Maybe you should apply to be a moderator then you can decide what is a good post or bad post and you can become a forum Nazi because that's pretty much what you are tying to do. everyone we can only discuss what his majesty "THE Peoples SEO" wants to talk about
Guys, lets not go there on personal level. You see what Google did to all of us (I'm joking, or at least trying). Anyway, lets try to respect each opinion. This is discussion forum and it is good that people bring different thoughts, otherwise if everybody in an agreement, it will be no point to discuss. Honestly, this thread is one of interesting ones here on DP. Most of threads on DP are about "when PR update will be" or "why my website not indexed" or "I need list of web directories". First time in several months we got good topic to discuss and we fighting each other. So, lets try to keep it professional.
I'm not aware of that. Wikipedia says there is such a thing owned by AOL but, when you speak of netscape, I don't know anyone who thinks of the SE. While people on DP complain, I've not heard any users complain about Google search at all. What do you want for free? Most of us just scan past the ads and go right to the results; however, I do find that the top paid ad is sometimes what I'm looking for.
I take that as nice joke. Open google topic and look how many people are dissatisfied with instant search, with local search and other new confusing "features". - all that is totally opposite to what google states about their search. Google states that they bring results based on content relevancy and quality of websites. It looks like the websites quality mostly based on how much they pay to google. Sooner or later, we will see more google alternatives which will benefit us as webmasters.
I think everyone is giving google too much credit. Yes they are number one now, but I remember a time when they were nothing and yahoo was the hot search engine. Just like how apple is hot now but back in the day it didn't have as much appeal. Things change and will continue to change. But one thing is that whatever search engine is more popular, SEO will still be quite similar.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Google is using its power to monopolise the classified listings for its benefits
I've noticed that apart from the money niches most of the GEO search results are dominated by directories which charge $25 or so a month. Google has decided to put that money in their pockets. They're a business and I can't blame them for monetizing their free search listings. Webmasters will always find a way to make money. It's a matter of identifying the low hanging fruit. The growing trend is for Google to increase the ads and resulting in less traffic on the money organic search terms. The basic fact of the matter is that people are lazy. They aren't going to remember niche directories or good sites. So, the issue here is that many niche sites are really providing secondary google organic search traffic. They key for the next few years is to increase referral traffic, build a supporting blog and network with other webmasters, market your site for type-in traffic.
I'll say it again. The only place I hear complaints about these things are on DP. You are mixing up the paid results at the top to the actual search results. I don't consider the paid results part of the actual search and to state such a thing is foolish. To claim paid results also affect the actual search results is pure guess work but that would also fly in the face of what everyone knows: Google results are always superior to every other search engine. Search engines work for users, not "webmasters" (people still use that term?). Site owners may be thrilled to death with results but, if the users don't get what they're looking for, the SE is dead. YOU don't matter! Yes, without your content, SEs have nothing to search for or supply but, then, the internet is dead.
Have a look at Google's latest money making technique! http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=2008541
Yeah, but there's a thin line between aggressive monetization and just plain putting a sticker on everything in sight.
It looks like the only place you are looking is DP. How about that forum: http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4223031-5-30.htm and that one: http://www.v7n.com/forums/google-forum/219899-google-launches-instant-previews.html and that one from google forum itself: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Web+Search/thread?tid=3714592e42708cd2&hl=en drhowarddrfine, I would ask you different question, show me forum (trusted known forum) without such complains.