Ad Age reports that
media companies have asked Google to adjust their search algorithm to elevate professional content and distinguish between types of content. Google's Publishers Advisory Council made the request last November and plans to address it when they next meet privately with the search company on April 30.
Invitees include
BusinessWeek, ESPN, Hearst, Meredith,
The New York Times, Time Inc. and
The Wall Street Journal.
While some debate the wisdom in making this change, Google says it's trying. Ad Age quotes a spokesman who says, "There's absolutely value to original content. ...There's value to derivative content, too. We look at this in many ways from the point of view of the user. But the truth is there are so many shades of gray even within, quote, original content."
Publishers want Google to return higher results for original sources and "real access."
