guidelines.

So, just as Google would do with any other company that broke its rules, the search giant punished Chrome's site ranking in Google search results--known as a site's PageRank. Punishing its own Web browser may make up for Google's faux pas in the eyes of the media and may even make Google employees feel that their company is doing the right thing. But for the average user, Google's self-flagellation makes it harder to find and download Chrome, even if you're specifically searching for the popular Web browser.

Google reportedly bought online video ads from a digital media agency called Essence Digital. Essence then reportedly hired another company called Unruly to carry out Google's video ad campaign, according to Search Engine Land. The end result was that a number of blogs wrote positive posts (with the video embedded) about Google Chrome for compensation--the reward was apparently Amazon gift cards, SEL said in a separate report.

Google doesn't specifically state it will punish a site's PageRank for creating sponsored posts. The problems start when paid posts start linking back to the sponsored website--in this case www.google.com/chrome.

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