Ever hear that old cliche, the cream always rises to the top?
Well, it’s alive and well in the online marketing world, with a little extra help from Google.
The challenge is, many small online business owners are worried that if they do something wrong, Google will “slap” them and close out various accounts they have set up. Perhaps they have heard rumors of Google punishing individuals and businesses, which makes them fearful of doing something wrong and angering the mighty Google.
Fortunately, for the majority of people doing business online, this fear is unfounded.
In his recently released document called “The Perpetual Traffic Report,” Ryan Deiss shares a brief yet telling history about Google’s relationship with folks who are using its platform to build their businesses. (I recommend reading this document — it is very informative! There is a link at the end of this post to get access to it.)
This document was written in direct response to the latest algorithm changes Google made at the end of June which affect anyone who is working hard to get their sites ranked on Google’s front page. Change always causes worry and concern which then leads to rumors flying all over the Internet.
Before going too insanely mad about what seems to be the flavor-of-the-week approach Google takes when it comes to its inner algorithmic workings, Ryan offers this piece of solace: Google is simply making the playing field as fair as possible and working hard to keep spammers from taking away valuable real estate space from legitimate businesses.
Now I know there are people in the Internet Marketing circle who are very angry at Google right now, who believe Google is putting the hard squeeze on small businesses and network marketers, instead favoring only big companies with deep pockets who can keep Google fat and happy long-term. I understand why. When someone changes the rules on you half way through a game at which you were winning, it is bound to piss you off.
But — and there is always a but — at the end of the day, Google cannot survive solely on big businesses because big businesses do not have all the answers people who turn to Google looking for information want. Google NEEDS smaller, legitimate online businesses to keep its engines humming.
This is good news for small businesses looking to make a mark online with their legitimate offerings. And that is the key right there. If what you have to offer the marketplace is indeed the “cream,” and through your online activities you demonstrate that you are indeed offering value to your customers, then you have no reason to be afraid of Google.
What are your thoughts on Google? Is it too big for its own good and out to squeeze the little guy? Or is Ryan Deiss on to something? Share your comments and pass along to your friends!
Get your copy of “The Perpetual Traffic Report” by clicking here…
(I am not an affiliate nor am I compensated for anything related to this report.)
To Massive Traffic!
Hey Mary Lou
I enjoyed reading this post. As I am new to the internet marketing world I have been wary to try goggle and I would say I thought you had to have a big budget go there. I recently came across Ryan Deiss and like what he has to say. I hare just finished his course on Facebook ads.
I notice when I started to type in the comment box ComLuv picked up this post of your and not mine.
I love the whole look of your blog.
Sue
Hi Sue, Glad to know this post helped you have more confidence with using Google. While they are Big, they also know they have to cater to as wide a field as possible or risk losing users. Sorry about the ComLuv issue. That happens from time to time and I am at a loss as to why? Best to you as you continue your internet journey! 🙂
Great post! Thanks Mary Lou 🙂 looking forward for more Internet marketing tips!
Hi Mary Lou,
Great topic and a controversial one at that!
By coincidence, I’ve spent quite a few hours over the last week hanging out on the Google webmasters Youtube channel. Listening to Matt Cutts and a few of the engineers from Google answer questions, I don’t believe they are trying to squeeze out the little guy. Quite the contrary. One of the hour long Q and A’s I watched was with the guys from Google reviewing small business websites and offering SEO tips. Although they will never reveal the 200 factors that contribute to their ranking algorithm, they are very open and transparent about the main ones. They also make it pretty clear that they are always evolving their algorithm to weed out those trying to ‘game’ the system.
I think words like the ‘Google slap’ have become trendy amongst marketing gurus because it creates an element of fear. I’ve noticed these words are bandied around a lot during a pre launch to an upcoming course. For someone new, avoiding the Google slap can sound like a great reason you need to buy a course that gives you an alternate strategy. Brilliant marketing!
Even after a so called Google slap, my understanding is that Google doesn’t ban you, they just keep you from being indexed until you fix what ever it is they slapped you for.
My advice for any small business coming online would be to hang out on Googles own Youtube channels. They provide a wealth of information and it’s free 🙂
Michaelé
Michaele, I see this topic being one that we can discuss for years. With all the changes that happen online, and how quickly things change, we online entrepreneurs have to keep on our toes about what is working and what is not. Fear is bred from not understanding something, and because Google seems so monstrous and powerful, most people are afraid of doing something wrong that will anger the Goolgle gods and get them in trouble. As you point out, though, the Google slap — while a reality for some — is mostly a tactic used to sell products to people who are petrified of something bad happening to them by big bad Google. Thanks for the tips about seeing what’s up with Google on their YouTube channels as a means of alleviating ungrounded fears. This is not something most people would know about, and it is a good resource.