They do a lot of good, but then they also use their money do support things, not so good and they cave in when it is convenient to their profit making (China).

Yes, I use a few of their services, but keeping a watchful eye is good. Although, I don’t think it would be possible to stop the Googlenaut at this point.
.-= ChrisCD´s last blog ..Best IRA Certificate of Deposit Rates – October 2009 =-.

It’s partly true …. And of Google’s “Don’t be evil” ….HMMmm?

Two short stories here, one a little oldish but both are very ‘relevant’, I’m sure that your many readers would agree, Frank.

From The Sydney Morning Herald – JULIAN LEE – May 28, 2009

“……….Anyone who buys keywords to appear next to queries entered into Google’s search engine will receive a bill from Google Ireland. After you have paid it, Google Ireland pays a fee back to Google Australia for services rendered.

The tax goes to Ireland, where the corporation tax rate of 12.5 per cent is considerably lower than the US threshold of 35 per cent and Australia’s 30 per cent. That explains why Google Ireland reported a whopping €5.2 billion ($9.2 billion) turnover for the year ending December 31, 2007″.

“Google Ireland is owned by entities based in the tax haven of Bermuda”.

“Depending on who you talk to, estimates of the size of Google’s business in Australia vary from $600 million to $800 million”.

“Google’s profit margins in Australia are among the highest in the world at 70 per cent, so the company is avoiding a possible tax bill in Australia of up to $160 million. Last year it paid just $3.9 million”.

“The irony is that the very people Google sees as its future customer base – small businesses – are taxpayers”.

See full story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/net-profits-the-tax-move-that-makes-goo gle-rich-20090527-bnqk.html

And ..”Google Cries Poor, Loses Money in Oz!” (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)

“GOOGLE claims to be operating at a loss in Australia despite having 90% market share”.

http://www.searchengineroom.com.au/search-222-google-cries-poor-in-aus tralia

RB

As with all marketing it is important for those of us being marketed to to see through the rosy picture painted (i.e. Google is perfect and makes the world a better place without any issues). I’m just reminding folks of this.

As for my grandmas both died many years ago and your concern is touching.
.-= Frank Reed´s last blog ..Social Media Good Guys =-.

You start by talking about Google being like Big Brother, then you take them to task for, apparently, promoting the things their marketing department should be promoting. AS IF they are going to promote what you call their “soft spots”. AS IF not a single other company in the world has such soft spots. Can you imagine CocaCola promoting the fact that it could rot your teeth and cause obesity?

There are worse things in the world. You probably hate Apple as well. Marketers doing their job. The NERVE!