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It was a recent article published on Search Engine Land that caught my eye reaffirming something that we as a web site have been defending for years. Namely, maintaining a standard in our writers to refrain from using any profane or vulgar language in articles or reviews.
Such language used, even if pertinent to the “voice” of the article, has long been edited out in favor of more suitable pg-13 verbiage (or at least replaced with variations of the words (aka F**k, Sh*t…etc)
While we are well aware that there have been many sites, horror or non, that practice their free speech rights imploring harsh language, hate verbiage, and profanity, we took the high road and decided not to be one of them.
With that said, there was an underlying intuition additionally laying dormant in the recess of my mind that was telling me, someday this notion would manifest into something beyond just personal choice and writing preference. That perhaps censorship would bleed into web site standards and search results etiquette. It was the confirmation of recent articles that signaled that day has indeed arrived.
What does it all mean?
So what does this mean for horror sites and review sites in general that have 1000’s of reviews containing such voicings and unrestrained proclamations of personal review? For starters, this is a movement that will affect search results for sites that are not compliant. The indication starts with “snippets” which is most likely a precursor to full removal of reviews that do not meet their standards. Think I’m kidding? Read Googles recent guidelines.
Take that a step further and you can bet that this will trickle down into de-rankings and possible removals of reviews thus erasing much of these “sites” overall search presence.
Call it form of reverse-SEO elevating sites that adhere to standards.
While it’s still early, this is a wake up call that things are changing across the web. The first movement has been the deletion and blocking (and takedown in many cases) of torrent and pirate sites. You can reference the details.
As that takes form and continues in mass removals, we are approaching the next phase of web compliancy as detailed above.
In fact to site a recent example, a film has emerged as of late bearing the title “Don’t F**k in the Woods”
While we get the sarcasm intended, the film is ultimately doomed as long as it bears that title. Partially as a product that can’t be marketed and now a potential penalty against “sites” that posts reviews on it. The solution here is simple, but worth pointing out.
What to do? Is there hope?
All is not lost for those who are willing to do the work. Get down to editing and scrutinizing and you should be back on track. For those who stand their ground, be prepared for the backlash and search engine consequences that lie ahead.
Orwell was right. Everything except the year.
I love your answers to “what to do” and “is there hope”. Just do what they tell you to do and you’ll be fine. I wonder what will happen when they go after sites that have all those graphic depictions and descriptions of carnage and gore and I don’t know… let’s call it horror? If this article is any indication, you will just shut down and walk away without a fight. You sound like a “Participation Award” generation individual.
Yes, in a sense they have punished images in various forms by sending restriction notices for those using Adwords. Or in other words, violation of terms.
The “is there hope” was meant to be somewhat sarcastic, as if you read the previous paragraphs, we don’t approve of profanity used in reviews. As for a fight, we really aren’t suggesting that as a course of action. This is a heads up call to sites to get it together or face obscurity simply put.
Thx for your input
The person who wrote this “article” sounds like they’ve caught a bunch of sh*t for making a pretty bad decision… And they’ve now found some way to justify their hypocrisy. It reads like some ad executive forgot he’s working for a HORROR site and threw his business-culture hype-words together in some semblance of an article and called it content… For his HORROR website…
You do realize that the movies, books, art, and albums you’re reviewing are chock full of violence and naughty language, right? I don’t think you realize how you sound in this article. You’re a writer justifying censorship of naughty language? I guess you better stop showing red-band trailers and trailers not approved for all audiences on your HORROR site so your beloved adwords won’t shun you.
Not a good look on you, Horrornews… It’s f**king lame, actually.
Interesting how folks such as yourself read these articles and then twist it to mean something different than what is written.
so let’s clarify…
1- no bad decisions, here we actually made this decision back in 2010 for the voice of site we’d like to present. (and are happy that the internet is catching up with this) – so not a good argument on your part.
2- Business-type culture words? no sure your take on this? Yes, we are in business, live in the business culture and write about the business facts. If they don’t make sense to you then maybe it’s time to get educated on what they actually mean
(thus no point in commenting on your part to begin with)
3- Of course we know what horror films content contain. What’s your point? We are talking about the voice and style used is reviews and “our” preference. This has nothing to do with horror films themselves changing.
4- Adwords, don’t take our word for it, look up their terms or service. Yes advertisers have terms to use their service. A free site and and service such as ours still has to pay the bills to provide readers this service, so their is a loss of that needed revenue if we violate the terms. (in all do respect, don’t believe us, look at the direction Dreadcentral has had to take). I suppose the alternative here is to change our site and rely on “your” checks to pay internet costs……however not holding our breath
5- Red band trailers, don’t contain written text, so there is no violation there.
We appreciate opinions, though often we find that a commenter is too quick to “troll” without really reading all the points.
This just gives us more opportunities to clarify
I see you edited your profanity, so at least you paid attention on what’s required and paid attention to that point.
Final point:
We don’t run or control Google. (and yes the other search engines will follow soon….)
If you are a site and that feels the need to oppose this update, feel free…..keep at it,protest away…. start a petition ….see how far it goes but don’t think a multi billion corporation really has any concern over your review blog’s “stance”. Rather invest your energy into providing good solid content, read a few articles/tutorials on where the internet is headed and what will be important moving forward.
As an internet professional who knows the business, this is a news update that web owners need to really pay attention to “if” you desire a presence on the internet. If you are happy being obscure and underground, then nothing to worry bout, you’ll remain “unfindable”. That is not sarcasm, just reality.
enuff said