Leaked search focuments are real: Google
Tech giant Google has confirmed the authenticity of approximately 2,500 leaked internal documents related to its Search feature. These documents were initially reported by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King.
Google stated that it has provided extensive information on “how Search works and the types of factors our systems weigh, while also working to protect the integrity of our results from manipulation.”
The leaked documents allegedly indicate that Google “collects and potentially uses data” which company representatives have claimed do not influence the ranking of webpages in Google Search.
In a statement to The Verge, Google warned against drawing inaccurate conclusions from the leaked material, noting that it may be out-of-context, outdated, or incomplete. Despite this, the leak is expected to cause concern within the SEO industry.
Fishkin indicated that the documents detail Google’s search API and specify the information accessible to em ployees.
Google stated that it has shared extensive information about “how Search works and the types of factors that our systems weigh, while also working to protect the integrity of our results from manipulation.”
The leaked material allegedly suggests that Google “collects and potentially uses data” which company representatives have claimed does not influence the ranking of webpages in Google Search. However, the leaked information is likely to create some panic across the SEO industry.
According to Fishkin, the leaked documents outline Google’s search API and detail the information available to employees.
SEO expert Mike King stated in his overview of the documents that “Lied” is harsh but “it’s the only accurate word to use here.”
“While I don’t necessarily fault Google’s public representatives for protecting their proprietary information, I do take issue with their efforts to actively discredit people in the marketing, tech, and journalism worlds who have presented reproducible discoveries,” he wrote.
