January 22, 2004
I'd never heard this term before, but apparently it is the phenomenon of arranging lots of links bearing a certain phrase to point to a particular target, in order to have that target show up first in a search on the phrase. That description sounds confusing, so here's an article from the NY Times that covers the issue as it relates to some modern politics. Type "miserable failure" into Google, and look at the results. It's not a coincidence.
Posted by charr at 5:26 PM
Reader Comments
IMAO tried to do this to the Instapundit with the phrase "puppy blender." It worked for a while, but not so much now. The Instapundit is only #18 in the search. Used to be #1. Yeah, I was a part of it, too. And I kinda sorta did this to you with the phrase 'social moron.' It was completely an accident, I promise. Of course, for that same search now my old site is #2, Dan's site is #4, and my new site is #40, so I guess I shouldn't laugh too much at your current rank of #43.PS. When I first wrote this comment, I linked to Dan's site with the phrase 'social moron.' After realizing that would have been something of a Google bomb in earnest, I moved the linking phrase. Poor Dan is already #4 because of my comment.And, um, sorry about this comment, Cameron; It's not going to help lower your rank for that particular search.
Jan, I saw your new site (janlynn.us) as #8, not #40. You're moving up quickly.And yeah, I've known about this effect for a while, but I didn't know it was being actively exploited for political influence and gain.
If you search for social moron, I'm #8 and yours and Dan's isn't listed at all. If you search for "social moron" I'm #40, Dan's #4 and you're #43. (I linked to that search in my first comment.) Adding the quotes makes a big difference.
Jan, do you not list your website when commenting to decrease your ranking on "Jan" searches?I'm #2 on "Renee" searches because of comments with my name as the link.
Social moron social moron social moron.That ought to increase your ranking (and lower mine).
Hmm, would it be ethical to edit Dan's comments, linking them to his site?
Renee, I don't link because I forget. I should do it and occasionally I do remember, but mostly it slips my mind.Cameron, I think it would be ethical to do so as long as you add an [edited by site owner] to the end and state what you changed and why. For example:>
>Social moron social moron social moron.
>
>That ought to increase your ranking (and lower mine).
>
>[edited by site owner to link to commenter's site in order to increase his ranking on said Google search.]
>
>Posted by dan at January 23, 2004 11:57 AM
>See? Completely ethical.
Then this will be an even more ethical comment.Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Social moron
Wow, how cruel and vindictive! I'm glad Cameron is above such moronic behavior and I'm not a complete idiot either.:) Tongue firmly planted in cheek. :^P
This coming from such a Hillary Clinton fan?Vindictive? Maybe. Cruel? No. Fun? Absolutely.
That's enough out of you, Miss I love Hillary Clinton.
Ya know, we're gonna have such weird search engine queries for our web pages. Though I'm not sure if a couple of links are enough to do it or not. :POK. I'm done (unless somebody starts it up again). Renee, you're lucky I'm quitting now. I had planned something involving Bill Clinton and love bunnies for your site.
Hey. I didn't get to join in the latest banter of google bombing, and I'm still the highest for social moron. Drat.I agree to stop bombing if you two do.
What else am I supposed to do as I am confined due to the swirling blizzard outside?I suppose I can stop. But only becuase you asked so nice, Mr. Google Bombadier. What can I say? The forced confinement is making me ornery. :)
Dan, I agree to a cease fire. Talk to Renee, she's the trigger happy one around here.
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IMAO tried to do this to the Instapundit with the phrase "puppy blender." It worked for a while, but not so much now. The Instapundit is only #18 in the search. Used to be #1. Yeah, I was a part of it, too. And I kinda sorta did this to you with the phrase 'social moron.' It was completely an accident, I promise. Of course, for that same search now my old site is #2, Dan's site is #4, and my new site is #40, so I guess I shouldn't laugh too much at your current rank of #43.PS. When I first wrote this comment, I linked to Dan's site with the phrase 'social moron.' After realizing that would have been something of a Google bomb in earnest, I moved the linking phrase. Poor Dan is already #4 because of my comment.And, um, sorry about this comment, Cameron; It's not going to help lower your rank for that particular search.
Posted by Jan at January 23, 2004 5:49 AM