They made a statement within the last few years that they don't use GA data for ...

earthboundkid · on April 8, 2020

Is there a link to that? I've always suspected they feed GA data back into SER. But I don't know one way or the other.

It does seem like Google is in a textbook case of dumping to prevent new competitors from arising though.

Yizahi · on April 8, 2020

As yes, I remember that statement - "Don't be evil" - that one, right?

ForHackernews · on April 8, 2020

Bull shit they don't. Let's see a sworn statement by a Google executive in court or else I don't believe it.

blast · on April 8, 2020

The point people are making is that it's subtler than that. They don't need GA for a surveillance machine. They've already got one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea8GyscSFaQ.

It's more valuable to them to be able to truthfully say they don't add GA data to it. Meanwhile offering GA for free chokes out that competitive avenue to anyone else.