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09/06/2001 Archived Entry: "6-September-2001 -- WebWord Comment"

WebWord Comment -- Cesar Martin started a spicy discussion on CHI-WEB a couple of days ago. Here is the scoop. In his most recent Alert Box article, Jakob Nielsen spent a lot of time talking about Google AdWords. I actually thought that it was a pretty good article. In any event, Jakob works on the Technical Advisory Council of Google. Unfortunately, Jakob did not disclose that he is involved with Google. As a result, there has been a series of postings regarding his journalistic integrity. Interesting stuff, if you ask me.

Replies: 7 comments

F.S. did you even read the Alertbox in question? Nielsen placed ads on a search for "requirements specification," not "usability."

Posted by Abe Crystal @ 09/08/2001 11:30 AM EST

Hey FS, google puts very little, if any, weight to meta tags when deciding ranking.

It's all about the links ba-bee!

Posted by Mick @ 09/07/2001 02:42 PM EST

The point is that Jakob is using his widely read newletter to market ad space for Google. The profits are all for Google and him (through his stock options)?
What gave it away for me is that if you search "usability" under google- NN Group is the top. (due to popularity no doubt) The second piece to the give-away is that NN Group site does not seem to use META tags that would place them at the top of a google search. I.E. Jakob doesn't need to use Ad space because he is so popular. So encouraging people to buy it is something Google has probably asked him to do.

Whether that's good or bad is a value judgement. Turns out google is great, but personally I feel that that is *sneaky* on Jakob's part. While I am pro-Jakob I am now more skeptical about his integrity.

Posted by F.S. @ 09/07/2001 12:48 PM EST

One of the marks of professional journalism is disclosure. Another mark is to correct an error in a timely and up-front manner. If Jakob is a stand-up guy, why hasn't he corrected his own article with a disclosure about his relationship with Google?

Posted by JS @ 09/07/2001 11:33 AM EST

I totally agree that Nielsen should have included a disclaimer of his involvement with Google. However, I think there is a possibility that it was a genuine mistake on his part...

In a previous Alertbox, when discussing Google, he did disclose his involvement. Perhaps this was just an honest mistake; perhaps not. I look forward to seeing Nielsen's response to this.

Posted by Jonathan Heron @ 09/07/2001 06:22 AM EST

I have been moderating chi-web this week, and I have to say I almost feel sorry for Jacob. (Although considering his fame & fortune I'll hold back the tears ;)

I think the last post of the subject pretty much summed it up; the man made a mistake. He's human, I doubt he'll do it again any time soon!

From Kerrie Green:

"I know if you happened across this one article (and weren't a faithful reader), you might be irked to find out he did advise Google, but really now....A couple of weeks ago in his email Alertbox notice he left out the link to the Alertbox--a very silly error,
yes, but we all make them....Even the self-pronounced gurus could use a trusty editor. So have we beaten the dead horse yet or what? And, Jakob, if
you need a good editor....=)

Kerrie Green

Posted by Alastair Campbell @ 09/07/2001 05:39 AM EST

FYI: recent article written by Charles Mauro: Is a high priced usability "Guru" a good investment?
http://www.taskz.com/ucd_high_priced_usability_guru_summary.htm

Comments welcome. Send to email of Charles Mauro

Posted by Charles Mauro @ 09/06/2001 10:47 PM EST

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