And the Crowd Goes Wild, Ripoff Report De-Indexed by Google

For a brief moment on the 19th of August, marketers and businesses began to celebrate. What was first reported by Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Land was all too good to be true. Google had finally de-indexed Ripoff Report, the website that allows people to anonymously air their grievances against people and companies without fear of reprisal.

Ripoff Report De-Indexed by Google

Sure enough, a search for the site with numerous keyword terms failed to return results for the controversial website. Founded by Ed Magedson, the site has been met with resistance from the business community, many of whom claim that the site extorts them into its corporate advocacy program.

The 19th was a sign of hope for many who would like the site to go way permanently. Twitter blew up with comments expressing joy over the de-indexing. “Could this be the best day on the internet this year?” wrote one Twitter user.

Ripoff report removed from Google 2015

Of course, the joy did not last long. As predicted by another Twitter user, “it’s happened before, but it never lasts,” Ripoff Report was appearing again in Google. No comment from Google about how or why it was removed, but there is speculation.

Ripoff Report Indexed Again Twitter Barry Schwartz

“I’m theorizing a G employee made an error while processing a defamation removal request,” wrote another Twitter user. In a follow-up article, this time on SEO Roundtable, Schwartz asks users for their theories. While we may never know why Ripoff Report disappeared for brief moment, we can be sure that when it becomes permanent, there will be partying across the United States.

About the Author

Brian Horvath
Brian Horvath is a freelance writer from Michigan. He is a journalism graduate of Western Michigan University and is a regular contributor to numerous online magazines and journals, including Business2Community and Elite Daily.