A directory of businesses that is free of gaming the system by paying to play was once the goal of google. If that if functional it is excellent and all it needs to be. It also prevents more established businesses from having even more of an unfair advantage. They already have word of mouth and reviews; why should they be able to simply buy a space that places them on top of popular queries and drown out anyone who enters the market?
Like back in 1999-2002 or so google was constantly adjusting their algorithm to stop people who gamed SEO. Their goal then was that when you searched “custom garfield cum blanket” you got stores that sold exactly that, and ideally the original one if there were knockoffs. That’s what made them a household name and the “king of search” and why you don’t hear about altavista or ask Jeeves anymore
Then they started to realize there was a market emerging for people that could master SEO and slowly but surely they just gave into the advertising side of things. It started with allowing SEO bullshit to go unchecked and eventually turned into now where you can literally buy the first 1 or 2 results of a search query, the first page is useless, and the second page is gone to direct you to a new search that can generate more ad revenue. They’ve utterly destroyed their product
No, it’s information compilation. Advertising is offensive because it is obtrusive and unwanted
Again, because apparently you can’t handle reading unless it’s really spelled out for you:
Information compiling is when I seek out a need and find the answer to said need, then compile a database of the various answers for reference. I look up the mechanics and get a list of them and can sort them by distance, review, alphabetically, etc. without having to wade through ones being placed in artificially because they spent money to up their rank regardless of sort
Advertising is when I search “mechanic” and the first page doesn’t necessarily show me the best reviewed (which is flawed because it can be gamed but that’s another issue) or nearest mechanic, but the one who simply gave google adsense the most money. Advertising is when I’m watching a really good show and it suddenly has to break to show 2.5 minutes of garbage, or has a character pick up an obviously branded product (logo facing camera!).
Advertising is when I get a flyer in my mailbox labeled “to occupant”.
Advertising is offensive and uninvited. Advertising constantly has people battling to banish it from the internet, streaming services, television, radio, mail, and society basically. The only people who don’t are those who are apathetic, shamelessly consumerist, and the ones who actively profit from the advertising machine
Thus, there is no extension to block the directory of businesses you get when you search for a query on google maps. People want that. There are plenty of extensions to block the sponsored bullshit they throw in those directories though
It’s a really accessible concept and one of the most common small business types in the country, plus most of my suggestions that apply to it are largely applicable to many other types of small businesses. Seemed a better argument than a lecture-length fully generalizable concept of “getting a new business going without paying assholes to shove it in my face”.
How do you expect people to find out about new businesses? Especially ones without a brick and mortar storefront.
A directory of businesses that is free of gaming the system by paying to play was once the goal of google. If that if functional it is excellent and all it needs to be. It also prevents more established businesses from having even more of an unfair advantage. They already have word of mouth and reviews; why should they be able to simply buy a space that places them on top of popular queries and drown out anyone who enters the market?
Like back in 1999-2002 or so google was constantly adjusting their algorithm to stop people who gamed SEO. Their goal then was that when you searched “custom garfield cum blanket” you got stores that sold exactly that, and ideally the original one if there were knockoffs. That’s what made them a household name and the “king of search” and why you don’t hear about altavista or ask Jeeves anymore
Then they started to realize there was a market emerging for people that could master SEO and slowly but surely they just gave into the advertising side of things. It started with allowing SEO bullshit to go unchecked and eventually turned into now where you can literally buy the first 1 or 2 results of a search query, the first page is useless, and the second page is gone to direct you to a new search that can generate more ad revenue. They’ve utterly destroyed their product
That’s literally still advertising lol
No, it’s information compilation. Advertising is offensive because it is obtrusive and unwanted
Again, because apparently you can’t handle reading unless it’s really spelled out for you:
Information compiling is when I seek out a need and find the answer to said need, then compile a database of the various answers for reference. I look up the mechanics and get a list of them and can sort them by distance, review, alphabetically, etc. without having to wade through ones being placed in artificially because they spent money to up their rank regardless of sort
Advertising is when I search “mechanic” and the first page doesn’t necessarily show me the best reviewed (which is flawed because it can be gamed but that’s another issue) or nearest mechanic, but the one who simply gave google adsense the most money. Advertising is when I’m watching a really good show and it suddenly has to break to show 2.5 minutes of garbage, or has a character pick up an obviously branded product (logo facing camera!). Advertising is when I get a flyer in my mailbox labeled “to occupant”.
Advertising is offensive and uninvited. Advertising constantly has people battling to banish it from the internet, streaming services, television, radio, mail, and society basically. The only people who don’t are those who are apathetic, shamelessly consumerist, and the ones who actively profit from the advertising machine
Thus, there is no extension to block the directory of businesses you get when you search for a query on google maps. People want that. There are plenty of extensions to block the sponsored bullshit they throw in those directories though
A directory is something you visit, Jackby.
An advertisement visits you.
Have you ever used a map?
God, the fucking contrarianism.
https://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/ to stop getting the not-ad ads mailed to you that you visit and supposedly aren’t thrust on you.
They put a sign on the building that says “Now Open”, put the building on the maps, and invite local food critics in for a review.
Read my second sentence
A restaurant without a storefront is just a ghost kitchen.
I’m not sure why you’re focusing on restaurants. I said businesses.
Are restaurants not a kind of business?
They’re not the only kind of business, which is why it’s weird that you’re so focused on them.
It’s a really accessible concept and one of the most common small business types in the country, plus most of my suggestions that apply to it are largely applicable to many other types of small businesses. Seemed a better argument than a lecture-length fully generalizable concept of “getting a new business going without paying assholes to shove it in my face”.
No, you chose it because it specifically can’t work with my second sentence because you’re not arguing in good faith.
There are many, many types of advertising, and you’re only focusing on the most egregious types.