Google Is Judging Your Brand (Maybe)

Does your brand rely on Google? Does your brand utilize Google at all in its overall strategy? We thought so.

Then this latest development will be of interest. We'll let Search Engine Land lay it out:

"First, Google rolled out recommendations for 'pages similar to' earlier this week, now they also appear to be testing brand recommendations in response to certain queries... some users are seeing 'brands for' recommendations for searches such as ''digital cameras.' 'cheap laptops].' 'label printers,' 'fishing rod' and others."

Oh yes, they have screenshots (like ours above).

Search Engine Land notes the obvious important question for brands:

"The big brands are getting more exposure in the Google search results than possibly ever before... how do brands get the ability to show up in these brand boxes? Are they reserved for only large brands?"

It's a potential shocking view of the future and one that search engine paranoids have suspected for years. Keep in mind, it's not confirmed (but again, screen shots). Maybe it's more than just paranoids. Google has recognized the "sewer" that is the Internet and endorsed a "flight to quality."

The question, of course: What, or who, is "quality?" Is your brand "quality" by Google's standards? You may think so, but does Google?

It's also interesting given the tough time that some brands are having with Google search. Thoughts? Post a comment below.