Sullivan’s take on Google’s link comandeering tactics: Danny Sullivan, search engine guru, explains everything you ever wanted to know
about “AutoLink” on Googe’s new version of its toolbar. Here are the topics he covers on his great overview:
The User Benefit
The Publisher Benefit & Fears
We’ve Been Here Before
Monopoly & Monetary Fears
Future Development
What’s Acceptable & What’s Not?
Drawing The Line At Links
Provide An Opt-Out!
They’re My Users Too
Turning The Tables
The Toolbar Area Itself Is Yours
Sullivan believes
Google should make it easy for publishers (including bloggers) to opt
out. It took about 24-hours for 3rd-parties to develop hacks to do
this. But Danny is correct, Google should
do the right thing and allow publishers to opt out. I won’t say anymore
because Danny is so much more eloquent and Google may actually listen
to him.
However, I would think AdSense competitors might try approaching
publishers with the promise, “We’ll never try to take over the links on
your
site.”
(via: Steve Rubel)
Update: Dan Gillmor met with some Google folks and is “not convinced, however, that Google will end up doing the right thing in the end.”