Google to Sell Users' Personal Information to Websites?
Google, the world’s largest search engine is now implementing new policies which will create blocks that will stop websites from accessing user’s personal information based on their searches.
These blocks will remain in place unless digital marketers are willing to shell out some cash to gain access to the search-query data.
“As search becomes an increasingly customized experience, we recognize the growing importance of protecting the personalized search results we deliver,” wrote Google in its blog. “As a result we’re enhancing our default search experience for signed-in users.”
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The internet giant elaborated more on the situation via its blog.
“Over the next few weeks, many of you will find yourselves redirected to https://www.google.com (note the extra “s”) when you’re signed in to your Google Account. This change encrypts your search queries and Google’s results page.”
Despite the new blocks, Google Adwords advertisers will continue to have access to keyword information about users coming to their site.
Experts feel that Google is not really concerned with users’ privacy, but rather seeks to gain significant profits from this venture.
Google has been distancing itself from unencrypted web pages for quite some time now.
Some privacy advocates have been pleased with its strategy.
However, the SEO industry is not completely sold on Google’s efforts.
SEO specializes in making web pages more visible on Google search results pages.
Marketers in the field have lost a valuable piece of business intelligence with Google moving away from unencrypted pages.
Search terms entered in by users which lead them to sites will no longer be visible to marketers specializing in SEO.
This will stop them from having the ability to advise firms on the best ways to attract customers in the future.
Google’s new policies are expected to deal a major blow to SEO marketers, according to experts in the field.
