The Stairwell

As the 2008 Presidential Election draws near, we at Billups Design think it imperative to do our part and help make this election an accurate reflection of the country's desires. We advocate that everyone who is eligible register to vote in their respective neighborhoods. We advocate listening to all the candidates' platforms and ideas and judge for yourselves which ones make the most sense for you. We advocate getting involved in the campaigns of your favorite candidate - call voters, raise money, volunteer for events, pontificate on your blog, anything. Without reasoned thinking and inspired participation, democracy quickly transforms into a mirage amidst a world of suffering. Good luck to John McCain and to Barack Obama - may the best candidate win.

First, Google was the savior of small business online. It made possible the flow of online users to sites in a convenient and, at the time, fairly democratic way. Now, however, online business owners are casting a wary gaze Google's way. Three weeks ago, Google introduced Knol, a new online content aggregator site that allows businesses to post content about their sites and other subjects in one collective. It's like Wikipedia, but perhaps more commercially driven. Then, Google often displays these Knol entries at the top of its search results when users type in particular key words in google.com, directing users away from independent sites and into the Google 'content universe'. And yes, word on the street is Google plans to run advertising on the site.

This has some Google advertising partners, and independent web sites, crying foul. Is there a conflict of interest here? How can Google sell advertising on Knol while resisting the temptation to boost its traffic numbers, increase participating sites' traffic, and ultimately increase Knol ad sales? And what about Google advertisers who are not participating in Knol? Are they being shortchanged?

Here's a good article exploring these questions. We thought our readers - especially our clients who invest heavily in SEO programs - would like to be the first to hear about Knol and read about the industry's reaction to it.

Google's foray into content raises some eyebrows
by Miguel Helft