Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is there a Google conspiracy against AAPL?
I just came across something kind of funny that has to do with AAPL that I wanted to share. Before I post the link I want to say that I think this is a coincidence and there is no hidden agenda behind it. Actually on the other hand Google is know for their not so subtle pokes at other companies.
If you visit Google Finance and type in the word “sell” without quotes you will be taken to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Here is the direct link using the keyword “sell” that takes you to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) on Google Finance.
We all know AAPL has taken a pounding the last several months. The reason could be because of poor public relations management, funds taking profit or any other number of things. The fact of the matter is Google Finance showing Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) under the keyword “sell” doesn’t bode well for AAPL regardless of which side of the fence you’re on.
This is the first time I have ever seen something like this on Google Finance what about you?
Update 6:27pm EST: Minutes after this article was picked up by several larger online publications it was removed from Google News completely where it was receiving a LOT of attention. This can be confirmed by visiting Google News here and pasting the title of this article in the address bar “Apple Inc. (AAPL) Does Google Want You to Sell Your Apple Shares?” with or without quotes.
You can also put the URL of this article in the Goolge News search bar and you will see (thank you Sara SEO):
“Your search – https://www.pfhub.com/apple-inc-aapl-does-google-want-you-to-sell-your-apple-shares-209/ – did not match any news results.”
In the above search you will see the organic listing of this article in Google but it’s clearly no longer published in Google News.
It looks like someone is not happy about the publishing of this article. I prepared for this earlier by taking a couple screen shots of the article featured in Google News.
News Removed 1 – Click for Larger Image
News Removed 2 – Click for Larger Image
Update 8:24pm EST: I just received an email from Jason Freidenfelds at Google – legitimacy of the email was confirmed. The email is posted below and I replied asking why the article was removed from Google news. I will post an update if I here back from Jason.
“Hi Daniel,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. This isn’t deliberate — our algorithms seem to be keying off of the words “sell” and “sells” in the description of this very popular stock symbol. We’re working on how to adjust things so it doesn’t happen anymore.
Thanks,
Jason”
Update 10:23pm EST: The keyword “sell” no longer brings up AAPL on Google Finance. For those that missed it you can view the image below.
Also for those who are interested I did receive a reply back from Jason Freidenfelds at Google regarding the disappearance of this article from Google News. I’m waiting until the email exchange is complete to post the outcome of the conversation.
Google Finance
Disclosure: Share Holder
Status: Long Hold