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Canada and Denmark using Google as Battleground

Posted by Zonk on from the fighting-for-mindspace dept.

TedRiot writes "Canada and Denmark are fighting over Hans Island using Google as battleground. A quick search of 'hans island' revealed a paid advertisement with the banner headline: 'Hans Island is Greenland. Greenland natives have used the island for centuries.' The ad was linked to the Danish government's foreign affairs web page with the letter condemning Graham's visit. Toronto resident Rick Broadhead placed a Google ad and said the Canadian government needs to get with the times." Reuters has coverage as well.

6 of 341 comments (clear)

  1. Some "battleground"... by daveschroeder · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Searching for "hans island" (both with and without enclosing quotes) returns nothing as described in the summary and articles.

    The first hit is an over-2-year-old Maritime Affairs (Canada) articleexplaining why Hans Island is (or should be) Canadian Territory. (Actually an interesting read...)

    The second hit is the Wikipedia article.

    In fact, the supposed site(s) is nowhere in the first page of hits.

    Or the second page.

    The news hits refer to Google supposedly having these ads, but that reference is somewhat circular, since I can't find the paid advertisement, banner, or site in question anywhere on Google.

    The sponsored (ad) links on the right sidebar include a Web Design ad, and the marginally entertaining:

    Hans Island - Dispute
    Why Worry about Hans Island When
    What you need is an Ergonomic Chair
    www.ergo4me.com

    A search for "Hans Island is Greenland" returns nothing but...you guessed it, the news articles claiming there's a paid site on Google that says "Hans Island is Greenland." Likewise for "Hans Island is {Canadian|Canada}." Now, I'm not saying the articles are lying (and perhaps Google pulled the ads for some reason), but since this article is exclusively about how the battle for Hans Island is being taken to Google, and is entitled "Politics: Canada and Denmark using Google as Battleground", well, I'd love to see it.

    Because I see nothing except someone pimping knockoff ergonomic chairs with eBay-style "searchsquatting".

    And, amusingly, as I'm typing this article, I see more paid hits appearing. Google started with one. Then the ergonomic chair ad was added. Now, as I'm about to post, there is a "Hans Island is Canada" link...by vaginainstitute.com, a site apparently dedicated to, erm, researching vaginas.

  2. blame canada by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    i hope the danes and canada go to war over this..
    with these two military powers squaring off somebody is bound to lose an eye

  3. It has to be said: by Anonymous+Crowhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!!!

  4. Wow, two superpowers battle it out... by B11 · · Score: 5, Funny
    This is what happens when you aren't bloodthirsty war-mongers. Instead of invading each other you decide to launch marketing campaigns on the internet.

    Canada being soft I understand, but Denmark? These people used to be Vikings, shessh!

    I say the settle it with a friendly game of Risk and call it a day.

    --
    insert inflammatory anti-microsoft comment here
  5. So there really isn't anything new under the sun? by ucahg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a Canadian, I must admit I've never heard of this debate until now. I find it intriguing, but even more so is the nature of the argument. Now perhaps its just me, but does it not remind you of two siblings fighting over a small toy?

    Except on a grander scale.

  6. Google Ad by justasecond · · Score: 5, Informative


    I wonder if the publicity (and slashdotting) forced the Google ad. over it's daily limit? (For those who don't know, when you buy a Google ad. you specify how much you want to pay for clicks per day -- go over that limit and your ad. doesn't appear.)

    Hmmm...now to "research" the vaginainstute.com ad...