Website Banished for Trying to Game Google Searches

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — On Christmas Day, RapGenius.com pretty much disappeared from Google's search engine.

The reason? RapGenius.com was penalized by Google after acknowledging that it had violated the company’s rules regarding gaming the system and optimizing search results.

This recent story behind the exploits of RapGenius.com is a precautionary tale for any business or personality, including those who ply their trade in the adult entertainment industry.

RapGenius.com is a startup with $15 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz that provides translations of rap lyrics. For instance, if you're trying to figure out what Jay-Z is talking about in "99 Problems," for instance, RapGenius.com will spell it out. 

Google's search results are based on scores of factors, but at its most fundamental level, the engine measures how many other sites are linking to a site to determine where you should be in search rankings. 

RapGenius.com, apparently, had a plan to fudge a bit, asking people to add links to RapGenius.com pages on their sites.

But Google caught on and banished RapGenius.com.

Now, searching for the phrase "Rap Genius" won't bring up the website until the fifth page of a search.

You might get its Twitter page, its Wikipedia entry and its Facebook page, but you won't get a direct link to the website.  

RapGenius, whose operators are seeking peace with Google, earlier this week wrote an open letter of apology admitting that it had been inflating its Google traffic rankings by giving shout-outs on Twitter to bloggers in exchange for linking back to RapGenius.com.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Show More