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At Matt Cutts' Blog, Comment is King
September 12, 2005
It's probably no surprise that I enjoy Matt Cutts' blog; I've referred to it in several posts already. He offers a view inside Google that is impossible to find elsewhere on the Web. Sadly, though (for SEOs, at least), one gets the feeling that for every cookie of knowledge he tosses out to the starving masses, he's holding back a hundred cakes.
As an armchair anthropologist (and a bit of an Op/Ed freak), I enjoy examining various bloggers based on the comments left by readers. The love/hate relationship so many webmasters have with Google exposes some pretty interesting societal archetypes. Following is a rough sketch of the personality types I've seen in the comments section of Matt's posts, along with a fictitious example of each.
1. I hate you; now kiss me! Exhibiting Google love/hate in its purest form, this poster is typically critical at first but by the end of the comment, realizes that some diplomacy is in order.
...Sure, I understand about potential problems with duplicated content, but pardon me if I get a bit upset when GOOGLE, the MOTHER OF ALL SCRAPER SITES, starts telling me about content I AM AND AM NOT ALLOWED TO SHOW ON MY OWN SITE.
BTW, thanks for making this blog - I love it! Keep it up!!
2. The Non-Sequitourist. Any foot in the door will do, if you're looking for Google algo data. Also known as the "(Out of) Left-Fielder."
...Hey Matt, great post about the best places to get sushi in Palo Alto. Why won't Google just publish the penalty threshold for rapid accumulation of non-thematic backlinks?
3. Jack (World Wide) Webb. The true gearheads prefer just the facts, ma'am. And keep 'em coming.
...Matt, thanks for the 1200-word post about linkage and authority sites. Hey, when you get a chance, could you give us similar info on non-.htaccess-based 301 solutions, a timeline and upate on the 302 pagejacking issue, and the likelihood of penalty based on puchase and repopulation of previously blacklisted, post-sandbox domains?
No hurry - later today is fine. Thanks man!
4. Sigmund Schadenfreude. Taking pleasure in the pain of others is a blogosphere staple. Matt's blog is no exception, especialy due to the pain (both real and imagined) that Google causes some webmasters.
...Wow, Matt, sorry that your little blog server was down for 3 hours and that you're being plagued with comment spam. Guess maybe you know how I'm feeling. Oh wait - no you don't, because your Adsense income didn't drop by 70% after the Bourbon update, forcing you to revamp your entire affiliate program and take a part-time job in a Chevron station. If that happens to you, THEN you'll know how I feel.
ps: love the blog! great work!
All posts by Erik Dafforn
posted by Erik Dafforn at September 12, 2005 06:44 AM
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Comments
Often times I read a great post, but have nothing to add. Maybe we need to add a button for “I read your post”.
Posted by: Odin at April 7, 2006 01:19 PM
There are actually a few different ones out there. I have been giving this software a go and see how it pans out.
You have a great site and i return to it ever now and then as i find the time.
Posted by: battery at June 1, 2008 08:52 PM