Google Secrecy Irks, Well, Everyone

An article published from the Los Angeles Times points to the gorilla's biggest fault and savior, its secrecy.

While Google has flourished over the past few years from an inkling start up to the biggest name in search it has maintained its formula for success. Jordan Rohan, a financial analyst at RBC Capital Markets, notes, "It's somewhat of a paradox, Google's whole purpose is to make information easier to access — unless, of course, you want to know information about Google."

While Google continues to hold a dominating presence its investors, competitors, and advertisers all scratch their heads in annoyance and dismay at the intricately laid, delicately guarded secrets held within the company. A more corporate mind could not comprise such top down, "need to know" information. Employees don't even understand the intricacies of the giant.

Revealing little more than legally necessary it's no wonder Google has captivated so many. Making billions with formulas devised in secret labs and secured better than our own country. Maybe the government could take note, it's not like
they tell us anything anyway. So what's the difference?

Right now the secrecy is still captivating and doesn't appear to have harmed investments or interest from revenue holders. But how long can that last? How long will investors "guess" their money is turing a profit? How much money will go into a company no one knows much about? Isn't that a bit of a gamble?

As Andy Beal, chief executive of Fortune Interactive, stated Googlw"is the big kind in the schoolyard." Used to making and modifying its rules to suit its needs Google's been lucky so far that competition, and investment, has followed. But how long before the "other kids" decide not to play Google's game as structured by Google?

The trouble comes in when considering just how much is enough and how much is too much information. Google has said it plans to work more "transparently" but must watch for competitors. Of course, the largest and most scrutinized company must maintain some secrecy. It didn't built itself on loose tongues and flapping jaws.

Another reason for the tight lips across the search engines concerning their algorithms is to protect search results from irrelevancy and SPAM. The type of power search engines hold, the value of top rank real estate, and the difficulty in deciphering an exact formula all cause frothing at the mouth to anyone involved who thinks he may get a slice of the secret. Think of what you could do with that knowledge! Certainly you'd shoot straight to the top, and stay there! Who could resist? And if you held that knowledge, of what search engines looked for and could replicate a "perfect" site you'd begin your own SEM business and boost clients from other markets to the top. You'd be a golden child.

Some secrets are too good.

Try this. Open Google. Type in "How Does Google Work?" in the query bar, if you haven't tried this method before. You'll get the answer. Try it.

For the full story by Chris Gather click here.

So, Google's secrecy, what do you think? Necessary evil for a company boasting "Do No Evil" or unneccesarily tight lipped?