What Google's New Stance on Copyright Infringement Means to Your Business

Posting copyrighted material on your website could get you booted from search results.

learn more about Mikal E. Belicove

By Mikal E. Belicove

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

What Googles New Stance on Copyright Infringement Means to Your Business

Google currently accounts for over 66 percent of all online searches in the U.S. With this kind of market prominence, business owners should keep an eye on the slew of recent changes that Google has made to its search algorithm, especially one that may have serious implications for business search results.

Google is now taking into account the number of valid copyright removal notices it receives for a website. Sites receiving removal notices because they contain copyright-infringing content may now appear lower in search result pages, or worse, may be removed from Google's index altogether.

Copyright removal notices are typically filed when a rights holder believes their content (photos, videos, illustrations, articles, audio files, etc.) has been used without their permission. So, a photo posted on your company's blog that you lifted without permission from a Google Images search is likely to damage your search results.

Related: Google Testing New Search Feature for Gmail Users

The Google Transparency Report showcases all requests Google receives to remove copyright-infringing content from its search index. According to the report, the search giant has logged over 4.6 million such requests in just the last 30 days alone. That's more than the total number of requests Google received in all of 2009.

Related: What Google's Panda and Penguin Updates Mean for the Future of SEO

While the majority of take down requests come from entertainment industry businesses, anyone is free to file such a claim. Which is why you and your website management team need to remain vigilant about what appears on your site.

First, if your website hosts pirated content, remove it immediately. Even if you think your site is free of copyright-infringing content, it's a good idea to audit the entire site.

Next, If your business allows users to upload content to its website, craft Terms & Conditions for your site that state that by uploading content, the user agrees that what they are posting doesn't infringement on a copyright. Then, make sure to include a process that blocks users from posting content to the site until they have agreed to the Terms & Conditions.

Finally, if you work with an outside company to manage your website's SEO, make sure they aren't filing erroneous claims against competitors on your behalf, in order to bump the competition down in search results. Those sort of "black hat" tactics will draw Goggle's attention, and harm your company in the end.

Related: Make Sure Your SEO is Wearing a White Hat

Mikal E. Belicove

Mikal E. Belicove is a market positioning, social media, and management consultant specializing in website usability and business blogging. His latest book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook, is now available at bookstores. 

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

This 61-Year-Old Grandma Who Made $35,000 in the Medical Field Now Earns 7 Figures in Retirement
A 'Quiet Promotion' Will Cost You a Lot — Use This Expert's 4-Step Strategy to Avoid It
3 Red Flags on Your LinkedIn Profile That Scare Clients Away
'Everyone Is Freaking Out.' What's Going On With Silicon Valley Bank? Federal Government Takes Control.
Leadership

How to Detect a Liar in Seconds Using Nonverbal Communication

There are many ways to understand if someone is not honest with you. The following signs do not even require words and are all nonverbal queues.

Celebrity Entrepreneurs

'I Dreaded Falling in Love.' Rupert Murdoch Is Getting Hitched for the Fifth Time.

The 92-year-old media tycoon announces he will wed former San Francisco police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith.

Leadership

How Great Entrepreneurs Find Ways to Win During Economic Downturns

Recessions are an opportunity to recalibrate and make great strides in your business while others are unprepared to brave the challenges. Here's how great entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success despite economic uncertainty.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas To Start Right Now

To start one of these home-based businesses, you don't need a lot of funding -- just energy, passion and the drive to succeed.

Starting a Business

Selling Your Business? Do These 6 Things Right Now.

If you want the maximum price you need to make these moves before you do anything else.

Business News

'Invest In That Future Now Before It's Too Late': Bill Gates Calls For Global Pandemic Response Team In Op-Ed

In the same month that the World Health Organization called the coronavirus a pandemic three years ago, billionaire Bill Gates reiterated his call for a "fire department for pandemics."