I don't think Google (like some others) accepts payment for search ranking. They do auction off ad positions, but these paid ads are clearly marked as "sponsored links." I think search position is largely based on the number of relevant links to a page (not from link farms). For example, my page on FCC rules comes in number 4 out of 1,810,000 (see http://www.google.com/search?q=fcc+rules ). Harold > I disagree with that, do a gurgle for > > Horsebox Conversion > > (on the .co.uk site at least - never checked the .com) > > and my site comes top, (Jim and Beth's horsebox conversion) and has done > so > for a couple of years. > I have never paid to list it, and never submitted it to any engines. > Simply > gets there by magic or whatever. (actually, i believe it is because the > site > links to a number of other places and gets spidered, but magic sounds > better). > > Jim > > > On Tue, 8 May 2007 05:58:40 +0000 (UTC), Peter P. wrote >> Forrest Christian imach.com> writes: >> >> > Although just for fun I just checked this search term, it doesn't >> seem >> > to be quite as raunchy as before.. and even has one relevant hit on >> the >> > first page. >> >> Ever since goopile charges money for ranking things have changed. >> Whoever is not ponying up enough funds does not show up in the >> cummershally useful first few pages of hits. So much for 'not doing >> evil' (but not much good either). Simple math shows that 100-150 >> paying punters will displace *everyone* from the first few pages of >> hits. And there are a lot more than 150 paying punters out there, no >> matter what the search terms, even with the new 'we advertise in >> regular hits but you don't know it' approach seen with ieee.org etc >> papers. Who knows how much else is going on that has not yet been >> understood. STILL goopile is not bad as a search engine, given the >> time and patience it requires nowadays. And it will likely get worse >> as the number of punters and 'optimizers' increases. >> >> Besides I have recently experienced having a simple site land in >> goopile hell. Yes, there is such a thing (look it up). I still don't >> know what my sin(s) were, but the exit was difficult and lengthy >> (hint: exorcism did not help ;-) >> >> P. >> >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > > > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available! -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist