Unexplained Phenomenon: A Mystery Created by Google?
Google has created a classic chicken or egg conundrum. Are "unexplained phenomenon" and "top 10 unexplained phenomena" top search terms because of the Google UFO doodle - which suggests that Google is purposely driving traffic to those topics - or did Google create the UFO logo in response to the popularity of the search terms "unexplained phenomenon" and "top 10 unexplained phenomena"?
The Google unexplained phenomenon incident raises an interesting question: How much influence does Google have in terms of driving the news? It seems as though if Google chooses to, it can create a tremendous amount of buzz on any topic by simply creating a Google doodle that is representative of that particular topic.
It never occurred to me before today that the Google doodle has the potential to be a potent form of advertising. For instance, some are speculating that the Google UFO doodle is connected to the release of the film "District 9." If this is the case, it is rather subtle form of promotion. But imagine the possibilities that a Google doodle could provide to a studio interested in a more direct form of promotion. I can envision a situation where a studio, say Disney, would pay Google big money to create a doodle that would drive traffic to the website of a new film.
But the Google doodle could also be used to advance a political causes as well. The possibilities are endless. As far as I know, the Google doodle thus far has primarily been used to bring attention to events such as holidays and the birthdays of famous people.
But what if the Google doodle were to be used for more commercial purposes? Would it be a source of controversy? Would it give an unfair advantage to those who could afford to pay for it? Could it create a situation where Google could be accused of advancing a personal agenda?
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Published by Hartley Engel
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada but raised in Los Angeles, California. I have a BA and MsEd degree from USC. View profile
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112 Comments
Post a CommentGood bunch of questions! I never knew the Google Doodles were connected to anything other than a bit of fun for a holiday. Didn't know you could click on them. Thanks for the info & the food for thought.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ufo groups dearly want to see a ufo and this is like the closest a ufo freek investigaytor will come to the real thing and filing a reort from the investigation get a life some of us have seen the real thing and the skeptic bovine dung expert holier than thou attitude of some the ufo groups it helps the real experiencer to form a real factual opinion that google pic is a piece of art only get a life
http://www.GoogleUnexplainedPhenomenon.com has some answers!
Quotes from and responses to the article:
"How much influence does Google have in terms of driving the news?"
Google is HUGE and therefore whatever it does IS news. Google is not supposed to be some non-biased journalist. And Google News isn't a reporting platform, just a culling of reports from other news organizations as a courtesy to its visitors. It is first and foremost a search engine and a software solutions provider. So to answer your question, Google should drive the news if only to inundate the internet with buzz about itself for profit's sake.
"[Google doodle as advertising]"
I say more power to them. I don't think it'll happen though. Google's been around long enough with their own ad agency and have yet to exploit their vanilla homepage as such. If they ever did, it just might be enough to make people switch search engines to Bing or at the very least stop clicking on the doodle.
"But the Google doodle could also be used to advance a political cause as well
If they want to make the news they shouldn't be reporting it. That's PR not news.
Do a google search of "Change The World. Should We Show Up?" and read it! it will blow your mind!! it is for real i think! even if you don't believe it it is still interesting!
I love the Google doodles, not just because they are pretty, but they also pay respect to some great men and remind the rest of us about the existence and greatness and about holidays and their history. So its a fun way of gaining knowledge. But if it will be used for advertising then I guess it wont be so special any more. why would i want to click on it when i know it will direct me to a movie website or something else i am not interested in?
MUST READ%21%21 SHOULD THE ALIENS SHOW UP%3F THIS IS FOR REAL%21%21%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2Fchangetheworld_now%2FChangetheworld1.htm
wow.impressive.