Google doesn't like balisongs

K

Knife Outlet

Joined
Jan 4, 1999
Messages
3,000
I ordered some advertising on the search engine Google and got the following reply. Since Yahoo uses Google, I'm switching to another search engine personally after 7 years with Yahoo. They have a right to like or dislike whatever they want to. It bothers me when they do their little part to stop trade in a legal product they don't approve of. Another example of people trying to limit my rights. It doesn't bother them that people can find extreme pornography and terrorist recruitment on their search engine. It bothers them when someone wants to promote a website that sells something they don't want people to have. Just a personal hangup, I guess. Here's the text of the email. Thought you might find it interesting. We'll now get busy expanding our offering of butterfly knives.

"We are not able to run the following ad you have created using the
Google AdWords Advertising Program:

Headline: Knife Outlet
Line one: The knives you want
Line two: at internet prices!
Home Page URL: www.knifeoutlet.com
Link to URL: http://www.knifeoutlet.com

Thank you for advertising on Google. We are able to run you advertisements on
Google as long as you are not advertising Butterfly knives. We understand
you do offer other products, but we do reserve the right to exercise editorial
discretion and are no longer accepting ads for Butterfly knives. We apologize
for any inconvenience."
 
... we do reserve the right to exercise editorial
discretion and are no longer accepting ads for Butterfly knives. We apologize for any inconvenience."
Click to expand...
I guess, in this case, "inconvenience" and "self-righteousness" are interchangeable terms. Fargem.
 
It sucks, but it is a sign of the times. There is a huge backlash against knives right now. Balisongs are regarded by some in the same way they think of switchblades. They consider them to be primarily weapons, not tools. That is propagated by the media and movies. This misconception has caused the balisong to be totally outlawed in Canada. It pisses me off to no end, but that is just the way it is. I do not know if it is possible to change the public conception of this knife. I doubt it.

As far as them accepting those other kinds of ads. I guess that tells you a lot right there. Obviously they feel more people are accepting of these kinds of ads than ones for balisongs. That tells you a lot about people in general.


Edited to correct a typo. Someday I am going to learn how to type.
 
I couldn't send a text message from their ad area, so I went to their hiring area and sent one to their VP.

I invited them to come onto BF and defend their actions, and I let them know I won't use their services, I will actively discourage others from doing so, and I labeled them "intolerant." :mad:

And I don't even OWN a butterfly knife...

Karl
 
Hi Danelle. I just went to Google, clicked on their home site, then after trying their ad site (you send your contact info on a form and they get back to you--not what I wanted to do), I went to their "hiring" section. They have email addresses for sending in RESUMES! That's what I used as my virtual "target."

Obviously, I wasn't looking for a job, though. :)

Sorry I'm no good at posting "links," but I'm rather technically limited on these com-pute-ers. It's a miracle I can function as well as I already do. :)

Karl
 
Well I just got a "response" from Google--an automatic electronic email response, of course.

"We appreciate your interest in joining the Google team." :barf:

Etc. Etc...

Hey, if you want to submit your, uh, "resume," here is their address:

jobs@google.com

(this is where my first email went--re: the "VP/director of operations")

And here is their "Google staffing addy:

http://www.google.com/jobs.html

(if you go here, you'll just get the jobs site with links to the above address)

Tell em you want to be paid in Balisongs!!

Karl

PS: Yeah, I'm sending 'em another message, cause I hate automatic email answering machines...:mad:
 
Ladies and/or Gentlemen:

Thanks for your blind--er--KIND automated email response to my initial inquiry!

Yes, I am available to conduct some "diversity" and "tolerance" workshops for your top executives. Please send me a lot of money for a rental car (mine are kinda old, and the airlines won't let me carry knives), hotel accomodations, and my flat fee of $100 per six-hour day to train your people in recognizing the validity of "alternative knifestyles."

Each session will introduce your folks to the history, technology, and lure of knives. We will all have a chance to learn about, use, and yes--CELEBRATE-- fine blades, including BUTTERFLY KNIVES, switchblades, fixed blades, swords, tactical folders, etc! My program, "A World of Knives" has been applauded in many corners of the, uh, room, and is top rated by all the usual, certified EXPERTS (whoever and wherever they lurk).

I will also require your address, and I'll need a month or two advanced notice to get some time off my security job.

I am really looking forward to networking with your people and teaching them about the multiculturalism of blades. Thank you for your interest!

Sincerely yours,

Karl Spaulding, "The Safety Guy"
spaulding.10@osu.edu

Resume unnecessary--it's sooo "dead white male"--let me know if you want a video of me singing and dancing through the tulips, though!
 
I dropped 'em an e-mail this morning letting them know that they'd been mentioned here. I explained to them that this forum has about 15,000 readers world-wide.

Some people may say, "Well, that's just balisongs."

But what next? The fact is that balisongs are rarely if ever used in any crimes. I've searched and searched and it's like one or two cases per year. Balisongs are the knives LEAST likely to be use in a crime. If google, or any other site, objects to these, how much more so to any other knife? I say stop this before it starts.

Now, here's the question I have for you folks: what other search engines do you prefer?
 
I am very disappointed to hear this. I use google almost exclusively as a search tool. It is a good engine, and I am saddened by this news. Click here for some contact information which regards feedback specifically about the AdWords program. I was going to call them but figured this would have more of a chance of getting to people who could do something in their department.

And as Chuck said, this sort of thing is becoming more and more common. People are demonizing knives in general, and just because they start with "scarier seeming" ones like balisongs or autos doesn't mean they won't eventually get around to the rest of them. Maybe we should all write them politely expressing how we feel about this. Imagine if they got an email from every member. That's over 14,000. Lurkers should feel free to participate too. :eek: I have to run off to a class now, but I plan on composing an email as soon as I get back.
 
I better drop them a line too. Not too often a street thug would use an exotic and collectable knife to perpetrate a crime.
 
So far I haven't gotten an automated email response to my generous "A World of Knives" course offering. How many business seminars do you all know of for only $100 a day? Huh? HUH?? :D

I can only assume they are seriously considering having me teach it.

I now find myself without a sword to help me cut these inhumane chains of prejudice against "knifestyles." I don't think they'll be too impressed with my $18 Ontario machete.

Anyone got a REALLY MULTICULTURAL SWORD I could borrow to teach this course if they send me the money? No, wait...if they send me the money, I'll just buy my own!

Never mind, I'm set.

Karl
 
We the people should be the deciding factor on what we read, nobody else!!!!! I will give them my little F.U's.
 
I sent them a polite letter about the policy. Hopefully enough of us will, and they'll get the idea.

Please try not to send angry messages, that won't help anyone.
 
sended my responce...got this within 2 hours.



Please tell me where you are located so that the proper person may get back to you.

Thanks,

John Farrell


???? um...ok I don't see why that matters, but at least a person responded to my email. PROGRESS my friends!!!
 
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