Integrating with the Machine! [Resistance is Futile]

My site(s) have multiple instances of Google Integration, and I love each and every one of them. I use the Google Coop for my forum which includes several related (but non-competing) sites. I have Google Maps integrated into my Forum, and I use Gmail almost exclusively…to the point of forwarding all my other mails to there. I visit Google Analytics daily, and Webmaster Tools several times a week. I have AdSense running on several of my pages and have been considering AdWords for several others. I’m also contemplating other apps for integration, and generally refer friends, family, and customers to “google it”.

I sometimes feel that I am relying too much on 3rd party resources to get the webmastering things I do, done… When I get that feeling I sometimes ponder what would happen if Google were no-more, or worse, they started charging for such wonderful resources.

In the beginning I was positively convinced that Google could do no Wrong, but now I’m not so such. They are buying up competing sites, they are taking over popular networks, and they are now limiting how I can do business (which is actually their prerogative). How far can they go though… at what point will we start looking at the god-like boon to the internet like we look at Microsoft? At what point should we draw that line, and at what point should we say that line is crossed?

Should we as webmasters continue our integration with the Google Empire, or should we start looking for alternatives before it’s too late?

 

Don't like Google? Don't use it.

Problem solved.

 

There is a problem? And if there is, ignoring it won't make it go away...

I enjoy google actually, and will likely continue to use it for the time being, however I do sometimes wonder about the wisdom in giving them so much power over my internet presence.

 

Windows controls over 95% of computers. I don't like it, guess what, I bought a Mac last month.

Problem solved.

Goog only owns 70% of search. When they have 90%+ someone will step up. I'm actually a Google shareholder, so I could care less. The more money they make, I make. Either way is good for me.