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For almost a year now, Google has been 'borrowing' content from publishers, like you and me, and showing them in long form on the search results page. Sometimes Google shows credit and sometimes not. But either way the swiss army knife analogy is not making publishers feel better. 55% fear these answers and it can be both scary and insulting for publishers.
I think everyone, including Google, knows there needs to be a compromise. I think I have the answer. :)
I was chatting with Google enemy number one on Google+ and it hit me.
Remember the Google Answers show me how links? Well, we saw them also on the roll a dice and some other answer format. Let these publishers have them and control them, like they would with sitelinks.
Here is a screen shot that only Google has right now:
Give publishers, within Webmaster Tools, a way to pick which link the action button goes to (maybe from a set of the top five relevant pages). Also allow the publisher to pick from a set of action buttons. Don't just give the enclosed circle arrow but give other options.
If publishers can pick the action buttons and links, I think that would solve some of the anger between publishers and Google around these long-formed answers in the search results.
What do you think? A good compromise?
Forum discussion at Google+.
