Google Bombs off the starboard bow!

[momebie]

Amazon Rank * Amazon Rank * Amazon Rank

Leaving this post open and searchable. Amazon is taking part in some seriously questionable business practices by taking the sales rankings away from not only erotica novels of all flavors, but also books with LGBT themes that are not offensive. We're talking YA novels, bigraphies, and non-fiction works. You can find info on the google bomb here at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. There is a post which has an ongoing list of things that have lost their rankings here, and more information here.

Comments

[allroads.livejournal.com]

After reading this post, signs seem to point to a targeted strike.

[momebie.livejournal.com]

I'd seen a comment to that effect somewhere last night. It's an interesting theory, and something I wouldn't put past people. I still feel there is a flaw in the Amazon flagging system if it lets something like that happen. If fifty people go to a public library and tell them that they don't like a book on their shelves, the library will then review and deem whether or not the book is offensive and if it has merit that could be appreciated by other people. This is kind of how I expect a flagging system to work. Yes, even if some idiots are going around being flag-happy.

That being said, I don't think anything should be de-ranked. Not dog fighting books, not Mein Kampf, not gay porn. Amazon is a business and they're out to make money. Just because I think something is distasteful doesn't mean there isn't someone somewhere with no taste who would want it for a variety of reasons.