A week or so ago I found out about Google’s +1 program, which allows anybody to uprate websites that participate, so that users can boost that site’s search rankings.
As has been found recently, Google has staff of people who actively downrate websites based on a number of factors, one of which is according to reports, to downgrade sites that don’t agree with the “consensus” about AGW, or which allow for a diversity of views on the topic.
Because of this, WUWT’s google search rankings have become so repressed that you simply can’t find us when searching on terms like “global warming” or “climate change”. See below how search traffic has dropped as Google made changes:
I am hoping that with active reader involvement in the +1 program, we can reverse this trend.
All you have to do is press the “+1” button at the bottom of any article you like (its down there with all the other ‘share’ buttons like twitter and facebook, etc.). Thanks for helping!
UDAPTE: 11/07/2011 345PM PST Some commenters suggest we aren’t being properly skeptical and have no basis for our concern. We do have a reference, this internal Google document:
http://www.chaddo.com/GoogleRatingGuidelines.pdf
and this analysis:
-Anthony
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Ohhhh, and it said “you publicly +ed this as Jenn Oates. Will I be named and shamed by someone?!
I’ll pass thanks. Google already had me ID’d the second I clicked it. I don’t trust them an inch!
You might want to delete your Tag Cloud. It is a transparent attempt to trick the ranking algorithm, and therefore Google may blackball you for it.
“Global Warming”, first WUWT entry found on page 36 in my Google search results.
“Climate Change”, first WUWT entry found on page 9 in my Google search results.
that should be illegal
Um, it asks me to join Google+ when I click. Doesn’t seem to register a vote without joining.
You did know that Google is so far left, they make Mao look like a right winger?
I would recommend everyone dig up your favorite WUWT articles and +1 them. Then send a polite but firm email to google asking why they downrate sites that insist on the scientific method being followed.
Hmmm, seems like you have to upgrade to Google Plus to click on it.
“do no evil”
But we will hide inconvenient information members of our board of directors don’t want you to see.
I clicked the +1 button on a different post and was redirected to a google page requiring me to join. Took a long while for the page to load. What’s up with that?
Any recommendations as to another search engine for my normal searching?
http://www.scroogle.org/
I will stop using Google as I can no longer trust them!
Cuenta conmigo, I will try to remember
Sorry don’t have a google account – don’t trust tem 1 little bit.
Isn’t this like peeing in the ocean? No matter how many +1’s you get, it’s nothing for them to just down rate you. This is why I avoid using Google to the extent it is possible.
Screen shots of my search results: http://imgur.com/a/5obOo
Sorry, Google+ has a bad bug.
I created a USA account from a hotel in Mexico. Account Created and verified.
But when I try the +1 button, it want to verify my account by calling a mobile phone!
I did not give them a mobile phone number and you betcha sweet-patooti I’m not going to!
“Screen shot” http://tinypic.com/r/10ckns0/5 of
Verify your account
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Google will make an automated voice call to your phone with a verification code.
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Use Yahoo search instead
Don’t let Google insinuate itself as the default search engine on your browser !
“It’s worse that we thought!” Google “Global Warming Skeptics”
and WUWT was at 47.
skeptical science was at 1 and 2.
I complained and received the notice:
Thank you for the feedback.
We will use your responses to help us in our never-ending quest to improve the quality of Google Web Search.
‘Improve the performance’ is subjective, of course, depending on the reults you are aiming to achieve.
I knew that Wiki censors input that does not conform to Warmunist ideology, but I wasn’t aware that Google was also involved in restriction of free speech.
I committed the thoughtcrime of +1ing this article.
Down with Googalitarianism!
Okay I joined even though I really do dislike Google and avoid them for a number of reasons! I voted once but double clicked it by accident. Don’t make that mistake or it takes your vote away.
Anthony, please watch the results very closely and let us know what happens. Also unless Google has changed there algorithm to some ridiculous extreme, we can all get you back up quite a bit by Googling “climate change”, finding you on the list and then selecting you on google directly! This used to have a fairly dramatic effect on rankings but who knows nowadays?
I just googled ‘global warming’ and the first couple of pages showed many results dated 2 – 3 years old. I need a new search engine! Recommendations?
Sorry P.S.
Pleas use multiple different computers and smart phones too!