Pierre Far, well known in the industry for working in Google's Webmaster Trends Analysts team, has announced he is leaving Google to start his own agency.
He said, "last Friday, the 9th, was my last day at Google." Explaining that his "next step is to found a digital strategy agency." This is not an uncommon move by Googlers, specifically those who work closely with webmasters and site owners. Many Googlers in Pierre's position have left to start up their own agencies and work on the SEO end of the space.
Pierre was hired by Google back in January 2011 to work with John Mueller. He was hired in the same round as Gary Illyes, who we quote here an awful lot now.
Pierre was involved in communicating some of the Penguin updates, was instrumental in communication around the mobile best practices and more.
On April 1st of this year, he announced on Google+ that he is leaving the Webmaster Team and moving to the ad side of the business. I guess that wasn't as exciting as he thought?
Pierre added to his Google+ post on this that he won't be giving out any secrets. He said:
Edit half an hour after posting: I've already had a few questions, some jokingly, asking me to disclose confidential Google details and plans. Not gonna happen. I would not share things I know about Google just like I won't share a client's confidential information. So please don't ask :)
Best of luck Pierre, not that you'll need it. Thanks for everything you've done to help the webmaster and Google relations over the past almost five years!
Forum discussion at Google+.
