Businessman blames Google for his shrinkage

TRANSPORT TYCOON, Brian Souter is complaining that changes to Google's searches has smashed his web site off the internet.

Souter said that his personal web site was blocked by the internet search giant and, presumably upset at finding himself in the shade, has launched a campaign to make Google stop changing its search algorithms.

The first part of this campaign will be a request that the UK Parliament Culture, Media and Sport Committee begins an investigation into how Google controls free speech in the UK.

Souter says that Googling his name used to bring up his personal web site as one of the top listings, but that this is no longer the case. We tried, and yes, he's right. Now such a search brings up the Wikipedia page about him as well as links to some of his businesses.

Perhaps this is not the worst possible result of a Google change, but it's enough to make people at Souter's headquarters angry.

"It's not Google's place to decide which sites we can see and those we can't" said Souter's PR and web media adviser Gordon Beattie.

"It amounts to search engine censorship and it does not afford what Google says it is striving to create - a good user experience."

Beattie added that Souter had written to Google to enquire about the changes but had been passed off with a response about algorithm changes, which we know as so-called 'Panda' updates.

"We wrote to Google on August 22 asking why Sir Brian's site was no longer listed on the search engine and the mumbled response was algorithm changes," added Beattie.

"We find it unacceptable that Google can simply remove an information site like Sir Brian's from its listings and give no helpful information as to why it has disappeared. We are now asking the question - is it time legislation was enacted to curb Google's power over free speech on the internet?"

Although the web pages that are not being returned here in Google's search results are a mix of Souter's life story, a few photos and news updates, the damage done to the visibility of the web site mirrors that seen by other organisations, showing just how powerful Google has become.

"We have seen a public outcry over the abuse of power at the News of the World," Beattie added.

"Let's hope Google sees the wisdom of maintaining its search neutrality and takes immediate steps to protect its editorial propriety." µ