# Google Bows to Scientology! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 21, 2002, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318 "2002-03-21T08:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/1 "2002-03-21T08:56:24Z")
[A news-in-progress page from Operatingthetan.com](http://www.operatingthetan.com/google/) [The morons.org article where I first learned of this. (The owner of morons.org uses nonstandard advanced features so this page may not be accessable to everyone.)](http://www.morons.org/articles/7/1472) Yes, Google has bowed to the Cult of Scientology, removing links to [Operation Clambake](http://www.xenu.net/), the pre-eminent anti-Scientology website, from its directory. You cannot find any reference to it by searching for the word ‘scientology’. Why? The DMCA. The CoS threatened legal action if Google didn’t stop linking to sites that spread copyrighted religious material. Yes, you read right. The Cult of Scientology has copyrighted all of its religious material and will use the DMCA to prevent people from being critical of it. The Cultists have no concept of Fair Use, and neither do our courts, anymore. This comes after the CoS had managed to artificially raise the Google-assigned relevance (PageRank) of its pages by obssessively cross-linking them. My first link explains in some detail how they did it (scroll down to the pictures). Basically, Google assigns PageRank based on how many other pages that meet the same criteria link to a given page. By maniacally cross-linking, the CoS has managed to artificially inflate the scores of its own pages and, by the same token, deflate the scores of those that criticize it. Google is still the best, technically-speaking. It is owned, however, by a bunch of goddamned collaborators who deserve nothing but contempt. Link to Operation Clambake! [http://www.xenu.net/](http://www.xenu.net/) ---
**Author:** ![Vic\_Ferrari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@Vic\_Ferrari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vic_Ferrari)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/2 "2002-03-21T09:16:13Z")
The Daily Rotten story where the [morons.org](http://morons.org) page points to claims that “The search engine Google is censoring the Internet’s leading critic of the Church of Scientology, Operation Clambake. The site has been completely removed from the search engine and from the Google Directory, which uses data from the Open Directory Project, DMOZ.” I just went to Google and searched for “scientology clambake” and the first hit was for a [www.xenu.net](http://www.xenu.net) page. So it would appear that the article is either outdated or just plain wrong. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/3 "2002-03-21T13:39:59Z")
> [@](#): > > I just went to Google and searched for “scientology clambake” and the first hit was for a [www.xenu.net](http://www.xenu.net) page. So it would appear that the article is either outdated or just plain wrong. I went to the [morons.org](http://morons.org) article and scanned down the viewer comments. They point out that the article states that Operation Clambake had been removed from the Google Directory, but this doesn’t affect the Search engine. It might be a subtle thing (I’m sure more folks use the search engine), but it’s still disgusting. I’ve done many searches on various engines for material critical of the CoS, where I’ve been inundated with the Church’s own sites. They’re evidently trying to prevent access to critical sites. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/4 "2002-03-21T13:46:20Z")
I searched for _Clambake_ and [xenu.net](http://xenu.net) did show up as the first return in Google. I then search for $cientology and almost everything was either pro $cientology or strictly “information”. However on the 4th page of the search results a link[Xenu.net in Italian](http://xenu.com-it.net/) showed up. I should point out that my knowledge of Italian is very, very limited, so I don’t know if that site is anti-$cientology or not. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/5 "2002-03-21T14:09:35Z")
“scientology critical” in the Search Engine just gave me at least 4 opponent links (including Scientology Lies and the Canadian site for Xenu) in the first page, among other, favorable sites. The ElRons raise the listing rank of their own sites and try to drown out the visibility of their critics’ through the use of “googlebombs” – embedding the most common search phrases into numerous mutual links betwen their own sites. Apparently what Google has removed are direct links to Xenu from Google’s own directory section – still a display of rank wussness; but by now entirely unsurprising coming from corporate America. And BTW, way to fucking go, distinguished gentlemen who approved the DMCA. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/6 "2002-03-21T14:45:40Z")
[Hmmmmmmmm](http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Opposing_Views/Scientology/). What’s the first link in the list? ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/7 "2002-03-21T14:49:40Z")
BTW, Operation Clambake is in the “Opposing Views” section in the Open Directory, too. No conspiracy here, cheif! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/8 "2002-03-21T15:02:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\*I searched for _Clambake_ and [xenu.net](http://xenu.net) did show up as the first return in Google. > > I then search for $cientology and almost everything was either pro $cientology or strictly “information”. However on the 4th page of the search results a link[Xenu.net in Italian](http://xenu.com-it.net/) showed up. I should point out that my knowledge of Italian is very, very limited, so I don’t know if that site is anti-$cientology or not. \*\* Actually, your knowledge of Italian doesn’t need to be _that_ comprehensive. The first two words are ALLARME SCIENTOLOGY, followed by > [@](#): > > Biblioteca di informazione critica su Scientology/Dianetics la contorversa mulitnazionale fondata da L. Ron Hubbard I’d say it’s probably anti-$cientology. BTW, did anyone try a Google search actually using the dollar sign in place of the “S”? ---
**Author:** ![Vic\_Ferrari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@Vic\_Ferrari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vic_Ferrari)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/9 "2002-03-21T18:51:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CalMeacham \* > **I went to the [morons.org](http://morons.org) article and scanned down the viewer comments. They point out that the article states that Operation Clambake had been removed from the Google Directory, but this doesn’t affect the Search engine.** I realize that **black455** hadn’t posted when you made this comment **CalMeacham** , but I want to make sure that what **black455** has posted is clear. Operation Clambake _is_ still in the Google directory. You can find it here: [Society \> Religion and Spirituality \> Opposing Views \> Scientology](http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Opposing_Views/Scientology/) It’s even the first link. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/10 "2002-03-21T18:55:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\*I searched for _Clambake_ and [xenu.net](http://xenu.net) did show up as the first return in Google. > > I then search for $cientology and almost everything was either pro $cientology or strictly “information”. However on the 4th page of the search results a link[Xenu.net in Italian](http://xenu.com-it.net/) showed up. I should point out that my knowledge of Italian is very, very limited, so I don’t know if that site is anti-$cientology or not. \*\* The very use of the word “Xenu” should be a tipoff that this is a site critical of scientology. “Xenu” is one of those embarassing aspects of the scientology fairy tale that they’d just as soon not mention or let be known. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/11 "2002-03-21T18:58:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kaylasdad99 \* > \*\* > > Actually, your knowledge of Italian doesn’t need to be _that_ comprehensive. The first two words are ALLARME SCIENTOLOGY, followed by > > I’d say it’s probably anti-$cientology.\*\* Please don’t make me add roll eyes to every sarcastic thing I post. \*\* > [@](#): > > BTW, did anyone try a Google search actually using the dollar sign in place of the “S”? \*\* [You get some funny stuff](http://www.peghole.com/mare/vis/cartoon.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/12 "2002-03-21T19:03:36Z")
I’ve heard those jokers are on their last legs. True? False? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/13 "2002-03-21T19:23:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by black455 \* > \*\*[Hmmmmmmmm](http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Opposing_Views/Scientology/). > > What’s the first link in the list? \*\* [http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/](http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/) is the first link that I see. Operation Clambake isn’t even listed. ---
**Author:** ![Vic\_Ferrari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@Vic\_Ferrari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vic_Ferrari)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/14 "2002-03-21T20:03:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hastur \* > \*\*[http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/](http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/) is the first link that I see. Operation Clambake isn’t even listed. \*\* It’s changed within the last hour. Very strange. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Chief\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Crunch)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/15 "2002-03-21T21:03:11Z")
I think the point is this. If you did a google search for “scientology” [xenu.net](http://xenu.net) would come up as the fourth link, now it won’t come up in the regular links at all as a result of that search. ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/16 "2002-03-22T01:07:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chief Crunch \* > \*\*I think the point is this. If you did a google search for “scientology” [xenu.net](http://xenu.net) would come up as the fourth link, now it won’t come up in the regular links at all as a result of that search. \*\* Um, actually, I just did exactly that search, and Operation Clambake was the fourth result. ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/17 "2002-03-22T01:16:03Z")
Mr. Miskatonic, what’s this Xenu sham thingy about? ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/18 "2002-03-22T01:18:51Z")
oh, and on the $cientology search thing, I found this as the first hit: [http://www.peghole.com/mare/vis/cartoon.html](http://www.peghole.com/mare/vis/cartoon.html) hilarious! Anti-sci cartoons! ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/19 "2002-03-22T01:27:35Z")
Notice the ‘News’ link at the top of this page: [Google search for scientology](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&q=scientology) Yep, it says ‘Google pulls anti-Scientology links’. It’s from CNET. Google has acknowledged the negative press and decided that it isn’t worth losing business over a bunch of loony cultists. In other words, reason has prevailed. This is proof that the open market can fix problems like these much better than legal action. The clams threatened with the law, we threatened with horrible, horrible press, and we won. I’m feeling good right now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318/20 "2002-03-22T01:32:13Z")
I want to state something for the record: I posted the OP at around 0100 MST (or 0800 GMT), and it was true and (relatively) recent news at the time. The problem had been resolved after this thread was started. So don’t look at me like I’m an idiot (any more than you already do). I was doing some late-night surfing and came across something I could not let stand, which I verified at the time. Changes after the fact could not be reflected in my OP. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-bows-to-scientology/99318.md?page=2)