-----Original Message----- From: Durova nadezhda.durova@gmail.com To: English Wikipedia wikien-l@lists.wikimedia.org Sent: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 4:33 pm Subject: Re: [WikiEN-l] A new solution for the BLP dilemma
Mirrors don't get such high search rank as Wikipedia. Most people who search Google never look past the first 10 entries (if they even scroll down to number 10, which many don't).
Noindexing is a distinct advantage in situations such as job searches or business contract bids where one competitor might stoop to tactically damaging another candidate's biography. Yes, the information remains available, but deliberate misinformation doesn't shoot to the top position instantly.>> ---------------------------------------------
If you noindex, then Wikipedia's entry doesn't appear at all. Some of our mirrors do have relatively high rankings, appearing on the first page. This is especially true of the more comprehensive, but obscure entries. Such as you might find say, with a University professor or second-tier author. We write up a full biography, noindex it, and our mirrors end up on the first page of Google hits.
I fail to see the actual damage caused. Competitors already try to damage each other, if bids are based on Wikipedia entries, then it's doubtful that the businesses are really doing any sort of due diligence in the first place. All businesses have complaints lodged against them. If you don't have at least a few detractors, then you must have just started.
I'd like to see some concrete examples of real damage, before such a sweeping modification is instituted.
Will Johnson