In Key Analyst Guest Blogs on Yahoo!'s Weblog, PR blogger Steve Rubel asks the questions I've been expecting someone to ask about Danny Sullivan's recent appearance on the Search Blog:

Will people now begin to question Danny's objectivity? Danny is a former client. From my brief experience working with him, I can assure you that he has the utmost integrity and a sterling reputation. He's a professional. But I am wondering if this move might change how he's perceived. Will people think he's in bed with Yahoo!?

Had it been someone else, I might have been worried. But Danny Sullivan is putting his reputation on the line. If he says great things about Yahoo, it's because he believes those things. To do so for any other reason would be putting his credibility at risk.

Posted by jzawodn at September 13, 2004 08:48 PM

Reader Comments
# Tony Gentile said:

Yahoo could, and should -- and I apologize in advance if they already have and I missed it -- clearly state its policy on renumeration, etc for its blog authors and guest authors.

While bias is a separate issue, knowing that guest bloggers like Danny are not compensated in any way, shape or form (and that a Yahoo! employee would be terminated for doing so) would go a long way to quiet the critics.

$0.02

on September 13, 2004 09:07 PM
# Jeremy Zawodny said:

Tony:

Good point. We'll make that clear.

on September 13, 2004 09:15 PM
# Danny Sullivan said:

I added some comments to Steve's original post, basically saying that I'd certainly be very likely to guest blog for another major search engine if asked. But as for the compensation question, just wanted to add that I didn't receive any payment in response to blogging for them. That would have been a conflict.

on September 14, 2004 03:50 AM
# Andy Beal said:

After knowing Danny for a few years, I can say that Danny is the last person I would expect to have any bias when it comes to the search engines. Very few can comment and analyze this industry without any bias, Danny is one of them.

on September 14, 2004 06:23 AM
# Chris said:

I think John Battelle feels a little bit left out: (heh)

I think Danny's the best, but I'd probably take a pass on this one (then again, they didn't ask!).

on September 14, 2004 11:08 AM
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. My current, past, or previous employers are not responsible for what I write here, the comments left by others, or the photos I may share. If you have questions, please contact me. Also, I am not a journalist or reporter. Don't "pitch" me.

 

Privacy: I do not share or publish the email addresses or IP addresses of anyone posting a comment here without consent. However, I do reserve the right to remove comments that are spammy, off-topic, or otherwise unsuitable based on my comment policy. In a few cases, I may leave spammy comments but remove any URLs they contain.