Google detects image ads and “nofollow’s” it by itself
If you are offering advertisement opportunities that pass PageRank to other sites, in other words SEO friendly ads. And if you are doing this through traditional banners (e.g 468×60, 790×80, 300×250, and now 125×125), then you can be sure that they are not SEO friendly after all.
Even if those banners do not have “nofollow” tag on them, they can only bring pure traffic and not PageRank to the advertisers. Because, Google now can detect standard banner sizes on websites/blogs and mark them as an advertisement. So those banners are as good as the ones that have “nofollow” tags.
Google’s head of webspam Matt Cutts says on his blog’s comments:
Matt Cutts said,
December 2, 2007 @ 9:42 pm… my comment on the group said that we were already pretty good at handling banner ads, whether of the 125×125 variety or the more traditional 468×80 variety.
He has also talked about this in detail at Google Groups’ Webmaster Help section.
In addition to that, Google can also detect affiliate links as well. So those links are also sterilized and don’t have any effects on search engine results.
I have read somewhere that Google was also not happy about free WP themes. Because these free themes usually have a link in the footer section that links back to the theme designer’s website. This of course, passes PageRank and Google hates when that happens.
Google’s 3B (big brother behavior - i just made that up ;)
It’s very unfortunate that Google is resorting to this kind of behavior. Instead of chasing every webmaster and checking whether they sell ads or not, they should concentrate more on improving their algorithm. Because its competitors (e.g Yahoo, Microsoft, and others) are continually working on their algorithm and improving their search engine.
If Google wastes too much time on policing people to comply to its rules and regulations, and ignores improving its algorithm. Then one day, it might simply become just another search engine that was killed by its own product - PageRank.
What’s your opinion on this?
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By Steve McGrath on Dec 7, 2007
When Google see a decline in it’s market share in the search area, then they will work on that. They have a too good lead for now.
The template issue can still be use to bring traffic to the site. When they start penalizing theme author sites, authors won’t have a choice to add nofollow. But people will still need to change the template to take effect.
I’m glad that they do that for 125×125 and such. At least, text link and banners are on the same boat now.
By Robert on Dec 7, 2007
They should abolish PageRank altogether, or at least not make it public. People chase it because Google makes it available.
Seriously, what did they think would happen when they publish a means of someone saying “hey look, Google says my sight rocks!”?
By James @ Total Web Review on Dec 7, 2007
Page rank is useless, it’s just a status symbol for blogs. Some other types of websites aren’t even concerned with it. When putting their stats up for potential advertisers the only thing they talk about is page views and visitors. That is what matters.
By Steve McGrath on Dec 7, 2007
James: The trouble with page views and visitors is that they can also be manipulate like PageRank. Worst, it can be done faster unlike PR that is updated every 3 months on average.
By Wayne Liew on Dec 7, 2007
I love it when you say Google will be eventually killed by Page Rank. Page Rank and nofollow tags has been stirring up the blogosphere this few weeks and I wonder when will be the time to stop it all together.
Will users turn to other search engines for their searches? We shall wait and see. I am still using Google for my searches but an off-topic question, “Will webmasters turn to Yahoo for searches because of the Page Rank issue?”
By Michael Woo on Dec 7, 2007
I support your statement 100% that Google is wasting so MUCH TIME on their policy.. I suspect it’s part of their plan to manipulate the online advertising industry..
I even wrote an article regarding this controversial move..
By Ades on Dec 8, 2007
-Robert, I agree. It would be a different situation now if PageRank system was confidential. By making it public, Google creates lots of problems to itself.
-James, pagerank is actually quite useful, especially if you are selling something online. Because if your site has high pagerank, it will come up higher than your competitors in the search results. That means more sales for you. So it’s useful in that sense.
-Wayne, I think it depends on other search engines too. If they will seize this opportunity and improve their search results, then I am sure many users would shift from Google to… say Yahoo.
I don’t think webmasters will turn to Yahoo or any other search engines just because of pagerank issue. Rather, they might turn to them if Yahoo gives better search results. If yahoo gives better results without forcing webmasters to do anything (i.e comply to their rules) then I am sure Yahoo will have better chance to take over Google.
-Michael, I am sure Google’s stance on link sellers has some other interests too, besides the webspam and search result improvement. Adwords is after all a big money maker for Google, so any move by Google would of course consider its own products and services first.
By Pavi Agrawal on Dec 8, 2007
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By Ades on Dec 8, 2007
Thanks Pavi! I am glad that you liked my blog. Hope to see you here more often.
By Shawal on Dec 8, 2007
Google are expert in their field.. So i think its better to not challenge their expertise..
And 1 day if their do not concentrate on the algorithme things… Yeah.. i think others search engine going to cut google profit’s…
By Jim on Dec 27, 2007
You should really be careful with what you are doing. You are coming close to running afoul of the new FRAMII regulations!
By Issue Man on Feb 12, 2008
Thanks for the helpful article - I look forward to reading more of your stuff!
At first blush it seems a little heavy handed, but I do certainly respect their continual efforts to maintain the integrity of their results and PR.