BP "Rents' Search Words

Numerous news sources are indicating today that BP (British Petroleum) is “renting” key search words on Google, Yahoo and Bing Search engines in an attempt to have some control over the public’s first contact to information concerning the oil spill in the Gulf. BP is paying as much as $7500 per day to have their website appear first on search results for such phrases as “Oil Spill”, “Gulf Oil”, “Louisiana Coast Spill”, etc. BP indicates that by paying for top position for these searches, they can “make it easier for people to find key links to information on filing claims, reporting oil on the beach, and signing up to volunteer," as well as learn about BP's efforts to fix the spill. Critics believe it is an attempt to control PR and to limit damage to the company’s already besmirched reputation.
WWN’s own search of key words does indicate that in many if not most search phrases, a BP website does appear at the top of the search page. This web site does contain news, video and links to State specific response websites. Most images are of workers, ships and cleanup crews on white sand beaches. There are some images of oil-fouled wildlife and coated beaches but they are not prominently displayed.