Google

[Ross Byers]

I was wondering if member profiles should be hidden from search engines (perhaps via robots.txt) I recently discovered that my Paizo profiles is the #2 link for my name in Google. It is the first link that is actually for me, and is above even the page for my job (the previous #2 link). I like it here, but I'm not sure how much I like having my profile listed on google.

The number of Paizo customers who use their real names on these boards in not small, and would be in much the same situation.

[Andrew Turner]

Real names! Pshaw! No-one uses their real---

...

...

...crap.

[mwbeeler]

I'm ok with someone googling me up and finding my posts here (say, a potential employer). Honestly if I'd be discriminated against for something I posted, well, I'm probably not going to be too happy working there. Somehow I doubt there would be much to base an identity theft on either, as there are much better (and terrifying) places to go for that sort of thing (Go to Intelius).

Besides, most googles for Mike Beeler turn up some country singer (Name stealing bastige!), while all searches for my father turn up him (which is semi-creepy, but his name is rather unique).

[Zynete]

I am okay with because I feel the number of results for my name is too weak. That and there are some ... embarrassing things I would like to have buried in the depths of the Google search. I want them buried so far that they never see the light of day.

I don't think my posts here will have a negative effect on myself.

Edit: Well... they won't have a negative effect compared to the other things out there.

[Andrew Turner]

mwbeeler wrote:

I'm ok with someone googling me up and finding my posts here (say, a potential employer). Honestly if I'd be discriminated against for something I posted, well, I'm probably not going to be too happy working there...

I'm a Major in the Army and my nickname amongst my peers is *surprise!*, the Dungeon Master, so I'm not too worried either. Plus, being in the government, my personal info is public anyway.

[Matthew Morris]

I've two evil twins in Columbus, and share my name with a baseball player and a former mouseketeer (seriously, try it) so I'm pretty low on the list. ;-)

Edit: I didn't know that Andrew, thank you for your service.

[kahoolin]

My players found my profile, which means they can then search for my posts and see what I say about them and what I might be planning.

Is that a good enough reason not to list our profiles with Google? :)