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# If All Else Fails, Smear
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/if-all-else-fails-smear/
- Published: 2013-02-08T15:23:54.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-11T20:30:32.000Z
- Description: When you can't build a better mousetrap, you might as well smear people, right?
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Platforms, Strategy, Google, Microsoft, The Age of the Platform

[![platform](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/platform-51.jpg)](https://tinyurl.com/7philmnr?ref=philsimon.com)

Microsoft is back at it with its Google [smear campaign](https://www.geekwire.com/2013/microsofts-scroogled-ads-smarter/?ref=philsimon.com). If you believe Ballmer et. al, Google employees are reading individual emails to serve up better ads.

Bullocks!

To my knowledge, Google employees don't read any Gmail messages. Rather, algorithms serve up ads to support free products. This is the essence of the freemium model.

Do the math on the number of emails sent. Does Google employ a team of monkeys reading these emails?

## Simon Says 

Come on, Ballmer. Innovate more and complain less. You might be better off.

Most Google smears come from Microsoft these days. Most Microsoft smears seem to be coming from Microsoft customer and users.