Black Hats Salivate as Google Prepares to Add SearchWiki to Algorithm

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Black Hats Salivate as Google Prepares to Add SearchWiki to Algorithm

Since the launch of Google’s SearchWiki there’s been much speculation about how this new feature would effect search engine optimization (SEO).

Well, the black hats are going to have a field day when they read what Marissa Mayer has in store for SearchWiki. From TechCrunch, with my emphasis added:

Mayer also talked about Google’s use of user data created by actions on Wiki search to improve search results on Google in general. For now that data is not being used to change overall search results, she said. But in the future it’s likely Google will use the data to at least make obvious changes. An example is if “thousands of people” were to knock a search result off a search page, they’d be likely to make a change.

Who here doesn’t think that would be exploited?

PS. Mayer also reveals that Google might introduce an "off" switch for SearchWiki–if, like me, you hate seeing the clutter in your search results.

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22 comments on “Black Hats Salivate as Google Prepares to Add SearchWiki to Algorithm”

Leila Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:17 am

Well…It’s only a matter of time. On both accounts. Why wouldn’t Google use it? Why wouldn’t blackhats scavenge off it?

Although the off switch is pretty neat…

Leila’s last blog post..SEO obsession number 1: rank checking
Leila Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am

But then again…I’m sure Google would be anticipating those “thousands of people” type scenarios and implementing some sort of defence against such things. I hope so at least…
Seo Service india Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am

But I am happy with it work. Google has done good job.
Kenney and Kim Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:34 am

What’s up with that. Interesting. I try to give Google the benefit of the doubt, but this doesn’t make sense. Anyway, I’ll keep an eye out to see how this plays out in the future.
Joe Hall Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:40 am

I haven’t put my black hat on in quite awhile, this might give me reason to go dig through the closet for it.

Joe Hall’s last blog post..Backlink Analysis Made Simple and Fun!
Kristine Wirth Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am

Back in November, I had written a very lengthy blog post about all of the different ways that this could potentially be exploited at http://boneheadseo.com/blog/googles-new-searchwiki

Funny enough, some of the responses I got, both personal and public told me that I was crazy that they wouldn’t use this for their own purposes. It was just a way to help us “organize” our own information.

Mark my words, this will be used (as Marissa stated above) – as a way to reorganize the SE rankings. We’ll just all have to see how this plays out and keep a close eye on what’s happening.

Kristine Wirth’s last blog post..By: taset
Google SearchWiki Coming to Google SERPs Near You Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am

[...] Opinions… Google Search Wiki To Soon Include An Off Button. Thank You, Marissa. Black Hats Salivate as Google Prepares to Add SearchWiki to Algorithm Google May Use SearchWiki For Ranking Purposes Share and [...]
Fred Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am

Kudos to Google for trying some bold and different with their SERPs, but for God’s sakes what a dumb idea. Maybe they’re trying to lure out all the spammers and defeat them once and for all? ha ha
It’s Official: Digg-Like Data to Affect Google SERPs Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am

[...] broke the news, and Andy Beal’s Marketing Pilgrim was quick to post the implications of this on the black hat [...]
David Kyle Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 11:51 am

I believe over time it will become an excellent signal for killing web spam. Sure it can be manipulated, but what can’t? I think the number of legitimate removals will far exceed the manipulative ones. As for promotions I don’t think it will be as effective. I think the average web surfer is much more likely to remove a site they don’t like versus promoting ones they do.

David Kyle’s last blog post..Foiled a Local Business Listing Spammer and Helped Marriott Hotels
HowToMakeMyBlog.com Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Looking forward to getting everybody to digg-up my sites all the way up to the top hehehe

HowToMakeMyBlog.com’s last blog post..Get your blog article on top of Google results today
Jaan Kanellis Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Spammers Delight. What a joke. Come on Google. Is your algo really that bad that you need us to tweak it for you?

Jaan Kanellis’s last blog post..Top Christmas Songs – Jaan Found Santa CD
Adi Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Must be time to dust down the bot-net. It’s certainly a brave move by Google but hopefully they’ll have measures in place to prevent fraud. I suppose if they’re going to be manually altering results it wouldn’t be difficult to spot the quality sites from the made for Adsense style garbage.

Adi’s last blog post..Are you Mahayana or Hinayana?
drivelocity Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Knowing Google, there will be a great deal of fraud protection, but it does seem like an easy feature to game the system…

drivelocity’s last blog post..Black and Decker Thermal Leak Detector
PS3 Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

That will be a time to truly test people’s ethical values. How many will fall to the “if you can’t beat them (the black hats) then join them” mentality?
Saad Kamal Says:

December 10th, 2008 at 10:52 pm

I just want that off switch! And then I’d turn it off for good…

Saad Kamal’s last blog post..Google Toolbar PageRank Update Coming Soon
Utah SEO Pro Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

SearchWiki, personalization, user behavior data….it’ll all be easy to game so yes, people will salivate over it all.

Utah SEO Pro’s last blog post..SEO and Usability – SES Chicago 2008 Presentation
Blown to Bits » Blog Archive » Will Google Regret Tweaking Its Algorithm? Says:

December 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

[...] that raises a couple of interesting possibilities, as reported by two industry critics. The first is that a new front will be opened in the cat-and-mouse game with the search engine optimization [...]
myrtle beach apartments Says:

December 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

how many people will know how to use the off switch? this seems like it will be a black hatters dream
» Google staff will select who’s on top in the near future? » Tom Doyle :: TALK Says:

December 16th, 2008 at 9:28 am

[...] Black Hats Salivate as Google Prepares to Add SearchWiki to Algorithm Share and Enjoy: [...]
AIDS Drugs Says:

December 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm

I think if this were implemented it would hurt legitimate SEO a lot more then it would help.
PS3 Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 10:02 am

Just got an e-mail notification of an update to this thread but didn’t expect to see someone’s credit card details.

Why post those?

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