Whoa! Google confirmed the authenticity of 2,500 leaked internal documents detailing data collection practices, the underlying search ranking algorithm, and data usage. While Google said it could be a genuine set of data, it warned readers and users against using it because it could be incomplete or outdated.
The Verge cited a Google spokesperson who cautioned readers not to make assumptions based on out-of-context information, saying, “We would caution against making inaccurate assumptions about Search based on out-of-context, outdated, or incomplete information. We’ve shared extensive information about how Search works and the types of factors that our systems weigh, while also working to protect the integrity of our results from manipulation.”
The document was leaked to SEO expert Rand Fishkin by someone who claimed to be in Google’s search division.
The leak provides insight into Google’s search algorithm, which affects various industries relying on web visibility.
