Several days ago, rumors started surfacing on Twitter that a former Google representation, a senior one, is now playing for the other team - spamming the search engine. Of course, no names were released but supposedly, this ex-Googler is based in Germany.
The spam techniques are "paid link building" according to the rumors. Here are the two tweets about this:
Hey @JohnMu I just spoke to a German business owner who said they employ a "senior ex-Googler" to do paid link building for them
— AccuraCast (@AccuraCast) March 15, 2017
So @JohnMu now on top of all black-hats we have to even work against ex-Googlers who've figured out a way to link spam?? #SEO #corruption
— AccuraCast (@AccuraCast) March 15, 2017
John Mueller from Google responded on Twitter yesterday saying "the webspam team doesn't care who's involved." "They take action where it's warranted regardless," he added.
@AccuraCast @radianceconseil @cache_flo The webspam team doesn't care who's involved - they take action where it's warranted regardless.
— John ☆.o(≧▽≦)o.☆ (@JohnMu) March 22, 2017
It is rare for a former Googlers to go anti-Google, but of course, it is possible. Either way, Google will go after paid links and other search spam techniques, no matter who is doing it.
But does a former Googlers have an advantage in doing this and staying one step ahead? Do they still have inside contacts at Google to stay ahead of the game? Is this Googler using his former status and job history for his benefit? Is any of this true?
Who knows...
This is the first time I've heard of such a case and many Googlers have left Google over the years.
Forum discussion at Twitter.
Source: Search Engine Roundtable