Google Law

Google recently pulled down some ads of a Clickshift client. The reason: the client sells merchandise that Google doesn’t like. The merchandise is not illegal in any way, it’s not offensive to anyone, it’s not even low quality or overpriced, but Google pulled the ads. Apparently, the review inside Google is somewhat inconsistent because hundreds of other advertisers at Google offer identical products.

Unfortunately, there’s no appeals process for Google Law. Google is certainly free to turn down money – it feels a bit unfair since they leave identical ads up, but it’s probably well within their right. It sure is frustrating for our client, though.

I find it ironic that Google has a questionable read on copyright law, while making their own, more strict, law about what products should be allowed. They make antitrust noise at the DOJ about Microsoft, but then they use their dominance of search to get entrance into the payments market. (Sure does feel a lot like bundling the browser with the OS…) They support openness and APIs, but just not for AdWords. As DavidZHawk explains, Google is even having its cake and eating it too when it talks about click fraud and implements quality score.

Like the Motley Fool says, maybe being crazy is why they make so much money.

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