Google Breaks Its Own Rules in Sponsored Post Campaign

Search Engine Land: Google appears to be running a sponsored post campaign for its Chrome browser that breaks its own rules about paying for links in order to boost search rankings. A Google search for “This post sponsored by Google” finds more than 400 blog posts that appear to have been written as part of a campaign marketing Chrome to small businesses. The posts link directly to the Google Chrome download page, in violation of Google’s policies about paid posts.

Last year, Google penalized JCPenney, Overstock and Forbes for similar campaigns. It has also penalized tow of its own companies — BeatTheQuote and Google Japan — in previous years. Will it also drop Chrome down in the search rankings?