Angie's List is one of those supremely ethics-challenged, right wing dominated corporations which, through all-pervasive PR, has been able to cultivate a friendly corporate image. I frequently research Angie's List, and I've noticed this for half a year: whenever I search Google News for "Angie's List", I obtain scores of hits that cannot be described as anything but links to promotional information for the company. Google News normally identifies "ads" (see image), but these are news format links about such mundane commercial topics as:
Why Angie's List Publishes a Print Magazine
Angie's List ideas to bring your kitchen into the 21st century
Angie's List: When Should You Tip A Contractor?
Angie's List Advice: Home automation systems offer safety, convenience
Angie's List: Garage door safety and maintenance
Angie's List: How to determine who to tip and how much
Angie's List: Remodeling your outdoor space
Angie's List: Extended car warranties
Angie's List Report: Fall Home Check-Up
Angie's List: Tips on Working With a Travel Agent
Angie's List: 5 easy kitchen upgrades
And those are just a few of the top twenty NEWS links. Why?
A search for "angie's list" on Google News
I think it is possible that the explanation resides not so much with Google itself, but with the relationship between Angie's List and local news publications. Does Angie's List provide the articles to content-starved news outlets on condition that they routinely flag them as news?
Is there any other company that is so favored by Google News linking?
Is there an undisclosed commercial relationship, a conflict of interest, or perhaps an ethical breach here? Comment, please!
Also please see my recent blog post about Angie's List actually making news, here.