On July 12, 2008 I submitted an article to EzineArticles.com. The article was, basically, a version of my post How Accurate Are Google Data. I gave a few examples to the discrepancies between the data supplied by the AdWords Keyword Tool regarding the volume of competition to a certain keyword and the actual number of ads returned by Google when the same keyword is searched.
My article concluded:
“It wouldn’t be so bad if Google were just a search engine, but Google charges millions of people billions of dollars for AdWords, and a smart advertiser has to rely on the data that Google gives them to make intelligent decisions regarding his/her advertising campaign. If these data are false/extremely inaccurate, there is a good chance that most advertisers who use AdWords are pouring a fortune into Google’s pockets to no avail.”
After a couple of days I received a message from EzineArticles support:
“I’m sorry, we do not accept any articles that advocate or use a
negative tone regarding any individual, group or business.”
I thought it was quite funny, as it was obvious to me that Ezine Articles are just protecting Google, so I changed the conclusion of my article and re-submitted it with the following ending:
“It is very difficult to publish an article that might suggest Google is not perfect , and EzineArticles apparently have strict rules against using a “negative tone” regarding any individual, group or business. So, let me make myself very clear: Google is perfect indeed, and I do not suggest otherwise. After all, with 70% of global searches, anybody who wants to accomplish anything online cannot do without them.
“But remember this: a smart AdWords advertiser has to rely on the data that Google gives them to make intelligent decisions regarding his/her advertising campaign. These are my findings. You can check them yourself and come to your own conclusions.”
Another few days pass and I get another message from Ezine Articles:
“The URL provided in your article leads to a website that advocates against and uses a negative tone towards an individual or group. This is in violation of our Editorial Guidelines.”
As you can see, now they can’t say anything about my article (since I stated Google was perfect…), so they go after the URL, which is this blog!!! Do you understand what they are saying? a “negative tone” against Google is not allowed, not only in an article published in Ezine Articles - but even on the site that a URL in the resource box leads to!
So, I write to them:
“Could you please quote and/or direct me to the article in you Editorial Guidelines which prohibits the alleged violation described in your response. I have searched for it - but to no avail.”
And this is what I get in response:
“I apologize for the confusion, and have pointed out the relevant sections of our Editorial Guidelines below.
Editorial Guideline Section 1.g does not allow content which “advocate(s) against any individual or group.”
Also Section 1.j does not allow any content which may “be considered defamatory.”"
“Defamatory” is a heavy word, isn’t it? Now you know that saying Google’s data is inaccurate is no less than defamatory.
I will not bother you with the long email I’ve sent them, totally rejecting their ridiculous accusations. Needless to say, Ezine Articles never responded.
This is section 1g. of Ezine Articles Guidelines:
“[article] MUST NOT contain: pornography/adult material, hate or violence-oriented, suggest racial intolerance, advocate against any individual or group, have insulting, obscene, degrading tone, or contain profanity.”
As any reader can see, “advocate against any individual or group” is mentioned in the context of “hate or violence-oriented… racial intolerance… insulting, obscene etc.” “Advocate against any individual or group” does not stand alone and is an inherent part of all the prohibitions which surround it. Yet, Ezine Articles pulled this anti-racism, anti-hate, anti-pornography, anti-obscene rule in order to block an anti-Google article.
The same is true of section 1j. Here it is:
“MUST NOT contain any content that is a violation of any law, be considered defamatory, libelous, or infringes on the legal rights of others.”
Again, this section is talking of BREAKING THE LAW. Defamation is a violation of the law and legal actions can be taken against the defamer. Apparently, saying Google’s data are both inaccurate and misleading is considered defamation in the eyes of Ezine Articles.
I, personally, think this whole story is very sad. When even a so-called respected and established site such as Ezine Articles is practicing censorship in order not to anger Google, then one cannot but think about what happened to the wonderful, borderless, democratic, egalitarian Internet when a powerful force like Google practically controls it.
