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I spotted a thread that is a common question in the Google Webmaster Help forums about removing content from showing up in Google. The response was even more interesting.
Google's Eric Kuan, from the search quality team said that Google does not control the content on the web.
He wrote:
Google doesn't control the contents of the web, so before you submit a URL removal request, the content on the page has to be removed. There are some exceptions that pertain to personal information that could cause harm. You can find more information about those exceptions here: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2744324.
True, Google cannot control what people publish on the internet but they are the gateway to that content.
I bet many SEOs and webmasters would argue with Google's definition of "control" here.
Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.
Image credit to BigStockPhoto for stringed man
Comments:
Nick Murden
12/18/2013 01:48 pm
I wonder if the Chinese deny controlling information.
Durant Imboden
12/18/2013 02:33 pm
"I bet many SEOs and webmasters would argue with Google's definition of "control" here." Many SEOs and Webmasters argue, out of habit, with anything that Google says. :-)
Tian_Mian
12/18/2013 02:55 pm
Good one.
Some Rabbit
12/18/2013 05:21 pm
Heh, just sign up for adsense and then try to post edgy, adult themed content. 3 day warning email in 3..2..1..
DaveKeys
12/18/2013 05:36 pm
This is the kind of language that you would expect from a White House Press Secretary, not from Google (of days gone by). Of course Google does not control content on the web because they are just a website, but they do control content on their own website anytime they want to. The argument is a misdirection.
xoxo
12/18/2013 10:53 pm
:-? dmca, url removal, LOT of penalties, etc. In current situation they must be FULLY responsible for content in their search engine. Otherwise they not have balls, and can fight only with defend-less small webmasters.
xoxo
12/18/2013 10:55 pm
because google is unnatural search engine, and MC is main leprechaun and evil troll of internet. Every day him wake up with new idea how to cheat webmasters and how to tank more nice sites.
Marco Angelucci
12/18/2013 11:10 pm
...Googlebots are loosing control?!? This a bad new for Boston Dynamics!
Durant Imboden
12/19/2013 01:41 am
From what I've seen over the years, I'd have to say that another "G" (greed) controls content on the Web.
xoxo
12/19/2013 02:36 am
at current time 1stG=2ndG
Gracious Store
12/21/2013 11:46 pm
Google may not "police" what is posted on the internet but it does control what shows up in Google search results
Spook SEO
03/23/2014 05:19 pm
Hi Barry! I also think that Google is controlling what we publish on the internet; but after reading this article of yours, I am now thinking the opposite. I think Google cannot control what we publish on the net but they are the gateway to our content.