Danny Sullivan on Google and ‘Paid Inclusion’

Danny Sullivan:

Back when Google was an upstart search engine, one way it distinguished itself was to fight against a pay-to-play business model called “paid inclusion.” Indeed, paid inclusion was one of the original sins Google listed as part of its “Don’t Be Evil” creed. But these days, Google seems comfortable with paid inclusion, raising potential concerns for publishers and searchers alike.

Steve Jobs, purportedly, back in January 2010: “This ‘don’t be evil’ mantra, it’s bullshit.”

★ Monday, 4 June 2012