The Failure of Google's Algorithm

Google has thrown in the towel. Despite years of insisting that Google can solve any and all spam through their automated algorithmic processes - Google, in partnership with the major blog software makers and blogging providers have announced a special tag which will nullify any benefit generated by the posting of "comment spam" in blogs.

This special "nofollow" tag will not punish sites with links using this tag, but the will receive no benefit - neither anchor text, nor PageRank benefit. MSN and Yahoo have announced they too will support the tag.

Format is as follows:

<a href="http://www.example.com/" rel="nofollow">keyword</a>

Complete Statement at the Googleblog

Free Spyware Removal Tool - From Microsoft

I have been a staunch user of AdAware - the free anti spyware tool from Lavasoft, and I also use SpyBot Search and Destroy, and you could say that I am one of the most careful internet users online - I never install "free" programs on my main machine, because I know the will come bundled with a host of spyware and adware nasties.

However, despite my constant, cautious maintenance and scanning, the new Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) was able to detect 4 (four!) deeply integrated programs that neither AdAware nor SpyWare Search & Destroy detected.

That just infuriates me. I don't know how it got in, but there it was. So, all in all, a great tool to have in your Anti Spyware arsenal.

• Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta


• Ad-Aware


• SpyWare Search and Destroy

Happy Hunting!