Google confirmed the authenticity of leaked internal documents outlining how they gather user data to determine webpage rankings, following earlier silence on the matter. The documents, reportedly comprising thousands of pages, detail Google’s practices under Sundar Pichai’s leadership. SEO expert Rand Fishkin disclosed that a source provided him with 2,500 pages of documents to counter alleged misinformation propagated by Google employees about the search algorithm. According to Fishkin, these documents contain information on Google’s search API accessible to its staff. Another SEO expert, Mike King, expressed concern in a blog post, criticizing Google’s attempts to discredit individuals in marketing, tech, and journalism spheres who have presented verifiable findings.
Regarding the leak, Google spokesperson Davis Thompson advised against drawing inaccurate conclusions about Search based on isolated, outdated, or incomplete data. Thompson highlighted Google’s efforts to provide comprehensive information on Search operations and the factors influencing results while safeguarding against manipulation.
In contrast to earlier claims by Google that user data isn’t extensively utilized to rank webpages, the leaked documents suggest otherwise. Despite Google’s assurance that it doesn’t rely on Chrome user data and clicks to rank webpages, the documents reveal the collection of data potentially affecting SEO, marketing, and publishing industries. The documents shed light on Google’s approach to sensitive topics like elections and its treatment of smaller websites in search rankings.
