One of the results of the Google-DoubleClick acquisition is Google buying Performics, one of the largest SEO companies in the US.

Talking about conflict of interests...

More: http://www.searchenginejournal.com/what-will-google-do-with-performics/4720/

Digg: http://www.digg.com/tech_news/Google_Acquires_SEO_Company_in_DoubleClick_Deal

yeah it will be interesting..what happens if the clients of performics suddenly get better ranks/ PR .that will certainly be a tough one to explain by goog's!!

> what happens if the clients of performics
> suddenly get better ranks/ PR

And of course this will happen, if only by accident. Google should just sell the company.

Yes, this cries out for a conflict of interests complaint.

But have you looked at it from the other side?
What Google will gain in knowledge?

They just acquired the knowledge of a whole company, which makes a living just trying to "beat" the algo.
This could or could not cause quiet some changes in the algo (or other Google behavior) – I don't think that the "denunciate paid links"-campaign is already caused by this, but stay on your toes for more things like that to happen...

Google isn't stupid, it already nows and monitors those methods.

And using inside knowledge to harm Performics' clients should be considered as equally unethical. There's now good solution for Google, other to sell the company.

i suppose it would make sense for google to keep some of the staff, for the knowledge they have. and sell the client base, the rest of the company, or let them do a management buyout.

On the flip side, Performics being part of Google will give large brands a great way to police their affiliate efforts. If Performics gets deep access to Google's AdWords campaigns it will be able to know which affiliates are trademark bidding and direct linking.

Where is the conflit of interests? Good SEO results in higher quality websites.