So you write a public review of a business, and then you're upset because Google shows people that review?
I really don't get it. What if your review was the first search result instead? Isn't that the same thing?
If I search for a product on Amazon, it shows me the number of stars for each product, and if I click on that it shows me excerpts of different people's reviews. How is that any different? http://imgur.com/7FC2jfx
Nowhere do the ToS limit this to "public reviews." The ToS say that ads may display "your Profile name, Profile photo, and actions you take on Google or on third-party applications connected to your Google Account."
"Actions you take on Google" is incredibly broad, and could be construed to include your email activity, web searches, Google Checkout purchases, etc. This is what concerns me: I can't say for certain which of my actions may show up in ads. They claim that I can control these, but I can't find a way to disable them without making a Google+ account.
"Actions you take on Google" is indeed frighteningly broad. But although I'm not a legal expert, I think that the sentence you quoted has to be interpreted in a different way when you consider the entire paragraph, which limits the scope of that sentence.
"If you have a Google Account, we may display your Profile name, Profile photo, and actions you take on Google or on third-party applications connected to your Google Account (such as +1’s, reviews you write and comments you post) in our Services, including displaying in ads and other commercial contexts. We will respect the choices you make to limit sharing or visibility settings in your Google Account."
I interpret that last sentence as "only things that are publicly shared by you are subject to being displayed". I assume that means that email, privately shared G+ posts, web searches, etc. are safe from becoming public. Although I agree it's very vague.
Context matters. If I say something about a product in a comment or review, it will usually be seen as my honest opinion. However, if the same statement appears in a paid advert, it may appear as if I was endorsing the product for personal gain.
In other words, the whiff of dishonesty that adverts always have may rub off on me.
No. I'm upset if it's not shown. I write 1 star reviews as well. There appears to be no commitment to show reviews fairly instead of selling 5 star reviews to the higher bidder. Compare and contrast with the care for fairness in the core search functionality.
I like Amazon's best rated 5 and 1 star review comparison. I don't mind when one of my ratings comes up at the top either. The most truth lies always in the honest "bad rating" reviews (well, almost always) that others found useful. I really hope that Google does not just please their advertising customers and only show praising reviews but also the critical ones too. Let's wait and see if it's awesome.
I'm not sure that's true, but that's not what this is about. When I search for something I want to know which places my friends have +1'd. I want the best, not the worst. I don't think Google is taking away the ability for you to see the bad reviews if you go click on badly reviewed local/search place.
I don't mind my image used in search results. That's not what you opt out of (you've no control over that, actually). The screenshots on the page are deceptive. https://plus.google.com/settings/endorsements?hl=en The third screenshot, of the avatar icon on top of a shaded background marked "Ad" is what you can opt out of, and what everyone's concerned about.
I opted out. For me, it's not privacy. I opted out because I didn't want my face taking up more real estate on an ad and pushing result #1 further down the page. I don't like seeing ads, and I don't want to be seen in them either -- unless you're paying me, perhaps.
- Reviews have helped me a lot in choosing better products and services thus saving time. I always search for reviews in Amazon, Flipkart and in Google before I make a buying decision.
- And a Social graph on top of reviews = win. Social reviews means, better buying decisions.
Social reviews will only help Internet community move forward!
- Lets not forget that — Google has the most Credible accounts(read-as verified) so this keeps reviews - real, unbiased and the data credible.
But, they should make sure that - they show updated reviews, not stale ones!
A Product review might remain the same(phone review), but a Service review(restaurant) might change over-time.
Finally, I wish good products and services for myself. And with social reviews, we are only helping each-other in a better and safer Internet experience.
Critics don't write reviews to be used for promotion. More experienced reviewers try to construct their articles in such a way that they are difficult to quote.
I really don't get it. What if your review was the first search result instead? Isn't that the same thing?
If I search for a product on Amazon, it shows me the number of stars for each product, and if I click on that it shows me excerpts of different people's reviews. How is that any different? http://imgur.com/7FC2jfx