Government Content To Flood SERPS

[peter_d]

This sounds boring, but it's a heads-up for SEOs.

http://www.threadwatch.org/node/14170

Google plans to announce today that they are partnering with state governments to help make their public records more accessible. As more of this content comes online industries such as real estate and insurance will get uglier as commercial players are forced out of the SERP and into buying AdWords. But on the upside, if you gain editorial access to one of these trusted websites it should be quite easy to rank for virtually anything.

It is in Google's interest to favor that content, because it will drive commercial concerns towards PPC.

[factoring]

I saw this on CNN this morning and was thinking to myself
"who controls the privacy of these records now? Will my social security number pop up now in the serps if someone types in my name?"

I'm just kidding I know it won't be that drastic, but public records are usually very hard to gain access of. This is for good reason. Attached with insurance and real estate records is usually personal info.

How far does our privacy go now?

[mauiman]

My wife mentioned she heard my state, Virginia, had announced it was becoming a "google-state". I hadn't had much time to consider the implications so I appreciate you posting about it here.

I'm sure there will be some serious ripple effects disrupting some and opening doors for others. I look forward to hearing other people's thoughts on what the fallout will be. Of course if you have ideas on how to take advantage of this and lack the time, your thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks again

From Virginia. Formerly the "Virginia is for lovers" state and now the "Virginia is for googlers state"!