Comments on: Google Rolls out Sidewiki, Wikipedia for Websites?

By: cs1380

cs1380 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:07:31 +0000

There is now a free script that blocks SideWiki comments without blocking or redirecting all GTB users. The site below is the only one I know of that currently has it available. There are others working on additional scripts that may be even more transparent to visitors.

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/128256-if-you-want-take-stand-against-google-encroaching-your-rights-sidewiki-now-time-5.html

By: Doc

Doc — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:57:24 +0000

I think there’s a potential for retaliation, against sites that disable entry by people using a Google tool, yes. I also think that the possibility exists that their algorithm could possibly give preference to those that allow it. The biggest potential I see, and one that I suspect you share my suspicion of, is that it has tremendous potential for abuse by competitors, disgruntled employees, bored ne’er do wells, etc. I just don’t like the idea at all. If they follow through with it, I will probably take my chances and disable it, but it really ticks me off to even have to do so.

By: cs1380

cs1380 — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:14:07 +0000

Doc,

Are you implying deliberate retaliation or that sites that allow SideWiki will rank higher by virtue of algorithmic Google voodoo?

SideWiki is useless.

As a consumer protection device it fails. Faced with unsubstantiated complaints and unsubstantiated praise for a site, which do you believe?

As a communication tool it fails. It isolates conversations. If you want to say something about a site then email or post on Facebook or Twitter.

It’s only function is as a means to spam or just talk trash.

By: Doc

Doc — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:45:45 +0000

Interesting idea, cs1380.

But what repercussions do you suppose that might have on your position in the SERPs?

I don’t think this should even be opt-out. It should be opt-IN!

By: John Stewart

John Stewart — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:42:31 +0000

You can already comment on websites, but the feature currently does not work well. Most users will ignore this feature, while others will spam the hell out of it.

By: cs1380

cs1380 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:32:42 +0000

Until Google dumps this or provides an opt out, web site owners who’d like to retain control of what appears on their own site can block all Google Toolbar users by adding the following to their htaccess file. The “notoolbar.php” points to a file explaining Google’s bad behavior and instructing the visitor to uninstall Google Toolbar in order to proceed. You can create your own file and name it whatever you like, just be sure to change the code below to make it match the file name you’ve chosen.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} GTB [NC]
RewriteRule .* notoolbar.php [L]

By: Paul Wehage

Paul Wehage — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:09:46 +0000

A disaster waiting to happen. I can think of so many ways that this could be used to for malicious purposes. The only thing that I want is an opt-out for all of my websites.

By: imguru

imguru — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:58:39 +0000

simply superb, this will really help us to increase our visibility while getting first hand information about any website…