Google needs help ranking itself on Google. Wait, what?
On Tuesday the company posted a job description for a full-time 'Program Manager, Search Engine Optimization' on its careers portal.
The aim of the role will be to drive "organic traffic and business growth," a move that may hint at Google's desire to not only rank high in its own search engine but also others including Bing.
If you're looking to apply you will need to have a BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering and "excellent problem solving skills." Well, that's probably a given if Google needs help ranking itself in its own search engine.
While some could make light of the posting, it could have more serious implications for the tech giant who is facing an antitrust investigation by the European Commission.
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In June, Getty Images joined a host of other companies including Microsoft, who say Google has been distorting its search results to favour its own products.
In a blog for The Huffington Post, CEO of new service One News Page Marc Pinter-Krainer wrote:
"You see, Google has grown its business enormously to encompass not only the search engine for which it became known, but also products and services in a multitude of verticals such as mapping, news, videos, shopping, flights, and many more.
It has done so by leveraging its unique position in handling the vast majority of all online searches in order to promote its own products - which, as recognised by European anti-trust law, is unlawful."
However, Frank Fine senior counsel at DeHeng law offices in Brussels told US news why the charge against Google could falter quickly:
“Google is only essential since people want to use it, not because they have to use it,” he says. “I think the commission's argument is extremely weak."
Google has 90% of the search engine market share, a proportion that the new recruit will presumably be expected to grow.
In exchange, the company is offering potential employees the opportunity to "change the world" -- presumably the one that lives in the SEO universe.