Recently I have been researching what Matt Cutts has had to say over the last couple of years. What interests me the most is what other SEOs and internet communities have to say about him. Interestingly enough, there just isn’t a whole lot of discussion on this internet guru himself. Sure, you can Google away to dig deeper into what Mr. Cutts has said regarding Google algorithm changes, displeasing link buying methods, or even some crap about Nancy Grace. Truth be told, you can’t find a single negative comment on the whole web about this false idol.
First of all, I want to look at Google’s policy on removing websites or articles. Recently, Cutts wrote a blog article entitled, “Why Google won’t remove that page you don’t like.” In this article he states that in the United States the only reason Google would remove a page is if they were ordered by the court or other legal reasons. He also goes on to suggest if there is a web page up that is disheartening, malicious, or just plain mean to contact the owner directly and request it be removed.
My question is, why don’t we see a single negative comment, sentence, even word regarding Matt Cutts and his seemingly endless conquest to appear a God to the world’s SEO community? Is this possible? I doubt it. The only way this could be remotely possible is through Google’s influence – directly contradicting statements made about the removal of web pages.
Is it possible everyone in the world enjoys what this man, and Google have to say? No. For every positive there is a negative, and for every internet user who reads Cutts’ ravings on “Gadgets, Google, and SEO” there is ONE who has negative feedback. I have found one blogger who specifically claims his cartoon was removed because it was distasteful. You can read about it here. It was a cartoon posted on SEOIdiot that at least kicked up a little bit of fuss. Why, as one of the largest communities in the world, are we allowing this manipulation?
Looking at this specific instance, it was a cartoon! This was in no way defacing the image of Google. Im sure everyone out there who enjoys a little humor might find this type of humor slightly distasteful, but humor none the less. It’s not a serious, harmful accusation! Why then, is it ok to have content with humorous slander towards Mr. Cutts OK to be removed – but not a website that is aimed at making fun of a regular internet user? It’s not, and I hope the community of users who across this feel the same way. I wish people would stop sticking up for this up-and-coming dominating power before it’s too late.
I believe Google is great, they offer real potential as to the future of internet use and capabilities. However, lines need to be drawn and regulated as its little instances like these that provide the “slip” in “slippery slope.” We should realize that people, employees, and ‘voices’ such as Matt Cutts should not be taken as the hands down, final say in search and SEO. If this search giant wants to be a global leader, it should act like one in providing fair, accurate, and unbiased web content to its searchers.
I hope this article acts as I hope, and more discussion will be generated. Does anyone else care about this? I know there are more negative opinions of what Matt Cutts offers the world of SEO, and differing interpretations Google, just waiting to be heard – and we will see just how long this takes to disappear!
